June 21, 2026 to June 27, 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

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

Federal Government News

EPA Proposes Updates to NEPA Implementation Procedures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to its procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), incorporating recent congressional changes—specifically the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The notice outlines technical corrections, office updates, and harmonization with other agencies, with new statutory deadlines: one year for environmental assessments (EAs) and two years for environmental impact statements (EISs). Page limits will drop to 75 pages for EAs and 150-300 pages for EISs, addressing a documented trend toward longer reviews. The proposal also codifies acceptance of categorical exclusions from other agencies and clarifies NEPA’s scope post-Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado. Comments must be received by July 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order on Regenerative Agriculture and Farm Resilience

Executive Order 14212, issued June 25, 2026, directs EPA, USDA, and HHS to expedite regulatory review for chemical alternatives, foster precision agriculture technologies, and expand regenerative pilot projects. Agencies must develop frameworks for cumulative chemical exposure and prioritize research into innovative crop protection. The order clarifies that all actions must comply with existing laws and appropriations and does not create new enforceable rights.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Three-Year Migratory Bird Hunting Rule

The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a shift in authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting from annual federal rulemaking to a triennial memorandum system with annual updates as needed. States and Tribes will set regulations within federal conditions, using adaptive management for ducks. Regulatory alternatives will be fixed for at least five years and public comments are open until July 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Issues Incidental Harassment Authorization for Alaska Dock Repair

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) granted an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Kensington Dock Repair Project in Berners Bay, effective June 16, 2026, allowing incidental but not intentional harassment of marine mammals. Covered species include ESA-listed humpback whales and Steller sea lions. NMFS determined the activity’s impact would be negligible and prescribed monitoring and mitigation measures; the project qualifies for categorical exclusion under NEPA.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Proposes Automated Certification of Admissibility for Restricted Fish Imports

NOAA seeks input on its plan to automate the Certification of Admissibility (COA) process for fish and fish products subject to import restrictions under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The transition from paper forms to electronic submissions via the CBP Automated Commercial Environment is intended to improve accuracy and enforcement, with an estimated annual burden of 27,720 hours and a $550,000 annual maintenance cost. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill to Reduce Trawl Gear Impacts and Protect Seafloor Habitat

Bill 4938 aims to reduce trawl gear impacts on bycatch and seafloor habitat in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. The bill proposes performance standards, seafloor contact detection, and salmon excluder requirements, in addition to provisions for Council transparency, ecosystem analysis, electronic monitoring modernization, and a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Food Security Act Amendment: Conservation Reserve Program Eligibility

Bill 4912, introduced to amend the Food Security Act of 1985, would clarify land eligibility for enrollment in the conservation reserve program. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

Senate Bill 629 seeks to improve the Emergency Conservation Program, helping agricultural producers recover from natural disasters. The latest action: Motion to reconsider laid on the table agreed to without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Streamline Environmental Permitting

Bill 4944 proposes to streamline permitting under the Natural Gas Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. The bill text appears in Congressional Record S3206-3214 and was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Green Ribbon Schools Program Expansion

Bill 4914 seeks to strengthen and expand the Green Ribbon Schools Program, supporting environmental literacy and health goals in schools. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• UN chief calls on AI firms to come clean on environmental costs: UN Secretary-General urges AI companies to disclose environmental impacts of their operations.
• Opinion | Blame Environmental Regulations for U.S. Solar’s Troubles: Column argues that regulatory hurdles are affecting U.S. solar industry performance.
• US to create genomic and cellular 'BioVault' for endangered species: The U.S. is planning a BioVault project to store genomic materials from endangered species.
• Trump Administration Moves to Preserve Cells and DNA of Imperiled Species: Federal government partners on a gene bank for the conservation of imperiled species.
• Montana DEQ works toward impairment designation for Big Hole River: Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality is considering an impairment designation for the Big Hole River fishery.
• Court rules against Trump administration on air pollution limits: Federal court denies Trump administration’s revised air pollution standards for major emitters.
• To stick, the EU’s deforestation regulation needs to protect forests without sidelining small farmers: Analysis describes challenges for EU deforestation regulation in balancing forest protection and small farmer inclusion.

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