H.J.Res. 140 Revokes 225,504 Acres Minnesota Leasing Withdrawal

H.J.Res. 140 nullifies a 2023 Bureau of Land Management Public Land Order that had withdrawn approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in three Minnesota counties from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years. The joint resolution exercise of congressional disapproval authority under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act reversed the withdrawal, making the affected lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties available again for mineral and geothermal leasing. Federal land management agencies should update records to reflect the restored leasing eligibility for these lands.

Affected parties include the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, which must administer leasing programs on the restored lands, and mineral and geothermal exploration companies seeking to develop the approximately 225,504 acres of National Forest System lands in northeastern Minnesota.