Removing Unnecessary and Counterproductive Restrictions on Access to Federal Lands

This executive order rescinds two 1970s-era orders governing off-road vehicle use on federal lands (EO 11644 and EO 11989), directing agencies to replace their vague environmental and social criteria with regulations grounded in existing statutory authorities. The action aims to reduce regulatory barriers to energy production, timber harvesting, utility maintenance, and recreational access on federal lands.

Federal Register Open PDF 91 FR 33577

Impact dates

Date TBD
Agencies to initiate rulemakings to rescind or revise regulations

Market exposure

Policy exposure mapping — not investment advice. Illustrative public companies are incomplete and not recommendations.

Sectors

Oil & gas Other industrial

Mechanisms

Licensing

Role pressure

ProtectiveDomestic producer — Reduced regulatory barriers and designation delays for energy extraction and timber harvesting on federal lands
ProtectiveProject developer — Streamlined access for utility maintenance and infrastructure projects on federal lands
MixedEquipment supplier — Increased demand for off-road vehicles and energy/timber equipment, but potential reputational risks from environmental opposition

Geographies

Illustrative public companies

Curated watchlist matches by sector/role — incomplete; not a recommendation.

MMM3MCATCaterpillarLNGCheniere EnergyCVXChevronCOPConocoPhillipsXOMExxon MobilFCXFreeport-McMoRanGEVGE VernovaHONHoneywellSHELShellSLBSLBSPYSPDR S&P 500 ETFTSLATesla

Confidence: medium · Policy alerts

Key directives

Rescind EO 11644 and EO 11989
Secretary of War, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, TVA Board, and other relevant agency heads shall initiate rulemakings to rescind or revise implementing regulations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

EO 11644 and EO 11989 rescinded
Agencies directed to initiate rulemakings

Near term (90d)

Rulemaking processes begin for rescinding/revising implementing regulations

Long term

Potential expansion of off-road vehicle access on federal lands
Shift in land management balance toward multiple-use and access
Possible litigation over environmental compliance under remaining statutory frameworks

Risks & tensions

Vague deadline: 'initiate rulemakings' has no fixed timeline, creating implementation uncertainty
Environmental litigation risk: rescission removes specific criteria but NEPA, ESA, NHPA remain applicable; courts may scrutinize whether remaining statutory framework adequately replaces rescinded protections
Recreation user conflicts: expanded off-road vehicle access may generate disputes with non-motorized users
Tension between 'equal terms' access pledge and practical resource degradation concerns