The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day public scoping period on Monday to collect feedback on 44 oil and gas parcels in Utah. The parcels, totaling 74,664 acres, are being evaluated for inclusion in a December 2026 lease sale.
Details on Utah lease parcels
The parcels under consideration for the fourth-quarter sale are located across Uintah, Carbon, Grand, and San Juan counties. The public scoping period is scheduled to conclude on July 16, 2026.
The oil and gas leasing process
According to a press release from the Bureau of Land Management, leasing represents the initial stage in developing federal oil and gas resources. Before any development operations can commence, an operator is required to submit an application for a permit to drill that outlines specific development plans.
Permit review and environmental analysis
As part of the permitting process, the Bureau of Land Management reviews applications for permits to drill and posts them for public review. The agency also conducts environmental analyses and coordinates with various stakeholders and state partners.
How to submit public comments
Maps and specific instructions regarding how to submit comments are available through the Bureau of Land Management’s ePlanning website.
