Data / Federal rules / 2026-03364
Locatable Minerals
The Forest Service published this proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 20, 2026. Comments closed on April 21, 2026.
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What the agency says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Agency), is proposing to revise its regulations governing occupancy and use of the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with prospecting, exploration, development, mining, processing, and reclamation and reasonably incident uses authorized by U.S. mining laws and the Organic Administration Act of 1897. Regulatory revisions are needed to improve the efficiency and transparency of Forest Service regulation of locatable mineral operations conducted on National Forest System lands under the mining laws, and to minimize, to the fullest extent practicable, adverse impacts on surface resources. In addition, the revisions will support Federal policy to secure reliable and sustainable supplies of strategic and critical minerals in the United States.
Key facts
- Document number
- 2026-03364
- Type
- Proposed rule
- Action
- Proposed rule; request for public comment
- Agency
- Agriculture Department; Forest Service
- Published
- February 20, 2026
- Comments due
- April 21, 2026
- Dates
- Comments must be received in writing by April 21, 2026.
- Regulation ID (RIN)
- 0596-AD32
- Code of Federal Regulations
- 36 CFR 228
- Topics
- Environmental protection; Miners; Mines; National forests; Natural resources; Oil and gas exploration; Reclamation; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Surety bonds; Wilderness areas
- Significant
- Yes, under Executive Order 12866
- Pages
- 37
Other documents from the Forest Service
| Document | Type | Published |
|---|---|---|
| Project-Level Predecisional Administrative Review Process 2026-20890 | Final rule | Oct 13 |
| Purchaser Credit on Timber Sale Contracts 2026-20512 | Final rule | Oct 7 |
| Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation 2026-18648 · significant | Proposed rule | Sep 11 |
| Travel Management; National Forest System Lands 2026-17211 | Proposed rule | Aug 24 |
| Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation 2026-16965 · significant | Proposed rule | Aug 20 |
| Organization, Functions, and Procedures; Public Notice and Comment for Standards, Criteria, and Guidance Applicable to Forest Service Programs 2026-13281 | Proposed rule | Jul 1 |
| Administrative Site Leases 2026-08937 | Proposed rule | May 6 |
| Definition of a Ski Area 2026-05767 | Final rule | Mar 25 |
Everything from the Forest Service · Rules on environmental protection · Rules on mines · Rules on national forests · Published in February 2026
Read from the Federal Register API, last updated 2026-10-23. The document on federalregister.gov is the official record; dates and dockets can change through later corrections. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0.