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: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

NMFS Proposes 2026 Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries Updates

The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued proposed updates to the 2026 List of Fisheries (LOF) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Notable changes include downgrading the California Dungeness crab pot fishery from Category I to II, reclassifying the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery from Category II to III, and adding the California deep-set buoy gear fishery and the Massachusetts green crab pot fishery as Category III. The Hawaii aquarium collecting fishery is proposed for removal due to inactivity. Name changes for Gulf of Mexico fisheries reflect Executive Order 14172’s designation of the region as "Gulf of America." The updates also adjust the list of marine mammal species affected, alter vessel and participant estimates, and reclassify the Western Pacific Pelagic longline fishery. Public comments are accepted until June 4, 2026, via the NMFS website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USFWS Initiates 5-Year Status Reviews for 78 ESA-Listed Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a 5-year status review for 78 species across Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and California under the Endangered Species Act. The list covers 1 mammal, 5 birds, 8 insects, and 64 plants, including the Northern Idaho ground squirrel, Franklin’s bumble bee, and Gentner’s fritillary. Stakeholders are invited to submit scientific and commercial information by July 6, 2026, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail. New data on population trends, threats, habitat, or taxonomic changes may be considered in ongoing recovery efforts. Updated status review tables are publicly available online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOJ Lodges Clean Water Act Consent Decree for Fairhaven Harbor, Massachusetts Violations

On May 5, 2026, the Department of Justice submitted a proposed Consent Decree to the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts resolving alleged Clean Water Act violations by Amelia Joyce Inc. related to the discharge of oily bilge water and lack of required pollution controls. The decree mandates a $200,000 penalty, crew training on oil disposal, maintenance of oil disposal logs for three years, and installation of pollution control equipment on five fishing vessels. Public comments on the decree are open for 30 days following the notice publication and may be submitted by email or mail to DOJ.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Issues Incidental Take Permit to UMass Dartmouth for ESA-Listed Sea Turtles and Sturgeon

The National Marine Fisheries Service granted an incidental take permit (File No. 27490) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology covering sea turtles and sturgeon during fisheries surveys. The permit, effective for 10 years, sets species-specific non-lethal take limits and requires observer use, safe handling, data collection, and $100,000 in program funding. NMFS determined the plan meets requirements under ESA section 10(a)(2)(B) and completed regulatory review, including public comment consideration.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USFWS Receives Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications—Midwest Region

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received recovery permit applications for various research and management activities related to threatened and endangered species under the ESA in the Midwest. Applications concern surveys, population monitoring, and habitat evaluations for species including the Indiana bat, gray bat, northern long-eared bat, several freshwater mussels, and the rusty patched bumble bee. The public may comment until June 3, 2026. All application details, including activity types and geographic scope, are available on regulations.gov under docket FWS-R3-ES-2026-0860.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

To codify the categorical exclusion proposed in the NEPA Implementing Procedures for BLM Salvage Harvesting

Bill 8682 was introduced to codify the categorical exclusion for salvage harvesting under NEPA, as proposed by the Bureau of Land Management on April 6, 2026. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geese House Site Conveyance Act

Bill 8674, the Geese House Site Conveyance Act, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013—Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona

Bill 8686 seeks to amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 concerning public land at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The measure was referred to the Committees on Natural Resources and Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Federal Land Transfer—Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Bill 2280 authorizes the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over parcels of federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The bill has been held at the desk.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Montana Governor Applauds BLM Final Reversal of American Prairie Reserve Bison Grazing

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte praised the Bureau of Land Management’s final cancellation of American Prairie Reserve bison grazing permits and restoration of cattle-only authorizations after protracted administrative and legal actions.

Sources: news.mt.gov

Governor Newsom Announces Major Wildland Firefighting Hiring Milestone

California expanded its CAL FIRE-CCC wildland firefighting crews, with over 1,000 young adults hired since 2018, as part of continued workforce investments in fire and forest resilience.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Governor Abbott Extends Fire Weather Disaster Declaration

Texas Governor Greg Abbott amended and renewed the ongoing disaster declaration for persistent fire weather in dozens of counties, granting resources and regulatory flexibility for emergency response.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Governor Hochul and Attorney General James Move to Intervene in Sunrise Wind Litigation

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James are seeking to intervene in federal court to defend approvals for the Sunrise Wind offshore project, citing its significance for energy supply and employment.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Western New York Awarded $18.7 Million for Community Revitalization Projects

Governor Hochul announced 21 projects in Cattaraugus, Westfield, and Angola will receive $18.7 million through DRI and NY Forward for mixed-use developments, public spaces, and small business support.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• New Study Shows Risks of Amazon Deforestation. And Rewards of Protection.: The New York Times details new research on the environmental risks and potential benefits of protecting the Amazon rainforest.
• How China's evolving consumer habits may protect the Amazon rainforest: Reuters examines how changes in China's consumer behavior could affect forest conservation in the Amazon.
• Illegal Miners Loot Amazon Rainforest for Critical Minerals: This article reports on illegal mining's impact on the Amazon and the drive for critical mineral resources.
• Why America Is Removing So Many ‘Deadbeat’ Dams: The New York Times reviews the growing number of dam removals in the U.S. and their implications for rivers and habitats.
• Tribes sue to halt exploratory drilling in Black Hills near sacred ceremonial site: The Washington Post covers tribal groups' court action to stop exploratory drilling on sacred lands in the Black Hills.

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