July 26, 2026 to August 01, 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.

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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

EPA Publishes Notice of Availability for Environmental Impact Statements Covering Major Infrastructure Projects

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published notice of Environmental Impact Statements filed between July 20 and July 27, 2026, under CEQ Guidance 42 U.S.C. 4332. The EISs include: the U.S. Forest Service’s draft EIS for Brian Head Ski Resort Expansion in Utah (comments due October 29), FERC’s final EIS for Kosciusko Junction Pipeline in Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ final EIS for San Francisco Waterfront Coastal Flood Study (review period ends August 31), and the Bureau of Reclamation’s final EIS for Lake Powell and Lake Mead post-2026 operations. EPA comments are available online and contact details for each project are provided.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Interim Rule Clarifies Wetland Conservation Certification Standards for Program Eligibility

The USDA issued an interim rule amending regulations under the Food Security Act to address certification of wetland determinations affecting eligibility for certain benefits. Effective July 29, 2026, the rule mandates that determinations since November 28, 1990, are certified when affected producers receive notification and appeal rights. The action responds to a February 2024 court ruling and focuses on compliance with statutory requirements, procedural clarity, and reliability for agricultural stakeholders. Public comment is open until September 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Issues Presidential Determination on Defense Production Act Authority for Critical Minerals

President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum on July 30, 2026, identifying recoverable critical minerals and materials (CMMs) as essential to national defense. The determination directs the Secretary of Commerce to act under Section 101 of the Defense Production Act for CMMs such as black mass and rare-earth permanent magnets, citing supply chain concerns due to import reliance. Definitions follow existing executive orders, excluding copper scrap. The memo instructs regulation issuance in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

NOAA Opens Public Request for Information on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

NOAA issued a notice requesting public input regarding the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) in U.S. waters. Stakeholders are invited to submit data on geographic regions, siting requirements, resource use conflicts, and technical parameters. Listening sessions are scheduled on August 6, 13, and 31, and submissions are accepted via regulations.gov through September 13, 2026. NOAA will incorporate feedback with spatial analyses conducted by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to guide future AOA selection and regulatory planning.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Proposes Revisions to California Title V Clean Air Act Permit Programs

EPA announced a proposed rule to approve revisions to four California air districts’ Title V programs: Amador, Calaveras, Great Basin Unified, and Northern Sierra districts. The revisions remove emergency affirmative defense provisions from permitting rules. EPA finds the updates consistent with part 70 requirements and opens a 30-day public comment period. The action ensures alignment with federal statutory mandates and recent judicial decisions, with no additional requirements imposed beyond state law.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 9953: Bycatch Mitigation, Gear Performance, and Habitat Protection Standards

Bill 9953, introduced to address trawl gear impacts on bycatch and seafloor habitat in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska, proposes gear performance standards, detection requirements, and salmon excluder rules. It includes measures for Council transparency, prioritizes ecosystem analyses, modernizes electronic monitoring, restricts unsustainable seafood imports, and establishes a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund. Latest action: referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 5200: Spotted Lanternfly Control Research Initiative

Bill 5200 amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, designating spotted lanternfly control research and development as a high-priority research and extension area. Latest action: read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 5151: Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative

Bill 5151 seeks to establish the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative for protection and restoration projects in the Mississippi River Corridor. Latest action: read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 187: Congressional Disapproval of EPA Rule on PFAS Reporting and Recordkeeping

Bill 187 is a joint resolution for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, specifically regarding the EPA’s rule on PFAS reporting and recordkeeping under TSCA 8(a)(7). Latest action: placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders, Calendar No. 532.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9999: Mountain Pine Beetle Coordination Act

Bill 9999, titled the Mountain Pine Beetle Coordination Act, was referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources for further consideration. The bill targets improved research and response coordination regarding mountain pine beetle impacts.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Wildfire emissions soar, exposing millions to worse air pollution: Reuters reports major wildfire emissions have elevated air pollution, affecting millions across North America.
• Amazon sued by consumers over seafood sustainability claims: Amazon faces a lawsuit by consumers challenging the accuracy of its seafood sustainability claims.
• The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: At One With Nature: WSJ explores design features embracing environmental themes at the Roosevelt Presidential Library.
• Vana Specialty Packaging Examines How Sustainable Packaging Materials Influence Packaging Performance, Manufacturing Efficiency, and Brand Objectives: USA Today examines sustainable packaging materials and their effects on efficiency and branding.
• NEWSLETTER: Climate focus: Counting El Nino’s costs around the world: Reuters highlights global financial impacts attributed to recent El Niño climate patterns.
• Opinion | At Home in Florida’s Wild Kingdom: WSJ opinion piece discusses personal experiences with Florida’s diverse wildlife.

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