Catalina Clouthier, Research Fellow Brigit Rollins, Staff AttorneyIn 2024, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) released a final rule regarding drain tile setbacks for federally-owned wetland easements in the Prairie Pothole Region. The 2024 final Drain Tile Setback
Latest from In: Environmental Law
Ninth Circuit Concludes United States Not Immune from Water Rights Lawsuit
In late September 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in a water rights dispute between Nevada ranchers and the federal government. The dispute centers on rights to use water in the Baker and Lehman Creeks in
UADA news article: EPA asked to add cancer warnings to pesticide labels
By Mary Hightower University of Arkansas Division of AgricultureFast facts
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- EPA receives petition to add warnings to pesticide labels
- Petition could take years, attorney says
A petition from the Center for Biological Diversity reflects an effort to change pesticide labeling
Litigation On-Going in Western Lake Erie Basin
Colby Johnson, Research Fellow Brigit Rollins, Staff AttorneyOn May 1, 2024, the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, City of Toledo, Ohio, and the Environmental Law & Policy Center filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regarding the water
UADA news article: Public comment period on new WOTUS supplemental proposal ends Oct. 9
By Mary Hightower University of Arkansas Division of AgricultureFast facts
- EPA, Army Corps of Engineers seek comments on November 2025 WOTUS proposal
- Public comments can be made online
- See Rollins’ full breakdown of the case online
The long road to
UADA news article; Illinois River filing: ‘end this case once and for all’
By Mary Hightower University of Arkansas Division of AgricultureFast Facts
- Parties ask for an expedited appeal of nearly $44 million settlement in Oklahoma
- The 10th Circuit stayed the December 2025 judgement
- Poultry litter, water quality case originally filed in 2005
WOTUS Update: EPA Seeks Comment on Supplemental Proposal
On September 9, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released a proposed rule to supplement and seek additional public comment on certain aspects on an earlier proposal to redefine the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) term “waters of the United States,”
Lawsuit Challenges Joint USDA-DOI Grazing Action Plan
On August 13, 2026, the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”), an environmental nonprofit organization, filed a lawsuit against the Department of…
Reclamation Releases Final EIS for Colorado River
The United States Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) has issued its final Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) report on the post-2026 operation of water resources and infrastructure in the Colorado River Basin. Current operating guidelines for the Basin are set to expire
Services Rescind ESA “Harm” Definition, Environmental Groups File Suit
On July 14, 2026, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) together with the National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) (collectively, “the Services”) finalized a rule to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). The