Containing Effects of Mineral Extraction Act of 2026

This bill establishes new requirements for mineral materials sales contracts and free use permits issued under the Materials Act of 1947, specifically targeting "qualifying projects" . These projects are defined as large-scale mineral extraction operations projected to produce over 1 million tons annually, located within 25 miles of an urbanized area or near areas of critical environmental concern, and not yet commercially operational. Before the Secretary of the Interior can approve such projects, operators must submit a comprehensive set of plans and assessments. Key requirements include a haul route impact assessment , jointly developed with transportation agencies, to ensure safety and minimize dust and noise impacts on adjacent residential areas. A trip management plan must set limits on load staging, operating hours, and debris controls. Furthermore, a water use and conservation plan is mandated to ensure that projected annual groundwater and surface water consumption is offset within the same basin. Operators must also provide a rail or lower-impact transportation analysis to evaluate the feasibility of alternative transport modes for the majority of projected tonnage. The bill also requires operators to coordinate with affected governments, acquire necessary water rights, and obtain all federal water permits, with provisions for enforcement and annual reporting on project impacts.