Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Belgium: Flanders Consultation on Scoping for PlanMER Nature Restoration Plan (26 March–7 May 2026)

The Flemish government has launched a public consultation on the scoping of the PlanMER “Natuurherstelplan” (Nature Restoration Plan) from 26 March to 7 May 2026. This early-stage step signals upcoming biodiversity and land-use measures in Flanders, so affected operators should monitor the process and consider submitting input where restoration priorities could impact permitting and future projects.

10 Apr 2026, 15:26inspraak.omgeving.vlaanderen.beBelgium

Netherlands Senate Publishes Witteveen+Bos Nitrogen Deposition Assessment for Energy Infrastructure and Natura 2000 Habitats

In April 2026 the **Dutch Senate** published a **165‑page Witteveen+Bos assessment**, commissioned by the **Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate**, on nitrogen deposition from construction of energy infrastructure and subsequent industrial decarbonisation across **143 nitrogen‑sensitive habitat types in 35 Natura 2000 areas**.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf) Using worst‑case AERIUS modelling and a habitat‑by‑habitat decision tree, the report finds that temporary construction contributions of **≤1 mol N/ha/year** are ecologically negligible for most habitats, that only a small, already‑vulnerable subset shows a non‑negligible risk of quality deterioration, and that the combined effect of construction plus decarbonisation is a **neutral to slightly positive nitrogen balance** with **no generic ecological barrier** to energy‑infrastructure projects.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf) The study is intended as an evidence base for potential Dutch national nitrogen‑permitting routes for energy‑infrastructure and industrial sustainability projects, while underlining the need for better standardised ecological data and monitoring.[^2^](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-1242754.pdf)

10 Apr 2026, 13:28zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

US FERC Opens NEPA Scoping and Comment Period for Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect Projects

FERC has opened a NEPA scoping and public comment process to update the environmental review for the long‑delayed Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect natural gas projects in Pennsylvania and New York, with comments due by 4 May 2026.[^1^](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/08/2026-06767/environmental-impact-statements-availability-etc-constitution-pipeline-co-llc-and-iroquois-gas#:~:text=To%20ensure%20that%20your%20comments%20are%20timely%20and%20properly%20recorded) This signals renewed momentum behind a 650,000 Dth/d gas pipeline expansion and gives environmental, community, and market stakeholders a time‑bound opportunity to influence the scope of FERC’s updated EA/EIS and the Commission’s ultimate certificate decision.[^1^](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/08/2026-06767/environmental-impact-statements-availability-etc-constitution-pipeline-co-llc-and-iroquois-gas#:~:text=The%20Commission%20will%20use%20the%20forthcoming%20environmental%20document%20in%20its%20decision-making)

10 Apr 2026, 13:10federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Issues Draft EIS for Sabine Pass Stage 5 LNG and Pipeline Expansion

In April 2026 the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Sabine Pass Stage 5 LNG terminal and pipeline expansion in Texas and Louisiana, opening a public comment period until 26 May 2026. The review finds mostly limited but some long-term wetland and air-quality impacts, so LNG and pipeline operators and nearby industrial stakeholders should track this NEPA process closely as it will shape final mitigation requirements, Clean Water Act permits and federal approvals under the Natural Gas Act.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07federalregister.govUnited States

EU Commission To Issue WFD Guidance On Mining Permits And Drinking Water Protection

In April 2026, the European Commission used an answer to an EP question on a Swedish mining project to restate strict Water Framework and Drinking Water Directive requirements and flag forthcoming EU guidance on applying these rules to mining permits. Mining operators and drinking‑water providers should watch for this guidance, which is likely to sharpen how national authorities evaluate deterioration risks and catchment protection in future permitting, even though no new EU legal obligations arise from this answer alone.

10 Apr 2026, 12:38europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Council Circulates Portuguese Parliament Subsidiarity Opinion on EU Environmental Assessments Proposal (COM(2025) 984)

In late March 2026, the Portuguese Parliament’s Committee on European Affairs sent a subsidiarity and proportionality opinion on the Commission proposal to accelerate and digitalise EU environmental assessments (COM(2025) 984), which the Council’s General Secretariat circulated to delegations via a cover note dated 07 April 2026. The opinion confirms Article 192(1) TFEU as the legal basis, describes the proposal’s objectives (harmonised, digitalised and time‑limited environmental assessments benefiting citizens, businesses and administrations) and argues that these objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by Member States acting alone, but the accessible PDF does not show the full concluding assessment or requested amendments; the opinion does not itself change compliance obligations.

10 Apr 2026, 12:32data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Idaho Bill H0977 Proposes Stricter Oversight of Cloud Seeding Activities

Idaho has introduced House Bill 977 to tighten control over cloud seeding by requiring legislative approval, independent environmental review, and felony penalties for unauthorized weather‑modification activities. If adopted, this would significantly raise legal and reputational risk for any entities involved in cloud seeding in Idaho and make future projects contingent on legislative decisions and third‑party impact assessments.

10 Apr 2026, 10:36legislature.idaho.govUnited States

Minnesota House Environment Committee Schedules 9 April 2026 Hearing on Feedlot Financial Assurance and Large Livestock EIS Bills

Minnesota is considering legislation (HF 4740 and HF 3940) to mandate financial assurance for feedlots and trigger automatic environmental impact statements for large-scale livestock projects. If enacted, operators face increased capital requirements for closure bonding and more rigorous, time-intensive permitting processes for facility expansions or new developments.

9 Apr 2026, 14:15revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Schedules Comment Clinics on Cumulative Impacts Rulemaking (April 2026)

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled public comment clinics for April 2026 to prepare stakeholders for upcoming cumulative impacts rulemaking affecting air permit applications in environmental justice areas. Operators in the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester should prepare for more stringent permitting requirements, including mandatory cumulative impact analyses and community benefit agreements, as the draft rule text is expected by May 2026.

9 Apr 2026, 14:12pca.state.mn.usUnited States

China MEE Publishes Notice Accepting EIA for Fujian Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment has formally accepted the Environmental Impact Assessment for Fujian Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Units 5 and 6, triggering a public comment period through mid-April 2026. This advancement signals continued momentum in China's nuclear expansion, requiring energy sector stakeholders to monitor final siting approvals and subsequent construction timelines.

9 Apr 2026, 10:32mee.gov.cnChina

USDA Finalises Department-Wide NEPA Regulations and Consolidates Categorical Exclusions

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalized a department-wide rule, effective April 3, 2026, consolidating NEPA procedures and implementing statutory page and time limits for environmental reviews. This streamlining of categorical exclusions and review timelines is intended to accelerate permitting for agriculture, forestry, and rural infrastructure projects while centralizing compliance oversight.

9 Apr 2026, 09:45federalregister.govUnited States

US NOAA Seeks Comment on Management Plan Review for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA has initiated a formal review of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary management plan, seeking public input through May 2026. This process will redefine the long-term conservation and operational framework for offshore activities, potentially impacting shipping, energy development, and commercial fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

6 Apr 2026, 20:02federalregister.govUnited States

France Senate Receives Flood Prevention Bill for Local Authorities

France is advancing legislation to streamline flood prevention and management, including simplified environmental assessments and faster approval for local protection programmes. Businesses with sites in flood-prone areas may see changes in land-use planning and potentially faster implementation of local infrastructure projects.

6 Apr 2026, 20:00senat.frFrance

US Interior Department Proposes NEPA Categorical Exclusion for BLM Timber Salvage Harvest

The US Department of the Interior proposed a new NEPA categorical exclusion on April 6, 2026, to streamline environmental reviews for large-scale timber salvage operations on Bureau of Land Management lands. This shift toward expedited permitting for post-disturbance land management aims to reduce project lead times for forestry and infrastructure stakeholders by bypassing lengthy environmental assessments.

6 Apr 2026, 19:45federalregister.govUnited States

US BLM Proposes NEPA Categorical Exclusion for Forest and Woodland Density Management Up to 5,000 Acres

The US Bureau of Land Management proposed a new NEPA categorical exclusion to significantly streamline environmental reviews for forest density management projects up to 5,000 acres. This move reflects a broader federal push for permitting reform, reducing administrative delays for land management activities and potentially accelerating resource-related operations on federal lands.

6 Apr 2026, 19:44govinfo.govUnited States

Netherlands Court: Manure Co-Digestion Plant Not an Integrated Chemical Installation Under EIA Decree

A Dutch court has ruled that manure co-digestion plants producing green gas do not qualify as "integrated chemical installations" under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Decree. This decision provides regulatory relief for biogas operators by clarifying that full EIA obligations are not automatically triggered when digestate is managed as a residual stream rather than a manufactured fertilizer.

6 Apr 2026, 16:05uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

UK Government Confirms EIA-Based Marine Licensing Approach for BBNJ Activities in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

The UK government has confirmed it will implement Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements for marine activities in international waters via secondary legislation under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Operators in sectors such as telecommunications, marine research, and spaceflight must prepare for new licensing obligations and screening processes once the BBNJ Agreement enters into force.

5 Apr 2026, 19:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Montana DEQ and BLM Seek Comment on Bridger Pipeline Expansion Under Major Facility Siting Act

Montana DEQ and the BLM have opened a public comment period through May 1, 2026, for the proposed 647-mile Bridger Pipeline crude oil expansion project. This represents a critical permitting and environmental review phase where stakeholder input can influence route selection, mitigation requirements, and final project approval.

5 Apr 2026, 18:42deq.mt.govUnited States

Chile President Kast Backs Environment Ministry Priorities On SBAP, Permitting And REP Waste Law

Chile’s presidency has confirmed a 2026 environmental agenda focused on streamlining investment project permitting and revising the Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) waste framework. Operators should anticipate legislative reforms aimed at reducing administrative backlogs in environmental assessments while tightening waste management and biodiversity compliance.

5 Apr 2026, 18:41mma.gob.clChile

Peru (MIDAGRI) Opens Consultation on Draft Resolution Updating Nine Environmental Technical Form Templates for Projects Overlapping Protected Areas

Peru’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) is consulting on updated Environmental Technical Form (FTA) templates for projects overlapping protected natural areas and conservation zones through mid-April 2026. Proponents of agrarian and irrigation activities should evaluate these revised reporting requirements to ensure continued compliance and mitigate permitting risks in environmentally sensitive regions.

5 Apr 2026, 18:26busquedas.elperuano.pePeru