; (3) modernization of mining, beneficiation, and value-added processing to increase productivity, environmental sustainability, and workforce safety; or (4) any other activity authorized under section 303(a)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4533(a)(1) ). (c) Exception An action described in subsection (b) may not be treated as a covered project or be included in the Permitting Dashboard under subsection (a) if the project sponsor (as defined in section 41001(18) of the FAST Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4370m(18) )) requests that the action not be treated as a covered project.