	Introduction

A variety of interrelated statutes and agency regulations govern leasing and permitting foroil and gas development on federal lands. This report addresses the leasing and permitting of onshore, federal public domain lands. This report first analyzes the legal framework for oil and gas leasing and permitting onfederal public domain lands managed by BLM and the Forest Service. Second, this report assesseshow the recently enacted Energy Policy of 2005 affects these laws. Finally, this report analyzesselected judicial and administrative decisions regarding what steps federal environmental lawsrequire agencies to take before issuing coalbed methane leases. Streamlining and Expediting Oil and Gas Development Processes

The 2005 EPACT requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture toenter into a memorandum of understanding regarding issues such as the establishment of proceduresto "ensure timely processing" of oil and gas lease applications, surface use plans of operation, andAPDs. (139)

	Recent Litigation Surrounding Coalbed Methane Leasing

Coalbed methane (CBM) is a natural gas that is trapped in coal seams by water pressure.
A variety of statutes and agency regulations govern leasing and permitting for oil and gasdevelopment on federal lands. This report first explains the legal framework for oil and gas leasingand development on federal "public domain" lands, which involves an overview of the following:
laws and regulations affecting which public domain lands are potentiallysubject to oil and gas leasing;
development of Resource Management Plans;
competitive and noncompetitive oil and gas leasingprocesses;
terms and conditions of oil and gas leases; and
the process surrounding applications for permits to drill.
Second, this report assesses how the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( P.L.109-58 ) will affect preexisting oil and gas development laws. The third section of the reportanalyzes selected judicial and administrative decisions regarding what steps federal environmentallaws require agencies to take before issuing leases for coalbed methane leases. Coalbed methane isa type of natural gas that is trapped in coal seams by water pressure.
This report will be updated as developments warrant.