Wetlands

Oregon Enacts HB 5203 Increasing Removal‑Fill and Wetland Permit Fees Through 2030

Oregon has enacted HB 5203, an emergency state financial administration act that approves new multi‑year fee schedules for state agencies, including significantly higher Department of State Lands removal‑fill, wetland determination and delineation fees for 2026–2030. For operators planning projects that disturb wetlands or waters of the state, these higher DSL application and review charges will materially increase permitting costs over the next five years and should be factored into project timing, capital planning and bid pricing.

10 Apr 2026, 15:42olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Louisiana SB 452 Would Ban Most Coastal Use Permits on Lake Maurepas From August 2026

Louisiana Senate Bill 452 proposes to ban the issuance of most coastal use permits for construction or work on Lake Maurepas, effective August 2026. Operators in the region must evaluate planned projects against narrow exemptions for existing infrastructure and dredging to avoid significant permitting roadblocks and operational delays.

3 Apr 2026, 18:49legis.la.govUnited States

Delaware Senate Introduces SB 9 to Create Statewide Nontidal Wetlands Permitting Program

Delaware has introduced SB 9 to establish a comprehensive state-level permitting program for tidal and nontidal wetlands, filling gaps in federal jurisdiction. Businesses in development, infrastructure, and agriculture should prepare for expanded state oversight, mandatory mitigation, and a "no net loss" standard for project approvals.

3 Apr 2026, 18:40legis.delaware.govUnited States

New Hampshire DES Adopts Env-C 800 Ecological Review Rule For Threatened And Endangered Species

New Hampshire has formalized ecological review procedures under Env-C 800, effective January 2026, for projects impacting threatened or endangered species. Businesses must integrate a mandatory 60-day review period and annual permit screening renewals into project timelines to avoid delays in environmental permitting.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22des.nh.govUnited States

EU Commission Issues Guidance on Adapting Natura 2000 Sites to Climate Change

The European Commission issued updated guidance on March 25, 2026, for adapting Natura 2000 sites to climate change under the Birds and Habitats Directives. While non-binding, this framework signals more dynamic land-use management and potential adjustments to site boundaries, impacting infrastructure and industrial planning near protected areas.

31 Mar 2026, 19:10environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Minnesota House Introduces HF4764 On Wetland Replacement Siting Priorities

Minnesota introduced HF4764 in March 2026 to eliminate geographic exemptions for wetland banking, requiring all mitigation to follow a strict local-to-regional siting hierarchy. This change will likely increase operational complexity and limit flexibility for developers and infrastructure owners relying on wetland credits for project compliance.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota Senate Introduces SF 4911 To Modify Wetland Replacement Siting Rules

Minnesota introduced SF 4911 in March 2026 to revise the siting and priority requirements for wetland replacement and banking. This proposal could shift the geographic constraints and cost structures for project developers required to offset wetland impacts within the state.

27 Mar 2026, 20:51revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Seeks Comment on Draft CWA Section 401 Certification for TH 74 Culvert Replacements (Winona County)

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking public comment on a draft Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification for a culvert replacement project in Winona County through April 8, 2026. This project highlights the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of infrastructure impacts on local aquatic ecosystems and the requirement for strict adherence to state antidegradation standards.

27 Mar 2026, 07:55scs-public.s3-us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.comUnited States

Minnesota HF 3898: Committee Packet Posted For Hearing On Pesticide Protections For Wild‑Rice Waters

Minnesota is advancing legislation (HF 3898) to establish strict pesticide protections for wild-rice waters, including enhanced enforcement and mandatory impact assessments. Pesticide manufacturers and applicators face increased liability risks and more stringent operational requirements near sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

27 Mar 2026, 07:52revisor.mn.govUnited States

Virginia DEQ Opens Hearing and Comment on Surface Water Withdrawal Permit VWP 24-2886 (Lexington, VA)

Virginia DEQ has opened a public comment period and hearing for a draft surface water withdrawal permit (VWP 24-2886) involving significant water usage and chemical buffer zones. This development signals tightening oversight on water stewardship and chemical runoff management, requiring operators to integrate drought planning and nutrient management into site operations.

26 Mar 2026, 12:14deq.virginia.govUnited States

Michigan Public Act 30 of 2025 (SB 579) — Updates NREPA Water, Stormwater, and Hazardous Waste Fees

Michigan has enacted Public Act 30 of 2025, immediately updating fee schedules for water discharge, stormwater, and hazardous waste permits through 2029. Industrial operators must revise compliance budgets for increased permit costs and ensure strict adherence to annual January payment deadlines to avoid penalties.

25 Mar 2026, 21:29legislature.mi.govUnited States

New Jersey Adopts REAL Rule Amendments to Flood, Wetlands, Stormwater and Coastal Rules

New Jersey has adopted the Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rule amendments, effective January 20, 2026, to integrate climate-adjusted flood elevations and sea-level rise projections into land use and stormwater permits. Businesses with New Jersey operations must assess infrastructure resilience and permit applications immediately, as legacy provisions for existing projects expire on July 20, 2026.

25 Mar 2026, 21:26dep.nj.govUnited States

Defra Publishes First Land Use Framework For England

The UK government has published England’s first Land Use Framework, establishing a strategic vision to balance food security, nature recovery, and infrastructure development through 2030. Businesses in the energy, agriculture, and construction sectors should prepare for more integrated spatial planning and potential shifts in land-use incentives as the framework is translated into binding planning policy.

20 Mar 2026, 15:57gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California Assembly Amends AB 2260 on Small Restoration Water-Use Registrations

California is advancing AB 2260 to create a streamlined registration process for "small restoration use" water rights, bypassing the lengthy full appropriation permit for eligible projects. This reform simplifies compliance for small-scale habitat and wildlife restoration initiatives, enabling faster implementation of nature-based solutions and water stewardship projects.

19 Mar 2026, 19:34leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

New York Senate Bill S9479 Would Expand Tidal Wetlands Definition To Marine And Coastal District

New York has introduced Senate Bill S9479 to expand the statutory definition of tidal wetlands to encompass the entire marine and coastal district. This expansion would broaden the state's regulatory oversight, likely increasing permitting complexity and land-use restrictions for coastal operations and infrastructure projects.

19 Mar 2026, 19:26nysenate.govUnited States

Mississippi MDEQ Extends Informal Comment Period for State Water Alteration Program (SWAP) ANPRM to 5 October 2026

Mississippi has extended the informal comment period for its new State Water Alteration Program (SWAP) regulatory framework until October 5, 2026. This extension provides a critical window for businesses to influence the permitting requirements and compliance costs for future projects impacting state wetlands and surface waters.

17 Mar 2026, 19:33mdeq.ms.govUnited States

North Carolina DEQ Implements New Certificate of Coverage Process for Clean Water Act 401 General Certifications

North Carolina DEQ is launching a new Certificate of Coverage process for Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications starting March 15, 2026. Project leads must reassess impact thresholds to identify whether activities qualify for streamlined state approval or require lengthy individual water quality permits.

14 Mar 2026, 14:48deq.nc.govUnited States

Chile Publishes Declaration of Rocuant–Andalién in Talcahuano as Urban Wetland

Chile has officially designated the Rocuant-Andalién wetland as a protected urban wetland, covering over 1,300 hectares in the Biobío Region. This designation triggers stricter land-use regulations and mandatory environmental impact assessments for any industrial or commercial activities within the protected perimeter.

12 Mar 2026, 11:12mma.gob.clChile

Chile Council of Ministers Approves Protected Salt-Flats Network in Antofagasta Region

Chile's Council of Ministers approved six new national parks in the Antofagasta Region on March 6, 2026, protecting over 184,000 hectares of salt flats. This move restricts lithium extraction and industrial activity in these zones, requiring mining operators to reassess land-use rights and permitting strategies under the National Lithium Strategy.

10 Mar 2026, 17:51mma.gob.clChile

Minnesota EQB Updates Environmental Review Climate Calculator to Version 1.2

Minnesota has updated its Environmental Review Climate Calculator to version 1.2, introducing new quantitative mitigation features and expanded wetland land types. Businesses operating in Minnesota must adopt these updated calculation methods for environmental impact assessments to ensure compliance with evolving state climate reporting standards.

9 Mar 2026, 17:32content.govdelivery.comUnited States