WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior announced it will no longer require the Bureau of Land Management to conduct an environmental impact statement for about 3,244 oil and gas leases across seven Western states, including Montana.

This decision aligns with an executive order signed by President Trump this week titled “Unleashing American Energy,” which aim to reduce regulatory barriers and speed up domestic energy development, according to a release from the Bureau of Land Management.

The affected leases cover 3.5 million acres in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The BLM is assessing options for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for these decisions.

The Department emphasized its commitment to responsible energy development on public lands. The Notice of Rescission is set to be published in the Federal Register on Friday.