![A dirt road winding through public lands. A dirt road winding through public lands.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161121135756im_/https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/styles/content_detail_photo/public/oilandgas__WhiteRiverthumbnail240x180_0.jpg?itok=VgpBDGP6)
Announcement Addresses Longstanding Concerns about Potential Development in Thompson Divide by Balancing Resource Protection and Development
![Badger-Two Medicine area in Northwest Montana Badger-Two Medicine area in Northwest Montana](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161121135756im_/https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/styles/content_detail_photo/public/news_badgertwo.jpg?itok=rB0CpVHt)
Final Rule Limits Venting, Flaring and Leaking from Oil & Gas Operations to Reduce Waste and Harmful Emissions, Provide Fair Return to Taxpayers
![Wind energy Wind energy](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161121135756im_/https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/styles/content_detail_photo/public/news_wind.jpg?itok=jQP1g2Ym)
Rule codifies BLM’s Smart from the Start approach, establishes a robust framework for competitive leasing, and increases transparency and certainty.
![Oil and gas operations in Utah Oil and gas operations in Utah](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161121135756im_/https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/styles/content_detail_photo/public/news_oilandgasthumbnail.jpg?itok=lc92_fgQ)
Automation effort provides public portal to initiate leasing process.