Trump Administration Moves to Sell Federal Lands and Streamline Approvals

The Trump administration is advancing a series of policies to reduce the federal land estate and restructure public land management before Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027. Under a 2026-2030 strategic plan, Department of the Interior Secretary Douglas Burgum intends to sell federal lands to states, localities, and Tribes to prioritize industry and energy production.

As part of this restructuring, the Department of the Interior is considering a hub-and-spoke management model for the National Park Service. This model would centralize decision-making at larger parks, a move that could reduce staff and expertise at smaller sites. Separately, the Supreme Court of the United States voted to allow the resumption of border barrier construction in Big Bend National Park.

To accelerate development, the Bureau of Land Management proposed regulations to streamline project approvals. These changes include shortening public comment periods from 90 to 30 days and eliminating the requirement for Environmental Impact Statements. Conservation groups and nonprofits oppose these measures, arguing they gut transparency and threaten wildlife habitats.