After receiving nearly 6,500 public comments, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council voted unanimously to add mining as a sector with infrastructure projects eligible for coverage under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41). Established in 2015, FAST-41’s intent was to improve the timelines of the federal environmental review and authorization process for major infrastructure projects.

Effective Jan. 8, qualified mining infrastructure projects (those subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, require a total investment of $200 million or more, and not eligible for other abbreviated environmental review) are now eligible to be covered by FAST-41 on a non-discretionary basis. While coverage does not predetermine the outcome of any federal decision-making process, the goal is to have timely federal agency review, enhanced interagency coordination, and improved predictability, accountability, and transparency of the federal review and authorization processes and certain legal protections.

“The mining industry can now access the benefits of FAST-41 and streamline their permitting projects. BC is here to help clients get these benefits.”

Todd Glindeman, Mining and Waste Market Sector Director