Federal - Mining

摘要

On March 7, 2018, on a party-line vote, the House Committee on Natural Resources approved House Bill 520, which would allow mining projects that will provide "strategic and critical minerals" to be considered "infrastructure projects" entitled to expedited permitting under Executive Order No. 13,807, 82 Fed. Reg. 40,463 (Aug. 15, 2017). See H.R. 520, 115th Cong, (as reported by H. Comm. on Natural Res., Apr. 11,2018). Under the bill, called the "National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act," a 30-month time limit would be placed on permit review, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Additionally, projects on National Forest System lands would be exempt from regulations prohibiting tree cutting and road construction in roadless areas. The bill is similar to legislation that has been passed by the House during the last three Congresses but has consistently failed to advance in the Senate.