Trump Removes Restrictions on Federal Lands Access

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2026 — President Trump issued an executive order Thursday that eliminates unnecessary and counterproductive restrictions on access to federal lands.

The order, titled "Removing Unnecessary and Counterproductive Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands," applies to lands managed by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture. It targets rules the administration has identified as limiting industries critical to national and economic security, including energy, mining, timber and grazing.

The White House release states the administration has already eliminated a record number of such regulations.

The order reverses prior limitations on road access, mineral leasing, and multiple-use activities that had narrowed allowable operations on roughly 640 million acres of federal land. It takes effect immediately upon issuance and directs federal agencies to revise or rescind the identified restrictions.

Downstream, agencies must now review and update land-use plans, environmental impact statements and permitting processes that incorporated the removed rules. This opens timelines for new lease sales, exploration permits and infrastructure projects that previously faced delays.

Congress retains oversight authority through appropriations and can respond with legislation codifying or blocking specific changes. Courts may see challenges from parties that benefited from the prior restrictions.

This order continues the administration's regulatory rollback that began in 2025. The White House has repeatedly cited statutory authorities vested in the president by the Constitution and federal law to justify these actions.

Primary sources: White House