June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026

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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Environment channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Mining. Also consider subscribing to our Environment - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 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 Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture Hearing: Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System: The House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture will hold a hearing titled "Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System" on June 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Longworth House Office Building, Room 1300.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Hearing: Trash to Treasure – Domestic Critical Mineral Recovery and Recycling: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will conduct a hearing on June 24, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2123, on legislation supporting recovery and recycling of domestic critical minerals.
• House Natural Resources Committee Markup: H.R. 9250, Great American Outdoors Act 250: The House Natural Resources Committee will mark up H.R. 9250 "Great American Outdoors Act 250" on June 24, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324.
• Senate Environment and Public Works Hearing: Nomination of Kevin Lilly, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold an open hearing to examine the nomination of Kevin Lilly, of Texas, as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, on June 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 406.

Federal Government News

White House CEQ to Convene Permitting Innovators Expo

The White House Council on Environmental Quality, alongside NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, will hold the Permitting Innovators Expo July 31, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. The Expo will showcase technologies aimed at modernizing federal environmental review and permitting, following a presidential directive to update permitting processes. Top solutions from the earlier CEQ Permitting Innovators Call for Solutions will be presented, and the event will feature demonstration spaces and sessions for sharing best practices. The Permitting Innovators Solutions Catalog is scheduled for publication later in 2026. Attendance space is limited for government, industry, and policy stakeholders.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Proclamation Restores Commercial Fishing Access in Pacific Marine Monuments

President Donald J. Trump issued Proclamation 11035 to remove monument-based prohibitions on commercial fishing in specific Pacific marine national monuments, including areas within the Mariana Trench, Papahānaumokuākea, and Rose Atoll. The action permits commercial fishing by U.S.-flagged vessels within specified zones under federal fishery management plans, with ongoing protections under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and other statutes. The proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to amend agency regulations to align with the new policy and allows for foreign vessels to transport fish taken by U.S. fishermen. Restrictions close to certain islands remain in effect unless modified through statutory processes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Intent to Prepare PEIS for Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a notice of intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression on rangelands across 17 western states. The PEIS will assess effects of APHIS's proposed program, covering biological, cultural, physical, and chemical control measures. Four alternatives—including existing insecticide-based suppression, monitoring-only, biopesticide options, and a combination with reduced chemical use—will be reviewed. Public comment is open through July 20, 2026. The PEIS replaces the 2019 document and incorporates stakeholder and tribal consultation; final publication is projected for August 2027.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Environmental Impact Statements; Weekly Federal Release

EPA's Office of Federal Activities announced the weekly availability of several Environmental Impact Statements (EIS): A draft EIS for the McGriff Lakes Plan in California, a final EIS for joint military training in the Northern Mariana Islands, and a final EIS for the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project hydropower license in Wyoming. Each EIS is open for public review with comment and review periods ranging from July 20 to August 3, 2026. EPA's Section 309 comments are accessible online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Forest Service Guidance Proposed for Climbing Opportunities on National Forest System Lands

The USDA Forest Service has published a proposal to establish directive guidance for climbing activities on National Forest System lands, including congressionally designated wilderness. The draft responds to Section 122 of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act and recognizes recreational climbing with fixed anchors as an appropriate use within wilderness, subject to various requirements. Public comments are due by July 20, 2026, with full text available via the Forest Service directives website. Tribal consultation and feedback regarding cultural resource protection will inform final guidance.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 4779: Support for Nutrition, Farmers, Seafood, Agricultural Research, Wood Energy, and Indigenous Self-Determination

Bill 4779 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The bill aims to address multiple aspects of nutrition policy, farmer support, seafood industry advancement, agricultural research, wood energy innovation, and indigenous self-determination.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act

Bill 2033 (held at the desk) and Bill 3922 (placed on Senate Legislative Calendar, General Orders No. 435) both relate to the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, which addresses public lands and wildfire management across jurisdictional boundaries.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Bill 4811: Amend Food Security Act for Indian Tribe Resource Concerns

Bill 4811 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to specifically include Indian Tribes in certain resource concern provisions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4812: EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Funds Regulations

Bill 4812 requires the EPA Administrator to modify regulations governing drinking water State revolving funds. The sponsor introduced the measure in the Senate, and it was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9337: Amend Federal Power Act for Hydropower Licensing

Bill 9337 proposes to modernize the hydropower licensing process in the Federal Power Act. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump Administration to Pay $765 Million to Cancel 4 More Wind Projects: Federal government agrees to payments for cancellation of four wind energy projects, impacting industry planning.
• Steel industry sounds alarm over slow progress on green steel: Industry representatives express concern about the pace of shifting to lower-emission steel production.
• Colby College Is Stepping In to Save a Maine Town on the Brink of Disaster: Colby College's efforts focus on a Maine waterfront town facing economic and environmental challenges.
• First Quantum's shuttered mine passes audit, as Panama weighs restart: Environmental audit clears First Quantum’s copper mine, while Panamanian authorities consider future mine operations.
• Indian officials survey farms around Tata iPhone parts plant after water pollution warning: Officials survey agricultural areas around Tata plant following concerns of water contamination risk.

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