; and (ii) any deadlines extended under subparagraph (B). (3) Document prepared by project applicant The lead agency with respect to a mineral project may adopt an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment prepared by or for a project applicant with respect to such project if such document fulfills the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (4) Effect on pending applications Upon a written request by a project applicant, the requirements of this subsection shall apply to any application for a mineral exploration or mine permit or mineral lease that was submitted before the date of the enactment of the Permitting for Mining Needs Act of 2023 . . 4. Federal register process improvement Section 7002(f) of the Energy Act of 2020 ( 30 U.S.C. 1606(f) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking critical both places such term appears; and (2) by striking paragraph (4). 5. Designation of mining as a covered sector for Federal permitting improvement purposes Section 41001(6)(A) of the FAST Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6)(A) ) is amended by inserting minerals production, before or any other sector . 6. Treatment of actions under presidential determination 2022–11 for Federal permitting improvement purposes (a) In general Except as provided by subsection (c), an action described in subsection (b) shall be— (1) treated as a covered project, as defined in section 41001(6) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4370m(6) ), without regard to the requirements of that section; and (2) included in the Permitting Dashboard maintained pursuant to section 41003(b) of that Act (42 13 U.S.C. 4370m–2(b) ). (b) Actions described An action described in this subsection is an action taken by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to Presidential Determination 2022–11 (87 Fed. Reg. 19775