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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Dates: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: Hearing on S.3135—EPA Cold Weather Engine Rules: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee schedules a hearing on S.3135, requiring EPA to authorize manufacturers to suspend engine derate or shutdown functions during prolonged cold weather. The meeting will occur in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562, on March 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Federal Government News

EPA Proposes Deletion of Sites from National Priorities List

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of intent to delete six sites and partially delete two sites from the National Priorities List under CERCLA. EPA and collaborating state agencies have determined that all removal actions are complete and no further Fund-financed response is required for these sites. Public comments on the proposed deletions remain open until April 3, 2026. EPA will conduct five-year reviews for sites where hazardous substances remain above unrestricted levels and may restore deleted sites to the list if necessary. Table 1 of the notice lists affected sites in Illinois, New York, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and Nebraska. Deletion action does not impact site liability or prevent future remedial actions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Proposes 2026 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation and Incidental Set-Aside

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service published a proposed rule establishing the 2026 Tribal allocation for Pacific whiting and a set-aside for research and incidental mortality in non-groundfish fisheries. The proposed measures aim to prevent overfishing and ensure tribal treaty rights under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. For 2026, only the Makah Tribe intends to participate, requesting 17.5% of the U.S. TAC, consistent with prior years. NMFS set a 750 metric ton research and incidental mortality set-aside, unchanged from recent recommendations. The open comment period extends to March 23, 2026. Final allocations await the Joint Management Committee's TAC recommendation, expected by March 25.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FWS Receives Recovery Permit Applications for Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received permit applications for scientific research and conservation activities involving several endangered and threatened species. Notable requests include surveys for Big Sandy and Guyandotte River crayfish in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia; activities affecting all federally listed plant and wildlife species in the Northeast Region; and proposed propagation and translocation efforts for Candy Darter in West Virginia. Written comments may be submitted through April 6, 2026. The Service will review all applications and issue permits as appropriate under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A).

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Announces Amendment 58B for Gulf Reef Fish

Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for Gulf Reef Fish is available for comment. The proposal updates catch levels, management measures, and sector allocations for the deep-water grouper complex based on recent scientific assessments. Sector allocations would shift to 89.79% commercial and 10.21% recreational, with revised annual catch limits reflecting reduced projections. The new recreational accountability measure institutes a moving 3-year average to constrain overages. Comments on Amendment 58B must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Releases Environmental Impact Statements for Multiple Projects

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of new Environmental Impact Statements filed between February 23 and March 2, 2026. The EISs address projects in Pennsylvania, Utah, Arizona, and Oregon, including critical minerals and watershed plans. The Army Corps of Engineers extends comment periods for flood risk and resiliency studies in Missouri and telescope research facilities in Hawaii. The listings clarify review periods and contacts for each project, with public input deadlines ranging from April 8 to April 20.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act

Bill 972, concerning conservation and pipeline management in Sloan Canyon, advanced in the House with a message sent on Senate action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act

Bill 952, relating to conveyance of reversionary land interests, was ordered to be reported favorably without amendment by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ACRES Act

Bill 204, the ACRES Act, was ordered to be reported favorably without amendment by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

Bill 1829, addressing conveyance of land in Apache and Navajo counties, was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2025

Bill 398 on geothermal cost-recovery measures was ordered to be reported by unanimous consent in the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky

Bill 1276 reached the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and was ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Sources: www.congress.gov

GEO Act

Bill 301, the GEO Act, regarding energy provisions, was ordered to be reported by unanimous consent in the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act

Bill 1945, designating America's National Churchill Museum as a national historic landmark, was received in the Senate.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• A Carbon Project in the Amazon Is Under Investigation. Some Companies Reaped the Benefits Anyway.: A carbon offset project faces scrutiny as companies benefit from disputed credits.
• Why an Army Corps project could wipe out one of Florida’s last thriving coral reefs: An Army Corps construction plan may threaten critical coral reef habitat in Florida.
• ‘Presidential Timber’ Is Hard to Find: The opinion details rising demand and diminishing supply for specialty quality timber.
• ‘It’s too warm': Greenland’s fishermen are under threat from climate change: Greenland's fishing community is experiencing shifts due to warming ocean conditions.

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