2025 Administrative Oil and Gas Withdrawal

On December 30th 2024, the Bureau of Land Management announced the initiation of a two-year oil and gas leasing moratorium on 264,000 acres in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The BLM manages the subsurface minerals, including oil and gas, beneath the national forest. This moratorium is a significant first step toward long-term conservation of crucial habitat for big game and coldwater fish species located within the Ruby Mountains.

The federal segregation notice removes the Ruby Mountains from oil and gas leasing for two years while the department further considers whether to implement a longer-term oil and gas withdrawal for the area.

The Sportsmen for the Rubies coalition applauds this action and thanks Nevada Representative Amodei and Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen for being champions of conservation efforts in the Rubies for many years. The coalition urges Congress to pass the bipartisan Ruby Mountains Protection Act in the 119th Congress in order to make these temporary conservation measures permanent.

Public Comment is open for hunters and anglers to show their support for oil and gas withdrawal in the Ruby Mountains!

All comments must be received by March 31, 2025.

In addition, the USFS and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a virtual public meeting addressing the USFS withdrawal application and associated environmental review process on February 14, 2025 at 2 p.m. PST.

Those interested in participating must register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/4h6H2Tr. Participants will receive information via email on how to log in to the meeting. The BLM and USFS, will present information, answer questions, and hear comments from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. PST.