September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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 Natural Resources Committee Markup on Wildlife, Water, and Habitat Bills (September 15, 2026): The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup on September 15 to consider multiple bills, including H.R. 181, H.R. 184, H.R. 5745 (Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act), H.R. 8195 (Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026), H.R. 9621 (Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026), and others, covering wildlife, habitat, and land management programs.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Hearing: Ecosystem Restoration and WaterSMART Grants (September 16, 2026): The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will convene September 16 to examine legislation addressing aquatic ecosystem restoration, watershed health, wildfire management, geothermal projects, water feasibility, and mapping initiatives impacting environmental restoration and conservation efforts.
• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Business Meeting (September 16, 2026): Scheduled for September 16, the committee will review S.2586 (offshore aquaculture demonstration projects), S.4573, S.4938 (bycatch and seafloor habitat requirements in Alaska fisheries), and other bills related to research and habitat management, as well as Coast Guard promotions.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing: Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Legislation (September 16, 2026): On September 16, the subcommittee will explore legislative proposals including H.R. 3717 (Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025), H.R. 5935 (Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act), H.R. 9590 (SAFE for Manatees Act), and others.
• Senate Environment and Public Works Business Meeting: Clean Air Act and Prescribed Fire (September 16, 2026): A business meeting will take place September 16 regarding S.5045 (modifying Clean Air Act monitoring for prescribed fires), S.3135 (engine derate functions for vehicles in cold weather), and S.5249 (fuel cycle facility licensing).

Federal Government News

EPA Releases Environmental Impact Statements Notice of Availability (September 8, 2026)

The Environmental Protection Agency disclosed the availability of a series of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) filed between August 24 and August 31, 2026, submitted by multiple federal agencies. Project topics include radar installation, wildlife refuge management, oil and gas leasing, marine training, timber sales, and surface mining. EPA comment letters on these EISs are made public as required by Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act. This notice updates EIS review deadlines and clarifies DOE corrections related to project listings.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Marine Mammals and Endangered Species Research Permits Issued by NMFS

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service granted multiple permits for research and management involving marine mammals and endangered species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Permit recipients cover academic, private, and federal institutions, enabling work on cetaceans, pinnipeds, and endangered fish. The agency reports these activities are categorically excluded from the need for environmental impact statements under NEPA, and confirms each permit was applied for in good faith and will not negatively affect listed species.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Availability: Environmental Impact Statements Filed September 4, 2026

The EPA issued an updated weekly receipt of EIS filings covering projects such as the Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan, hydropower licensing for Hells Canyon, Carlsbad Resource Management Plan revisions, and Texas coastal restoration. Amendments were announced for the comment period of the Shore Road Bridge project EIS in New York. The notice includes contact information and guidance for public comment periods.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Issues Incidental Take Permit for Anadromous Fish Habitat Conservation in Washington

NOAA issued a 30-year incidental take permit to Pierce County, Washington, covering the operation and maintenance of flood risk reduction structures affecting threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Puyallup, White, and Nisqually rivers. The permit application included a Habitat Conservation Plan, received two public comment letters, and was accompanied by a final environmental assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact. The authorization is structured to ensure compliance with both the Endangered Species Act and NEPA.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Bureau of Land Management Calls for Nominations to Advisory Councils for Conservation Sites

BLM is soliciting nominations for two citizens’ advisory councils affiliated with its National Conservation Lands: the Steens Mountain Advisory Council in Oregon and the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area Advisory Council in Utah. Appointees will represent interests ranging from landowners and recreation groups to conservation organizations. Nominations must be submitted by October 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• States Sue Over Trump’s Cuts to Endangered Species Rules: Several U.S. states have filed suit challenging regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act.
• Opinion | Trump Is Trying to Defang the Endangered Species Act: The editorial critiques recent efforts to reduce federal endangered species protections.
• US states sue Trump administration for weakening endangered species protections: States pursue legal action against the previous administration's ESA rule changes.
• Lawsuit adds to allegations that Cameron Parish LNG terminals are hurting seafood industry: Litigation claims LNG terminal activity has impacted local oyster habitats.
• In North Carolina, a race is on to restore critical peatland before it dries up or is destroyed: Land managers are working to preserve peatlands at risk from climate and agriculture.
• A stronger-than-normal El Nino alarms scientists over Galápagos wildlife and forests: Researchers monitor El Niño’s effects on ecosystem health in the Galápagos.
• Tunkillia Environmental Scoping Report Approved: A key scoping report for the Tunkillia project has received regulatory approval.
• Opinion | Stopping California’s Climate Imperialism: Opinion piece critiques California’s influence on climate-related regulatory policy.

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