August 23, 2026 to August 29, 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

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Rules Committee Meeting: North Atlantic Right Whale Act and Other Legislation: On August 31, 2026, the House Rules Committee meets in H-313 of the Capitol to consider H.R. 9436, extending North Atlantic right whale regulations, and additional bills affecting environmental regulation, mining, and related resolutions.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing: Federal Lands Legislation: On September 2, 2026, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands holds a hearing on H.R. 642 (Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act), H.R. 6788 (Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act), H.R. 10136 (Crossett Experimental Forest Act), and other related legislation.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Meeting: Reliable Water in the Digital Age: Scheduled for September 3, 2026, in Rayburn 2123, the Environment Subcommittee will examine bills aimed at strengthening drinking water systems and protecting ratepayers.

Federal Government News

Department of the Interior Adds Timber Salvage Harvest Categorical Exclusion Under NEPA

The Department of the Interior established a new categorical exclusion (CE) for timber salvage harvest in its NEPA implementing procedures, effective August 24, 2026. The CE covers salvage harvesting of dead and dying trees on Bureau-managed lands, with acreage limits up to 1,000 acres for disturbances affecting 3,000 acres or less and up to 5,000 acres, or one-third of the disturbance area, for larger disturbances. The CE incorporates requirements for design features addressing riparian buffers, erosion control, invasive species, and other environmental considerations, and includes restrictions on new permanent and temporary road construction. Before applying the CE, responsible officials must evaluate proposed actions for extraordinary circumstances and, if such are present, must prepare an environmental assessment or EIS. The agency addressed 25 substantive issues raised during the public comment period, including economic impact, wildfire risk, and protection of wildlife habitat. The full CE text and supporting substantiation report are available on the DOI and BLM websites.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Forest and Woodland Density Management NEPA Categorical Exclusion Issued

The Interior Department finalized a categorical exclusion (CE) under NEPA procedures for forest and woodland density management, effective August 24, 2026. The CE applies to modification of tree density on up to 5,000 acres and includes a group selection limit of 2 acres per patch, with group openings not exceeding 10% of the treatment area. It does not cover even-aged regeneration harvest or land conversion. Limits on new permanent (5 miles max) and temporary roads (2.5 miles per 1,000 acres) are specified, and the CE mandates the disclosure of design features for snag and downed wood retention, erosion control, soil compaction, logging systems, seasonal operations, and other aspects. The Department reviewed 84 environmental assessments supporting findings of no significant impact and incorporated responses to 13 key public comment topics. Officials must conduct checks for extraordinary circumstances before the CE is applied; otherwise, an EA or EIS is required.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Launches Rulemaking for National Forest System Travel Management Revisions

The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service released a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for revisions to the National Forest System's travel management regulations at 36 CFR part 212. The proposed rule would set a national policy presuming open access to existing roads and trails unless closure is justified for resource, safety, or administrative reasons, replacing the previous designations based on rescinded Executive Orders. Annual reviews of restrictions and new processes for limited off-route motor vehicle use are proposed, including for big-game retrieval, firewood collection, and camping. Mapping requirements would be modernized, and e-bike classifications and low-powered mobility device access would be addressed. The public may comment on the proposal through September 23, 2026, with the final EIS and rulemaking expected in early 2028.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Posts New Environmental Impact Statement Notices

The Environmental Protection Agency released its weekly notice of available environmental impact statements (EIS), including a draft for the F-35A Beddown at Moody Air Force Base (GA), and final EISs for the Upper Maple River Watershed Plan (ND), North Plains Connector Project (MT), and the Berkeley Space Center at NASA Research Park (CA). The EPA's Section 309(a) comment letters on EISs issued by other federal agencies remain available online. Public comment periods on select EISs are open through late September 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Executive Order Renames Lake Ontario as 'Lake America'

On August 27, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order directing the renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America.' The order refers to the historic and economic significance of the lake and the United States' role in its protection and stewardship, directing the Secretary of the Interior and the Board on Geographic Names to update all federal references within 30 days.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Pulpwood Market Collapse Hits South’s Forest Economy: Forest products markets in the U.S. South face production declines as pulpwood demand contracts.
• California Sues Trump Administration Over Offshore Wind Cancellation: California files a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to halt planned offshore wind leases.
• A court ruling could reshape fishing on North Carolina's coast: Litigation over shrimp trawling and gillnetting could impact fisheries management on the state's coast.
• Thousands Are Flocking to Maine to See the Elusive Puffin: Puffin-watching is driving ecotourism growth in Maine as visitors seek rare seabird sightings.
• California sues Trump administration over offshore wind lease cancelation: Reuters details California's complaint following the cancellation of federal offshore wind leases.
• A Native tribe’s way of life was threatened by Canada tariffs. More are coming.: U.S. tribal communities express concern over economic impacts from new Canadian tariffs.
• MAHA Moms Take On Coal: Advocacy group MAHA Moms continues actions targeting coal-fired power generation.
• Australian Indigenous group appeals Fortescue mining compensation ruling, seeks $1.3 billion: Reuters covers a $1.3 billion mining compensation case brought by an Australian Indigenous group.
• China resumes rescue work after assessing upstream lake conditions: Emergency teams have resumed operations after evaluating environmental risks at a mountain barrier lake between China and Nepal.

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