Natural Resources Law – Environmental and Energy Law Program

Regulatory Tracker

Marine National Monuments & Marine Sanctuaries

The Biden administration has restored marine monument protections and has designated new marine sanctuaries.

October 16, 2024

CleanLaw Podcast

CleanLaw — Monumental Decisions

Sara Dewey chats with Andy Mergen about presidential authority under the Antiquities Act and what Supreme Court actions might mean for the future of our monuments.

August 22, 2024

Regulatory Tracker

National Monuments

The Biden administration has worked to restore and expand national monument protections rolled back during the Trump administration and has created several new ones.

August 20, 2024

Regulatory Tracker

Endangered Species Act Regulations

The Trump administration issued five Endangered Species Act implementing regulations, and the Biden administration has revised or rescinded all five rules.

August 1, 2024

Regulatory Tracker

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Oil and Gas Development

There are no active leases in the refuge. The administration is required by law to conduct a second lease sale in the Coastal Plain by December 2024.

July 2, 2024

Regulatory Tracker

Oil and Gas Development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve

The Biden administration reversed the Trump administration’s decision to open much of the NPR-A to oil and gas development and added new protections in a final rule published on May 7, 2024. Litigation is ongoing.

June 28, 2024

Student Work

Addressing Wildfire Risks in our National Forests

The Biden administration’s strategy to address wildfire and related health risks and how the Forest Service uses LMPs to manage national forests.

April 24, 2024

Regulatory Tracker

Bristol Bay and the Pebble Mine

In March 2024, the State of Alaska filed a complaint against the federal government seeking $700 billion in compensation for the inability to mine the Pebble deposit.

March 13, 2024

CleanLaw Podcast

CleanLaw — The Endangered Species Act at 50: Potent Statute, Risky Future

Richard Lazarus and Andy Mergen discuss the initial bipartisan support for the ESA, the Supreme Court cases that shaped its implementation, and risks it may face in the future.

January 17, 2024