United States: Water

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued draft interim staff guidance (ISG or draft guidance), DANU-ISG-2026-XX, “NRC Application Pathway for Reactor Designs Previously Authorized...

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s recent approval of a federal Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed Sites Reservoir Project is a major milestone for one of California’s most debated new water-supply proposals. This approval advances federal environmental review and signals a clearer federal role, but debate over the project’s permitting, financing, and operations continues. The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s January 23, 2026, ROD essentially approves the project environmentally and allows it to move forward in a meaningful way.

The deep sea mining sector experienced significant developments in Q1 2026, with the International Seabed Authority failing to approve exploitation activities while investigating potential contractor non-compliance. Meanwhile, the Trump administration advanced U.S. mining interests through streamlined licensing processes and domestic processing initiatives, as Japan accelerated its rare earth extraction efforts and strengthened cooperation with the United States on critical mineral supply chains.

A new California Court of Appeal decision – Department of Water Resources Cases (March 26, 2026) --- Cal.Rptr.3d ----, 2026 WL 835863 (Case No. C103207) – provides important...

On March 26, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a 60-day public consultation on the draft opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the proposal restriction to per-...

On March 30, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed extending the reporting deadline for the Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule under the Toxic Substance Control Act...

Baker Botts' 39th Annual Environmental Seminar featured two breakout sessions covering the latest environmental, safety and incident response developments and trends.

During Baker Botts' 39th Annual Environmental, Safety & Incident Response Seminar on January 28, 2026, Partner Paulina Williams led a session with Lee Forsgren, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works) ...

Many California businesses expect narrower federal wetlands jurisdiction to simplify permitting. It often creates the opposite result.