- Interior Department launched a public comment period on May 16.
- The move supports efforts to reduce regulatory complexity.
- A formal Request for Information will appear in the Federal Register.
- Comments may be submitted via a newly created email address.
- Review process follows a February 3 order by Secretary Doug Burgum.
Friday, May 23, 2025 — Last week, the Department of the Interior announced the start of a public comment period aimed at identifying and eliminating regulations considered outdated or unnecessarily complex. The action stems from Executive Order 14154
, signed on Donald Trump’s first day in office, which requires federal agencies to evaluate and reform existing regulatory frameworks.
A formal Request for Information has been published in the Federal Register. The Interior Department is seeking feedback from individuals, businesses, and organizations to help determine which rules may no longer serve the public interest or hinder economic growth.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum set the process in motion with Secretary’s Order No. 3418, issued on February 3. That directive instructs all Assistant Secretaries to conduct immediate reviews of their offices’ regulatory structures and deliver action plans in alignment with the Executive Order.
The Department outlined two immediate steps for public participation. First, it has broadly defined “regulations” to include any agency action that could be considered for revision or repeal. Second, it has established a dedicated email address — Interior.RegulatoryInfo@doi.gov — for direct submissions.
“The Department of the Interior today announced the launch of a public comment period to support the Administration’s efforts to streamline federal regulations and reduce unnecessary red tape,” the agency stated in its May 16 release. It added that the initiative is part of “Interior’s broader commitment to improving transparency, efficiency and accountability in federal decision-making.”
Although the public comment period is initially set for at least 30 days, the Interior Department said it will continue to accept input through the dedicated email address beyond that timeframe. The agency has not yet provided a specific end date, allowing for continued feedback on an ongoing basis.
More details are available in the Federal Register.
I’d love to see more of the federal agencies seek opinions, ideas and full input from the public. I believe that these are the things that get people interested in causes and government. The more the merrier, I say “YAY” to the Public Comment Period!