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: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Endangered Species Committee Grants National Security Exemption for Gulf Oil and Gas Activities

On March 31, 2026, the Endangered Species Committee granted a national security exemption under section 7(h) of the Endangered Species Act for oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Gulf of America. The decision, initiated by a finding of the Secretary of War, exempts these activities from the Act’s procedural consultation and jeopardy mandates, as well as certain take prohibitions. Covered agencies are required to continue implementing avoidance and minimization measures as outlined by recent National Marine Fisheries Service and Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinions. Litigation challenging this exemption would be heard in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth or Eleventh Circuits.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Finalizes Updates to NEPA Regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized updates to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, consolidating several agency-specific rules into a single department-wide framework. The revised rules set statutory page limits for Environmental Assessments (75 pages) and Environmental Impact Statements (150–300 pages), and establish deadlines of 1 year and 2 years, respectively. Other provisions address categorical exclusions, programmatic reviews, public involvement procedures, and documentation standards, adopting changes from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and recent case law. The rule aims to increase efficiency and ensure consistency across USDA NEPA processes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Begins EIS Process for Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project

The Bureau of Land Management announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project, which would construct a 36-inch crude oil pipeline from the U.S./Canada border in Montana to Platte County, Wyoming. The scoping process opened April 1, with comments due by May 1, 2026. The project would cross approximately 63.8 miles of federal land, requiring a Presidential Permit, right-of-way grants, and numerous environmental permits. Field studies are underway as the joint BLM/Montana Department of Environmental Quality analysis proceeds, with public meetings planned in Montana and Wyoming.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US Forest Service and BLM Advance Environmental Review for Black Pine Gold Project in Idaho

The Forest Service (Sawtooth National Forest), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, has initiated a 30-day public comment period on the proposed Environmental Impact Statement for the Black Pine Gold Project in Cassia and Oneida Counties, Idaho. Liberty Gold (USA) Inc. seeks approval of a mine plan of operations involving open pit mining, heap leach processing, and construction of associated facilities. The review will assess effects on hydrology, wildlife, cultural resources, air quality, and reclamation. The EIS is subject to the 36 CFR 218 objection process and may require a project-specific Forest Plan amendment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Approves Ohio Redesignation for Sulfur Dioxide Standard

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized the redesignation of the Muskingum River area in Ohio from nonattainment to attainment for the 2010 sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The approval, which also incorporates Ohio’s maintenance plan and enforceable emissions reductions orders for Globe Metallurgical, Inc., relieves the area from certain stringent permitting requirements. The rule takes immediate effect and is subject to judicial review petitions by June 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

Bill 2768, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026, was placed on the Union Calendar. The bill calls for a study of the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail, covering public lands and natural resources management.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026

Bill 4684, the Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 504. The legislation addresses matters relating to public lands and natural resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026

Bill 2252, the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, was placed on the Union Calendar. This House measure concerns the completion of trust lands transfers in North Dakota.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To require the Secretary of the Interior to develop regional management frameworks for the take of double-crested cormorants

Bill 8195 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The proposal would direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish regional frameworks for managing the take of double-crested cormorants.

Sources: www.congress.gov

General George C. Marshall House Designation Bill

Bill 1352 designates the General George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the National Park System. The bill was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 500.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

New York Launches Outreach Center for Albany I-787 Corridor Project

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of a new community outreach center in Albany for the I-787 reimagination project. The center supports public engagement as the state’s Department of Transportation moves forward with the environmental impact study and corridor redevelopment.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Texas Makes River Authority and Environmental Board Appointments

Governor Greg Abbott appointed new members to the Nueces River Authority and Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority, with duties in water quality, flood control, and conservation in their respective basins.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US exempts Gulf of Mexico drillers from endangered species rules: The Biden administration granted national security exemptions allowing oil and gas drilling activities in the Gulf to proceed without certain endangered species restrictions.
• Trump’s ‘God Squad’ chose oil drilling over endangered species in the Gulf. This whale could be in particular danger: The CNN article examines the Endangered Species Committee’s decision to override ESA protections in the Gulf of Mexico, raising issues for Rice’s whale.
• The Fragile Hope for Salmon Recovery in Maine: Atlantic salmon populations in Maine continue to struggle despite ongoing habitat restoration and conservation efforts.
• Health, environmental groups sue EPA for rollback of mercury rule: Environmental groups filed suit against the EPA, challenging the agency’s recent rollback of regulations governing mercury emissions from power plants.
• Brazil enlists bank managers to combat deforestation: Brazilian banks partner with the government to limit loans tied to deforestation and illegal activity in the Amazon.
• Activist shareholder Follow This broadens climate campaign against BP: Climate-focused shareholders expand their campaign at BP, demanding more ambitious emissions reduction targets.

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