NEWS

The Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have proposed four rules to restore Endangered Species Act regulations to their 2019–2020 definitions, to improve the predictability of regulations and align implementation with statutes and recent Supreme Court rulings. The revisions would roll back 2024 changes that expanded federal reach. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a revised definition of waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) to align Clean Water Act protections with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling. The revised definition would reverse the previous administration's definition of WOTUS and exclude ditches, converted cropland, waste treatment systems, and groundwater from its scope.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved the Standardizing Permitting and Enhancing Economic Development Act with bipartisan support. The bill would streamline National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting reviews by narrowing their scope to direct impacts, imposing strict timelines, and limiting legal challenges. The goal is to bring greater clarity to the permitting process and more certainty to investments. 

The EU Parliament voted 402–250 to delay and simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Key elements include a proposed one-year delay for all EU businesses until December 30, 2026. Small and micro businesses will receive an additional six-month delay until June 30, 2027. The Commission will conduct a simplification review by April 30, 2026, which could present opportunities for changes that would benefit U.S. businesses.

With the federal government reopened, we are finally getting trade data through August. The volume of U.S. imports of hardwood plywood has grown by 21.7%; the dollar value is up by nearly 23%. Imports from Indonesia and Vietnam have grown by 63% and 44%, respectively.

PHOTO © JERRY GLASER, USCBP