The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.], and the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987, require the BLM to conduct quarterly, competitive lease sales to offer available oil and gas lease parcels. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to nominate parcels for leasing by the BLM are submitted by the public. From these EOIs, the BLM prepares the parcels and determines whether or not the existing analyses in the Land Use Plans, as amended, provide basis for leasing oil and gas resources within these parcels, and conducts additional NEPA analysis before determining if parcels are suitable to be offered.

The BLM is offering a 30-day protest period. The protest period begins September 22, 2025, and ends on October 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. MT.  Protests on the offered parcels may only be submitted electronically through email at [email protected]; the subject line must read: “Quarter 4, 2025 Protest.” The BLM must receive all protests by 4:30 p.m., on October 23rd, 2025, and as stated, can only accept emailed protests. 

The 30-day Public Comment period was held from July 8, to August 8, 2025.