Conservation Groups Urge BLM to Defer Montana-Dakotas and Wyoming Oil and Gas Lease Sales

Synopsis:
A coalition of conservation and public lands organizations submitted scoping comments urging the Bureau of Land Management to defer proposed Q4 2026 oil and gas lease sales in the Montana-Dakotas and Wyoming. The comments call for a full environmental review before any parcels are offered, including analysis of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions, climate impacts, methane waste, groundwater risks, wildlife habitat, and impacts to public lands and nearby national park resources. The coalition argues that BLM must consider a no-leasing alternative, a managed decline of federal fossil fuel production, and stronger protections for water, wildlife, and communities before moving forward with the proposed 294 lease parcels.