Lisa Landolt, Attorney & Counselor at Law

08/27/2026

THE EASTERN BLACK RAIL SAYS, "NOT SO FAST!"
ESA Section 7 Federal Conservation Requirements Will Continue to Protect Their Habitats, as Well as Other Threatened and Endangered Species.

Recent July 2026 changes to Endangered Species Act regulations do not eliminate Section 7, which continues to protect the habitats of threatened and endangered species by requiring federal agencies to conserve listed species and to review and minimize the effects of federal projects on those species and the habitats upon which they depend.

Section 7 continues to require federal agencies to use their authorities to conserve federally listed species, including the Eastern Black Rail, and to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species. Federal actions that may affect the species remain subject to the Section 7 consultation process.

Projects within the Upper Texas Coast that are federally authorized, funded, permitted, or carried out, including the 25-year Coastal Texas Project on Bolivar Peninsula, will continue to require ESA review where they may affect Eastern Black Rail or other listed species and their habitats. These continuing federal requirements will remain relevant to conservation and mitigation demand in the region.

For more information:
https://www.fws.gov/services/consultation-and-technical-assistance/esa-section-7-consultation

08/08/2026

We are announcing the official release of WHERE FIREFLIES DANCE!

This is our first film from Solar Flare Films, and it is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, and other platforms. We have additional original films currently in development.

Watch the trailer for WHERE FIREFLIES DANCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HycOU98JXA

Please share, and post a review after you watch the film. Watch for Obi the dog--you'll love him!

08/01/2026

Gulf Coast Protection District is exploring whether Blue Carbon credits could help fund the Coastal Texas Project on Bolivar Peninsula. Blue carbon credits are generated by restoring or protecting coastal wetlands, such as marshes, which naturally capture and store carbon dioxide in their plants and soil, helping to reduce greenhouse gases. These credits can then be sold to organizations seeking to offset their carbon emissions.

The research will evaluate whether protecting marshes within the easement areas GCPD acquires for the GIWW G28 Rockwall Project could generate verified blue carbon credits to help finance the Project. Will landowners be compensated for those Blue Carbon credits from their easements?

https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/rice-study-explores-blue-carbon-financing-texas-coastal-protection?fbclid=IwY2xjawTa5yVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCQzltOENNSWhIN0QzYldPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgJYyz0K0kzATrJQcLpmbp5EaG4lT1RjtGRPRU1-bEZVr13YcO9TiUgUmjGy_aem_17MAVR5vMEqSmsizl4l7qQ

Rice researchers will investigate whether carbon credits could provide a new source of funding for a major coastal erosion and wetland protection project along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Galveston County.

07/30/2026

Rollover Pass Pier, that is taking the place of Rollover Pass in Gilchrist on Bolivar Peninsula, was slated to open officially in July. Delays now have pushed it back 6 months to open in December 2026.

https://www.chron.com/gulf-coast/article/texas-bolivar-fishing-pier-opening-22366087.php?utm_campaign=CMS&fbclid=IwY2xjawTYVEdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETEwaDl2RDd6QktsZHZzTG81c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHj1xbkLQvFkbLPTYHiJnjIf368giVS1yFvY7_vxtEM-j3Bo1ewESa93ZEnSd_aem_v5MQy4BsqLPMccsD8_9VsA

Anglers have been counting the days for this unveiling.

07/25/2026

UPDATE: We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Jackie the Bald Eagle of Big Bear Valley and all of our hearts. We are grateful for the joy and education she brought to all of us as we watched her with Shadow and their eaglets these past years. Fly high, Jackie!

Original Post:
Great news for Jackie and Shadow's eagle habitat: Friends of Big Bear Valley announced Friday that the $10 million needed to save their Moon Camp habitat along Big Bear Lake has been secured.
Meanwhile, we still await news on Jackie, who is in vet care after health issues and a fight with two eagles. We should hear another update on Monday. 🙏

Jackie and Shadow are a famous pair of wild bald eagles nesting in California's San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake. Since 2018, their dramatic lives, from raising eaglets to surviving harsh weather and nest intruders, have been broadcast globally via a wildly popular live cam operated by the nonprofit Friends of Bear Valley. See friendsofbigbearvalley.org

https://ktla.com/news/california/big-bear-bald-eagles-habitat-saved-10-million-raised-moon-camp/

There’s some good news for fans of beloved bald eagles Jackie and Shadow. Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the wildly popular nest live cam, announced Friday that the $10 million ne…

07/23/2026

Update on the Anthropic Copyright Infringement Lawsuit regarding AI using published books without authorization. The final settlement payment per book is $3,000, with some publishers taking half. The settlement also requires that Anthorpic destroy the original files from the books they used.

"On July 20, 2026, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted final approval of the landmark $1.5 billion class action settlement in Bartz v. Anthropic and entered final judgment in the case. The order comes some ten and a half months after the parties reached a historic settlement in the closely watched copyright infringement lawsuit over unauthorized uses of authors’ works in AI training and development."

On July 20, 2026, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted final approval of the landmark $1.5 billion class action settlement in Bartz v. Anthropic and entered final judgment in the case. […]

07/17/2026

It is with great sadness to announce the loss of my buddy and client, Nigel the Granbury Kangaroo. My heart and prayers are with his wonderful human mom, Briana. She gave him a wonderful, full, amazing life. Thank you for sharing your world with me.

The City of Granbury and Hood County are honoring Nigel today -- and please join in the celebration of his life. We love you, Nigel!

REST IN PEACE, NIGEL 💙🦘

Some animals become pets. Others become legends.

For many across Hood County, Nigel wasn’t just a kangaroo. He was one of the most recognizable and beloved animals our community has ever known.

Nigel captured the hearts of thousands after his famous 2023 adventure, when he escaped his Granbury home and sparked a countywide search involving neighbors, volunteers, drones, and even statewide news coverage. The entire community celebrated when he was safely reunited with his family.

Today, Hood County says goodbye to an unforgettable local icon.

Nigel brought smiles to children, laughter to families, and reminded us all that sometimes the most unexpected stories become the ones we never forget. He wasn’t just known in Granbury. His story reached people across Texas and beyond, putting our community in the national spotlight for all the right reasons.

To Briana and everyone who loved Nigel, we extend our heartfelt condolences. Losing a cherished animal is losing a member of the family, and our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Thank you, Nigel, for the memories, the smiles, and for becoming a little piece of Hood County history.

Rest easy, buddy. You’ll never be forgotten. ❤️🦘

07/13/2026

There is a new proposed 168 mile project along the Texas coast including Galveston county. "Last month, Congressman Randy Weber introduced the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 9325), legislation that would establish a recreation area spanning portions of Jefferson, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda counties along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. The proposal is designed to expand recreation opportunities, support conservation, encourage tourism, and strengthen stewardship of one of the nation’s most valuable coastal landscapes."

A June 19 Chron report describes the proposal as a “168-mile non-contiguous corridor from Sabine Pass to the western tip of Matagorda Island.”

https://gcpdtexas.com/viewpoints/the-lone-star-coastal-national-recreation-area-a-texas-led-vision-for-coastal-resilience-conservation-and-economic-growth/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTCPt1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5-zlaJOndHieYapXbneegPe5V6w9zUAnjsDgSxhjw9XV1gWF1wQMU9bS19A_aem_w4ZZQNVU-uYOEcwy_8ny9w

The Texas Gulf Coast is one of America’s most important coastal regions—supporting critical industry, world-class ecosystems, outdoor recreation, tourism, and millions of residents. Now, a new federal proposal seeks to strengthen and celebrate these assets while advancing a broader vision of Tex...

06/27/2026

Great news for Goat Island off Bolivar Peninsula! The Galveston Bay Foundation in coordination with Ducks Unlimited will permanently protect and restore Goat Island. "This incredible landscape is made up primarily of tidal salt marshes that provide essential habitat for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife while also helping protect water quality throughout the Bay."

Big land conservation news! 🌿🎉

Galveston Bay Foundation is proud to announce the acquisition of nearly 1,500 acres on Goat Island, permanently protecting critical coastal habitat in East Galveston Bay!

This incredible landscape is made up primarily of tidal salt marshes that provide essential habitat for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife while also helping protect water quality throughout the Bay.

This is just the beginning. As the long-term steward of Goat Island, GBF will work to restore and strengthen these wetlands through future habitat restoration projects, helping this important ecosystem remain resilient for generations to come.

Every acre protected is another step toward a healthier, more resilient Galveston Bay. 💙

🔗 Click the link to read the full press release: https://www.galvbay.org/post/gbf-acquires-goat-island

05/19/2026

An update on the Coastal Texas Project impacting Bolivar Peninsula (G28).

🚨 Major Win for
A draft of the FY27 Energy & Water bill includes $10.6 million for the Coastal Texas Project—a strong sign the federal government continues to prioritize this historic effort. Big thanks to Congressman Randy Weber for his ongoing leadership and advocacy in keeping the protection of Texas’ Gulf Coast a national priority, as well as Chairman Chuck Fleischmann and Vice Chair Michael Cloud for their recent visit to our area.

What’s Next:
✅ House and Senate must pass their respective FY27 appropriations bills
📝 Final bill must be approved by both chambers
✍️ Signed into law by the President
💰 Funding is officially appropriated and becomes available for the project

Let’s keep the momentum going. 🌊