This notice provides the semiannual agenda of the Department of the Interior (Department) rules scheduled for review or development between Spring 2025 and Spring 2026. The Regu...
This notice provides the semiannual agenda of the Department of the Interior (Department) rules scheduled for review or development between Spring 2025 and Spring 2026. The Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 require publication of the agenda.
ADDRESSES:
Unless otherwise indicated, all agency contacts are located at the Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please direct all comments and inquiries about these rules to the appropriate agency contact. Please direct general comments relating to the agenda to the Office of Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, at the address above or at (202) 513-0357.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
With this publication, the Department satisfies the requirement of Executive Order 12866 that the Department publish an agenda of rules that we have issued or expect to issue and of currently effective rules that we have scheduled for review.
Simultaneously, the Department meets the requirement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601et seq.) to publish an agenda in April and October of each year identifying rules that will have significant economic effects on a substantial number of small entities. We have specifically identified in the agenda rules that will have such effects. The complete Unified Agenda will be published at
www.reginfo.gov,
in a format that offers users enhanced ability to obtain information from the agenda database. Agenda information is also available at
www.regulations.gov,
the Government-wide website for submission of comments on proposed regulations.
In some cases, the Department has withdrawn rules that were placed on previous agendas for which there has been no publication activity or for which a proposed or interim rule was published. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this agenda. Withdrawal of a rule does not necessarily mean that the Department will not proceed with the rulemaking. Withdrawal allows the Department to assess the action further and determine whether rulemaking is appropriate. Following such an assessment, the Department may determine that certain rules listed as withdrawn under this agenda are appropriate for promulgation.
E. Michael Abler,
Deputy Director, Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs.
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement—Long-Term Actions
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
Identifier No.
102
Revisions to Decommissioning Requirements on the OCS
1014-AA53
United States Fish and Wildlife Service—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
Identifier No.
103
Importation, Exportation, and Transportation of Wildlife; Updates to the Regulations
1018-BF16
104
Migratory Bird Hunting; 2026-27 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations
1018-BI69
United States Fish and Wildlife Service—Final Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
Identifier No.
105
Migratory Bird Hunting; 2025-26 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations
1018-BH65
106
Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
1018-BI38
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
Identifier No.
107
Risk Management and Financial Assurance for Outer Continental Shelf Lease and Grant Obligations
1010-AE26
Bureau of Land Management—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence No.
Title
Regulation
Identifier No.
108
Rescission of the Intermittent Energy Rule
1004-AF32
109
Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost from Onshore Federal and Indian Leases
1004-AF33
( printed page 45529)
Department of the Interior
(DOI)
Long-Term Actions
Bureau of Safety and
Environmental
Enforcement
(BSEE)
102. REVISIONS TO DECOMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS ON THE OCS [1014-AA53]
Abstract: This proposed rule would address issues relating to (1) idle iron by adding a definition of this term to clarify that it applies to idle wells and structures on active leases; (2) abandonment in place of subsea infrastructure by adding regulations addressing when BSEE may approve decommissioning-in-place instead of removal of certain subsea equipment; and (3) other operational considerations.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
07/00/26
NPRM Comment Period End
10/00/26
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166
Abstract: This proposed rule would revise the FWS regulations governing the importation and exportation of wildlife. In conducting this rulemaking, FWS will review all sections of 50 CFR part 14 and propose necessary revisions. Some substantive changes that FWS is considering include clarifying and adding definitions; codifying our approach to compliance with the Freedom of Information Act; designating additional ports for wildlife trade and clarifying the regulations pertaining to ports; adding sections related to requirements for urine, feces, and synthetically derived DNA, exempt species, and international mail; removing a section related to personally owned pet birds; clarifying language related to declaration and clearance requirements; streamlining marking requirements; and updating the fee schedule to better reflect 2025 conditions.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
08/00/25
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Doug Ault, Assistant Director, Office of Law Enforcement, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: LEO, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803
Abstract: This rulemaking action would establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. FWS annually prescribes the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. After these frameworks are established, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for their hunting seasons.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
10/00/25
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Jerome Ford, Assistant Director-Migratory Bird Program, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-MB, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803
Abstract: This rulemaking action would establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. FWS annually prescribes the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. After these frameworks are established, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for their hunting seasons. Migratory bird management is a cooperative effort of Federal, State, and Tribal governments.
Agency Contact: Jerome Ford, Assistant Director-Migratory Bird Program, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-MB, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803
Abstract: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in our Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of “harm,” which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term “take.” We are
( printed page 45530)
undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA.
Agency Contact: Gina Shultz, Acting Assistant Director, Ecological Services, Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: ES, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
Abstract: This proposed rule would rescind BOEM's final rule “Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations.” The proposed rule would revise the criteria for determining whether oil, gas, and sulfur lessees, right-of-use and easement grant holders, and pipeline right-of-way grant holders are required to provide financial assurance above the current minimum bonding levels to ensure compliance with their Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act obligations. This rule, if finalized, would reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the OCS and would support the goals of E.O. 14154.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
01/00/26
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Karen Thundiyil, Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240
Abstract: The BLM is proposing to rescind the “Rights-of-Way, Leasing, and Operations for Renewable Energy” final rule, issued on May 1, 2024.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
10/00/25
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: Motunrayo Kemiki, Chief, Division of Renewable Energy, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20240
Abstract: This proposed rule would rescind BLM's final rule “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation,” consistent with the priorities identified in E.O. 14154 and SO 3418. The rule would reduce operator burdens.
Timetable:
Action
Date
FR Cite
NPRM
10/00/25
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
Agency Contact: John Ajak, Deputy Division Chief, Division of Fluid Minerals, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20240