October 18, 2026 to October 24, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

FCC Advances Modernization of National Environmental Policy Act Rules

The Federal Communications Commission has opened a further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) regarding its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules, seeking public comment on possible changes to its National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) framework and the extent to which communications infrastructure deployments should be classified as 'undertakings.' The FCC also solicits input on procedures for Section 106 reviews, batching of submissions, handling of non-compliant towers, and emergency response protocols. The Commission asks whether certain infrastructure activities should be considered 'agency actions' under the Endangered Species Act and provides an initial regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact on small entities. Comments are due November 18, 2026, with reply comments by December 3, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

National Park Service Finalizes Alaska Wildlife and Harvest Rule

The National Park Service has finalized a rule restoring the regulatory framework for hunting, fishing, trapping, and subsistence activities in Alaska’s park areas, returning to procedures established under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The rule allows state-regulated bear baiting, relaxes permit requirements for animal parts used in handicrafts, reinstates public hearings before closures on harvests, and clarifies consultation requirements for local communities. Falconry and trapping rules revert to pre-2015 standards, and emergency closures are capped at 30 days. The changes become effective November 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Renews Information Collection for South Pacific Tuna Act Compliance

NOAA announced the renewal of its information collection for compliance with the South Pacific Tuna Act. Under this extension, U.S. purse seine vessel operators must continue submitting vessel registration, licensing, catch, and unloading data to meet U.S. obligations under the treaty with Pacific Island States. The collection supports assessments of fishing effort and enforcement in affected EEZs, with public comments open for 30 days following publication.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Seeks Comments on West Coast Region Groundfish Electronic Fish Ticket Program Extension

NOAA has initiated a 30-day public comment period for the extension of the West Coast Region Groundfish Electronic Fish Ticket Program. The program requires shorebased first receivers and fishing operations to submit electronic landings data for the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. The information supports quota management and regulatory compliance, with respondent obligations stemming from the Magnuson-Stevens Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 660.113.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Announces America First Seafood Strategy and Seafood.gov Launch

The Trump Administration unveiled the America First Seafood Strategy, introducing Seafood.gov as a central resource for U.S. seafood industry stakeholders. The initiative aims to expand processing infrastructure, lower regulatory hurdles, encourage investment, and combat unfair imports. The program is supported by $5 billion in USDA-guaranteed loans and features a voluntary 'U.S. Caught Seafood' label through FDA. Additional actions focus on restoring fishing access and strengthening American seafood's market position.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• 5 Takeaways From Our Investigation of Trump’s Waivers for Polluters: Investigation examines the scope and implications of pollution waivers issued by the Trump administration.
• They Were Accused of Illegal Fishing. They Ended Up in ICE Detention.: An overview of how illegal fishing allegations resulted in ICE detentions under recent U.S. enforcement.
• Opinion | The Northeast Climate Revolt: The Wall Street Journal discusses recent electoral backlash to climate policies in Northeast U.S. states.
• How the gold boom is fuelling tree loss from Ghana to the Amazon: Reporting on deforestation linked to global gold extraction, with examples from Ghana and South America.
• Losing Ground in the Climate Fight: Analysis of recent policy trends and their effects on U.S. climate progress.
• Human rights commission urges oversight of technology used in Latin American environmental crime: AP details calls for greater oversight on tech tools—such as drones—used in Latin American environmental crime.
• Activist Jana takes stake in Casella Waste, urges changes: Reuters covers activist investor Jana’s push for changes at Casella Waste management.
• World faces nature reality check at UN biodiversity conference: Preview of major issues at the UN biodiversity conference as global targets are assessed.

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