Seaway Regulations and Rules: Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty, 66112-66113 [E6-19052]

Download as PDF 66112 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 218 / Monday, November 13, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05–1(g), 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107–295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 33 CFR Part 401 2. A new § 165.927 is added to read as follows: I RIN 2135–AA23 Seaway Regulations and Rules: Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty (a) Location: The following area is a safety zone: All waters of Stryker Bay and Hallett Slips 6 & 7 which are located north of a boundary line delineated by the following points: From the shoreline at 46°43′10.00″ N, 092°10′31.66″ W, then south to 46°43′06.24″ N, 092°10′31.66″ W, then east to 46°43′06.24″ N, 092°09′41.76″ W, then north to the shoreline at 46°43′10.04″ N, 092°09′41.76″ W. [Datum NAD 83]. (b) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Duluth, or his designated on-scene representative. (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may be permitted by the Captain of the Port Duluth or his designated on-scene representative. (3) The ‘‘designated on-scene representative’’ of the Captain of the Port is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port to act on his behalf. The on-scene representative of the Captain of the Port will be aboard either a Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel. The Captain of the Port or his designated onscene representative may be contacted by calling Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Duluth at (218) 720–5286. (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety zone shall contact the Captain of the Port Duluth to obtain permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone shall comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port Duluth or his onscene representative. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES § 165.927 Safety Zone; St. Louis River, Duluth/Interlake Tar Remediation Site, Duluth, MN. AGENCY: Dated: October 23, 2006. G.T. Croot, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Duluth. [FR Doc. E6–19105 Filed 11–9–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:06 Nov 09, 2006 Jkt 211001 Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The rule adjusts the amount of the statutory civil penalty for violation of the Seaway Regulations and Rules under the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, as amended (PWSA). DATES: This rule will be effective December 13, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig H. Middlebrook, Acting Chief Counsel, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366–0091. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act), Public Law 101–410, 104 Stat. 890, 28 U.S.C. 2461 NOTE, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (Act), Public Law 104–134, April 26, 1996, requires the inflation adjustment of civil monetary penalties (CMP) to ensure that they continue to maintain their deterrent value. The Act requires that not later than 180 days after its enactment, October 23, 1996, and at least once every four years thereafter, the head of each agency shall, by regulation published in the Federal Register, adjust each CMP within its jurisdiction by the inflation adjustment described in the 1990 Act. The cost-ofliving adjustment is the percentage (if any) for each CMP by which the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI), published annually by the Department of Labor, for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment, exceeds the CPI for the month of June of the calendar year in which the amount of the CMP was last set or adjusted pursuant to law. Nevertheless, the first adjustment to a CMP may not exceed 10 percent of that penalty amount. Any increased penalties shall apply to violations that occur after the date on which the PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 increase takes effect. 33 U.S.C. 1232(a) imposes a maximum $25,000 civil penalty for a violation of a regulation issued under the authority of the PWSA, which includes the Seaway Regulations and Rules in 33 CFR part 401. The penalty was set in 1978. Under the Act, the penalty amount was adjusted in 1996 to $27,500 and in 2002 to $31, 625. The CPI for June 2002 was 538.9. The CPI for June 2005 is 582.6. The inflation factor, therefore, is 582.6/538.9 or 1.081. The maximum penalty amount after the increase and statutory rounding would be $ 36,625 (1.081 × 31,625). Accordingly, paragraph (a) of section 401.102 is being amended to change the amount of the penalty from $31,625 to $36,625. Regulatory Evaluation This final rule is exempt from Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866 because it is limited to the adoption of statutory language, without interpretation. As stated above, the provisions contained in this final rulemaking set forth the inflation adjustments in compliance with the Act for a specific, applicable CMP under the authority of the Corporation. The great majority of individuals, organizations, and entities addressed through the Seaway Regulations and Rules do not commit violations and, as a result, we believe any aggregate economic impact of this revision will be minimal, affecting only those who violate the regulations. As such, the final rule and its inflation adjustment should have no effect on Federal and State expenditures. This final rule has also been evaluated under the Department of Transportation’s Regulatory Policies and Procedures and the proposed regulation is not considered significant under those procedures and its economic impact is expected to be so minimal that a full economic evaluation is not warranted. Regulatory Flexibility Act Determination The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Saint Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules primarily relate to commercial users of the Seaway, the vast majority of whom are foreign vessel operators. Therefore, any resulting costs will be borne mostly by foreign vessels. Environmental Impact This final rule does not require an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act E:\FR\FM\13NOR1.SGM 13NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 218 / Monday, November 13, 2006 / Rules and Regulations (49 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) because it is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. PART 401—SEAWAY REGULATIONS AND RULES Federalism I The Corporation has analyzed this final rule under the principles and criteria in Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999, and has determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant a Federalism Assessment. Subpart B—[Amended] 1. The authority citation for part 401 continues to read as follows: Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR 1.52, unless otherwise noted. § 401.102 [Amended] Unfunded Mandates The Corporation has analyzed this final rule under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4, 109 Stat. 48) and determined that it does not impose unfunded mandates on State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector requiring a written statement of economic and regulatory alternatives. 2. Paragraph (a) of § 401.102 is amended by removing the number ‘‘$31,625’’ and adding, in its place, the number ‘‘$36,625’’. Issued at Washington, DC, on November 7, 2006. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Collister Johnson, Jr., Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–19052 Filed 11–9–06; 8:45 am] I BILLING CODE 4910–61–P Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule has been analyzed under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and does not contain new or modified information collection requirements subject to the Office of Management and Budget review. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Notice and Public Comment Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Louisiana; 2006 Low Enhanced Vehicle Inspection/ Maintenance (I/M) Program Notice and an opportunity for public comment under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) are waived. The APA provides an exception to the notice and comment procedures when an agency finds there is good cause for dispensing with those procedures because they are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. The Corporation has determined under 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(3) that good cause exists for dispensing with the notice of proposed rulemaking and public comment procedures for this rule. Specifically, this rulemaking comports with the statutory authority in the Act with no issues of policy discretion. Accordingly, the Corporation finds that the opportunity for prior comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest and is issuing this revised regulation as a final rule that will apply to all future cases under this authority. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 401 Hazardous materials transportation, Navigation (water), Penalties, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels, Waterways. I Accordingly, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is amending 33 CFR Part chapter IV as follows: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:06 Nov 09, 2006 Jkt 211001 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R06–OAR–2006–0456; FRL–8241–2] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Direct final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision of the Low Enhanced Vehicle Inspection/ Maintenance Program for the State of Louisiana. This revision exempts the two newest model year gasoline-fueled passenger cars and trucks from OnBoard Diagnostic (OBD) testing. We are taking this action in accordance with Sections 110 and 182 of the Clean Air Act. DATES: This rule is effective on January 12, 2007 without further notice, unless EPA receives relevant adverse comment by December 13, 2006. If EPA receives such comment, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this rule will not take effect. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R06– OAR–2006–LA–0456, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 66113 • U.S. EPA Region 6 ‘‘Contact Us’’ Web site: https://epa.gov/region6/ r6coment.htm Please click on ‘‘6PD’’ (Multimedia) and select ‘‘Air’’ before submitting comments. • E-mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs at diggs.thomas@epa.gov. Please also cc the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below. • Fax: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), at fax number 214–665–7263. • Mail: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. • Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Such deliveries are accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except for legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2006– LA–0456. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. E:\FR\FM\13NOR1.SGM 13NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 218 (Monday, November 13, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66112-66113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

33 CFR Part 401

RIN 2135-AA23


Seaway Regulations and Rules: Inflation Adjustment of Civil 
Monetary Penalty

AGENCY: Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule implements the Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Debt Collection 
Improvement Act of 1996. The rule adjusts the amount of the statutory 
civil penalty for violation of the Seaway Regulations and Rules under 
the authority of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, as amended 
(PWSA).

DATES: This rule will be effective December 13, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig H. Middlebrook, Acting Chief 
Counsel, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-0091.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act), Public Law 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, 
28 U.S.C. 2461 NOTE, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act 
of 1996 (Act), Public Law 104-134, April 26, 1996, requires the 
inflation adjustment of civil monetary penalties (CMP) to ensure that 
they continue to maintain their deterrent value. The Act requires that 
not later than 180 days after its enactment, October 23, 1996, and at 
least once every four years thereafter, the head of each agency shall, 
by regulation published in the Federal Register, adjust each CMP within 
its jurisdiction by the inflation adjustment described in the 1990 Act. 
The cost-of-living adjustment is the percentage (if any) for each CMP 
by which the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI), 
published annually by the Department of Labor, for the month of June of 
the calendar year preceding the adjustment, exceeds the CPI for the 
month of June of the calendar year in which the amount of the CMP was 
last set or adjusted pursuant to law. Nevertheless, the first 
adjustment to a CMP may not exceed 10 percent of that penalty amount. 
Any increased penalties shall apply to violations that occur after the 
date on which the increase takes effect. 33 U.S.C. 1232(a) imposes a 
maximum $25,000 civil penalty for a violation of a regulation issued 
under the authority of the PWSA, which includes the Seaway Regulations 
and Rules in 33 CFR part 401. The penalty was set in 1978. Under the 
Act, the penalty amount was adjusted in 1996 to $27,500 and in 2002 to 
$31, 625. The CPI for June 2002 was 538.9. The CPI for June 2005 is 
582.6. The inflation factor, therefore, is 582.6/538.9 or 1.081. The 
maximum penalty amount after the increase and statutory rounding would 
be $ 36,625 (1.081 x 31,625). Accordingly, paragraph (a) of section 
401.102 is being amended to change the amount of the penalty from 
$31,625 to $36,625.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This final rule is exempt from Office of Management and Budget 
review under Executive Order 12866 because it is limited to the 
adoption of statutory language, without interpretation. As stated 
above, the provisions contained in this final rulemaking set forth the 
inflation adjustments in compliance with the Act for a specific, 
applicable CMP under the authority of the Corporation. The great 
majority of individuals, organizations, and entities addressed through 
the Seaway Regulations and Rules do not commit violations and, as a 
result, we believe any aggregate economic impact of this revision will 
be minimal, affecting only those who violate the regulations. As such, 
the final rule and its inflation adjustment should have no effect on 
Federal and State expenditures. This final rule has also been evaluated 
under the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures and the proposed regulation is not considered significant 
under those procedures and its economic impact is expected to be so 
minimal that a full economic evaluation is not warranted.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Determination

    The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation certifies that 
this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The Saint Lawrence Seaway 
Regulations and Rules primarily relate to commercial users of the 
Seaway, the vast majority of whom are foreign vessel operators. 
Therefore, any resulting costs will be borne mostly by foreign vessels.

Environmental Impact

    This final rule does not require an environmental impact statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act

[[Page 66113]]

(49 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) because it is not a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Federalism

    The Corporation has analyzed this final rule under the principles 
and criteria in Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999, and has 
determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant a Federalism Assessment.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Corporation has analyzed this final rule under Title II of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48) and 
determined that it does not impose unfunded mandates on State, local, 
and tribal governments and the private sector requiring a written 
statement of economic and regulatory alternatives.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule has been analyzed under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 and does not contain new or modified information collection 
requirements subject to the Office of Management and Budget review.

Notice and Public Comment

    Notice and an opportunity for public comment under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) are waived. The APA 
provides an exception to the notice and comment procedures when an 
agency finds there is good cause for dispensing with those procedures 
because they are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest. The Corporation has determined under 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(3) that 
good cause exists for dispensing with the notice of proposed rulemaking 
and public comment procedures for this rule. Specifically, this 
rulemaking comports with the statutory authority in the Act with no 
issues of policy discretion. Accordingly, the Corporation finds that 
the opportunity for prior comment is unnecessary and contrary to the 
public interest and is issuing this revised regulation as a final rule 
that will apply to all future cases under this authority.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 401

    Hazardous materials transportation, Navigation (water), Penalties, 
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels, Waterways.

0
Accordingly, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is 
amending 33 CFR Part chapter IV as follows:

PART 401--SEAWAY REGULATIONS AND RULES

Subpart B--[Amended]

0
1. The authority citation for part 401 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR 
1.52, unless otherwise noted.


Sec.  401.102  [Amended]

0
2. Paragraph (a) of Sec.  401.102 is amended by removing the number 
``$31,625'' and adding, in its place, the number ``$36,625''.

    Issued at Washington, DC, on November 7, 2006.

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Collister Johnson, Jr.,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-19052 Filed 11-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-61-P
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