This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news regarding the environment, climate change policies, fish and wildlife protection, habitat conservation, environmental activism, and forestry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands: Legislative Hearing on Parkway Safety, Battlefield Protection, Good Neighbor Authority, and Public Lands Restoration Bills (March 26): The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will convene a legislative hearing on March 26 at 2:00 p.m. ET (Longworth 1324) to discuss four bills: H.R. 6778 (Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act), H.R. 7618 (American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026), H.R. 7951 (Long-Term Good Neighbor Authority Act), and H.R. 7979 (Public Lands Access Restoration Act).
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance: Hearing on Mitigation and Multiple Loss Properties (March 26): On March 26 at 2:00 p.m. ET in Rayburn 2128, the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the factors influencing the high cost of flooding, mitigation strategies, and management of properties with repeated losses.

Federal Government News

NOAA Proposes New Atlantic Cod Stock Structure and Catch Limits for Northeast Multispecies Fishery

On March 18, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a proposed rule revising management for Atlantic cod in the Northeast U.S. groundfish fishery (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 25 (Revised)). The action would shift from two to four Atlantic cod stock units (Eastern Gulf of Maine, Western Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England) and set new status determination criteria, annual catch limits, and both commercial and recreational management measures in line with the latest scientific assessments. The rule establishes allocation methodologies, sector contributions, and uncertainty buffers for each cod stock. Public comment on the proposed rule is open through April 17, 2026. The supporting documents include a draft environmental assessment, regulatory impact analysis, and initial regulatory flexibility analysis assessing potential economic impacts for affected small entities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Incidental Take Permit for Sea Turtles: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Application Open for Comment

NOAA announced a public review period for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's application for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) concerning four sea turtle species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed permit would cover incidental take associated with fisheries-independent gill net surveys in Texas bays and estuaries. The Conservation Plan outlines mitigation and monitoring measures including seasonal sampling controls, grid-specific protections, reduced soak times, net configuration requirements, and funding commitments. Historical entanglement data and population impact modeling are included in the federal review documents. Comments are due by April 16, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Trump Administration and Japan Launch Critical Minerals and Conservation Memoranda

President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan unveiled new initiatives aimed at reinforcing the U.S.-Japan alliance, with notable environmental components. A Critical Minerals Action Plan was launched to increase supply chain resilience, joint research, and standards for minerals vital to energy and manufacturing. The two leaders also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on conservation and management of National Parks. Science partnerships will extend to AI and quantum technologies, while joint plans for lunar and Martian exploration remain underway. Japan confirmed an increase in its defense budget and advanced deployment, with accompanying investments in U.S. energy projects.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

NOAA Issues Authorizations and Permits for Marine Mammal, Endangered Species Research and Activities

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service recorded issuance of several permits, amendments, and modifications for activities involving marine mammals and endangered species, in compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Recipients included state agencies, academic researchers, and private institutions, with categorical exclusions applied under NEPA for qualified activities. Details related to each permit, including coverages for study, rescue, or display, are detailed in the official notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Hearing Announced for Environmental Impact Statement on Offshore Well Stimulation, Platform Gilda, California

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has initiated preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed well stimulation treatments, including hydraulic fracturing, at Platform Gilda off the coast of Ventura, California. The project covers planned stimulation of up to 16 existing wells to optimize hydrocarbon production, with platform-based fluid handling and no planned discharge to the marine environment. BOEM will accept public input for 10 days, concluding March 30, 2026, and intends to complete the EIS process within a 28-day timeline, citing national energy emergency executive orders.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

Bill 6893 was referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The bill promotes environmental protection, restoration, and science education in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 with respect to the listing of threatened and endangered species

Bill 4146 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The bill aims to revise procedures for listing threatened and endangered species.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Making National Parks Safer Act

Bill 7031, pertinent to public lands and natural resources, had subcommittee hearings held. The measure addresses safety improvements within the National Parks system.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act

Bill 5555, focused on public lands and natural resources, had subcommittee hearings held. The bill proposes a study for establishing a Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000

Bill 7250, focusing on water resources development, was referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries and seeks to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Decades after a Florida canal project was abandoned, advocates are trying to reunite 3 rivers: Restoration advocates push to reconnect Florida's Silver, Ocklawaha, and St. Johns Rivers linked by a defunct canal.
• A massive border wall expansion is underway: Federal construction is extending the border wall, with debates about environmental and wildlife impacts.
• Trawl ban push, shrimp struggles, and lobster declines: Gulf and Atlantic fisheries face new campaigns for trawl bans as shrimp and lobster populations show regional declines.

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