Outer Continental Shelf Civil Penalties, 1076 [2010-119]

Download as PDF 1076 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2010 / Notices WEST VIRGINIA Logan County Blair Mountain Battlefield, Address Restricted, Logan vicinity, 08000496, REMOVED/DETERMINED ELIGIBLE, 12/30/09 WISCONSIN Jefferson County North Washington Street Historic District, N. Church St. generally bounded by O’Connell and N. Green St., N. Washington St. bounded by O’Connell and Elm Sts., Watertown, 09000850, LISTED, 10/23/09 WISCONSIN Milwaukee County Pittsburgh Plate Glass Enamel Plant, 201 E. Pittsburgh Ave., Milwaukee, 09000851, LISTED, 10/21/09 [FR Doc. 2010–49 Filed 1–7–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Outer Continental Shelf Civil Penalties pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice summarizing review of the maximum daily civil penalty assessment. SUMMARY: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act requires the MMS to review the maximum daily civil penalty assessment for violations of regulations governing oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf at least once every 3 years. This review ensures that the maximum penalty assessment reflects any increases in the Consumer Price Index as prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. After conducting the required review in August 2009, the MMS determined that no adjustment is necessary at this time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne McCammon, Safety and Enforcement Branch at (703) 787–1292 or e-mail at Joanne.McCammon@mms.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The goal of the MMS Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Civil Penalty Program is to ensure safe and clean operations on the OCS. By assessing and collecting civil penalties, the program is designed to encourage compliance with OCS statutes and regulations. Not all regulatory violations warrant a review to initiate civil penalty proceedings; however, violations that cause injury, death, or environmental damage, or pose a threat to human life or the environment, will trigger such review. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:14 Jan 07, 2010 Jkt 220001 The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) (Pub. L. 101–380) expanded and strengthened MMS’s authority to impose penalties for violating regulations promulgated under the OCS Lands Act. Section 8201 of OPA 90, which amended section 24(b) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1350(b), directs the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the maximum civil penalty amount at least once every 3 years to reflect any increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The purpose of this adjustment is to ensure that punitive assessments keep up with inflation. If an adjustment is necessary, MMS informs the public through publication in the Federal Register of the new maximum amount. The MMS uses Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for determining how penalty amounts should be rounded. The MMS published regulations adjusting the civil penalty assessment to $25,000 per violation per day on August 8, 1997 (62 FR 42667); to $30,000 on October 29, 2003 (68 FR 61622); and to $35,000 on February 28, 2007 (72 FR 8897). In August 2009, MMS performed computations to determine if it should increase the current maximum civil penalty amount of $35,000 per violation per day. After running the computations, the MMS determined that the CPI did not increase enough to warrant raising the maximum civil penalty amount at this time. The MMS will monitor the CPI, and when the computations justify raising the maximum civil penalty amount, the MMS will publish a Notice in the Federal Register to notify the public of the increase. Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1350. Dated: January 4, 2010. Chris Oynes, Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2010–119 Filed 1–7–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWY–920000–L143000000–ET0000; WYW 109115] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Opportunity for Public Meeting; WY AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the Interior—Land and Minerals PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6797 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6797 withdrew 9,609.74 acres of public mineral estate from location or entry under the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C. Ch.2), to protect the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Winter Range in Fremont County. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting. DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received by April 8, 2010. ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the BLM Wyoming State Director, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003–1828. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janelle Wrigley, BLM Wyoming State Office, 307–775–6257, or at the above address. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6797 (55 FR 37878 (1990)) will expire September 13, 2010, unless extended. PLO No. 6797 is incorporated herein by reference. The BLM has filed a petition/ application to extend PLO No. 6797 for an additional 20-year term. The withdrawal was made to protect the bighorn sheep winter range and capital investments on the land described in the PLO at 55 FR 37878 (1990). The area aggregates 9,609.74 acres in Fremont County, Wyoming. The purpose of the proposed extension is to continue the withdrawal created by PLO No. 6797 for an additional 20-year term to protect the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Winter Range and capital investments in the area. The use of a right-of-way, interagency, or cooperative agreement would not adequately constrain nondiscretionary uses which could result in the permanent loss of significant values and irreplaceable resources of the range. There are no suitable alternative sites since the lands described herein contain the area that has historically been used as bighorn sheep winter range, due to its physical characteristics, and because of the local weather conditions. No water rights would be needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested withdrawal extension. Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting Janelle Wrigley at the above address or by phone at 307–775–6257 or by contacting the BLM Field Manager, Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520 or by phone at 307– 332–8400. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM 08JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 1076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-119]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Outer Continental Shelf Civil Penalties

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice summarizing review of the maximum daily civil penalty 
assessment.

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

SUMMARY: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act requires the MMS to 
review the maximum daily civil penalty assessment for violations of 
regulations governing oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental 
Shelf at least once every 3 years. This review ensures that the maximum 
penalty assessment reflects any increases in the Consumer Price Index 
as prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of 
Labor. After conducting the required review in August 2009, the MMS 
determined that no adjustment is necessary at this time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne McCammon, Safety and 
Enforcement Branch at (703) 787-1292 or e-mail at 
Joanne.McCammon@mms.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The goal of the MMS Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) Civil Penalty Program is to ensure safe and clean operations on 
the OCS. By assessing and collecting civil penalties, the program is 
designed to encourage compliance with OCS statutes and regulations. Not 
all regulatory violations warrant a review to initiate civil penalty 
proceedings; however, violations that cause injury, death, or 
environmental damage, or pose a threat to human life or the 
environment, will trigger such review.
    The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) (Pub. L. 101-380) expanded 
and strengthened MMS's authority to impose penalties for violating 
regulations promulgated under the OCS Lands Act. Section 8201 of OPA 
90, which amended section 24(b) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 
1350(b), directs the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the maximum 
civil penalty amount at least once every 3 years to reflect any 
increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The purpose of this 
adjustment is to ensure that punitive assessments keep up with 
inflation. If an adjustment is necessary, MMS informs the public 
through publication in the Federal Register of the new maximum amount. 
The MMS uses Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for 
determining how penalty amounts should be rounded.
    The MMS published regulations adjusting the civil penalty 
assessment to $25,000 per violation per day on August 8, 1997 (62 FR 
42667); to $30,000 on October 29, 2003 (68 FR 61622); and to $35,000 on 
February 28, 2007 (72 FR 8897). In August 2009, MMS performed 
computations to determine if it should increase the current maximum 
civil penalty amount of $35,000 per violation per day. After running 
the computations, the MMS determined that the CPI did not increase 
enough to warrant raising the maximum civil penalty amount at this 
time. The MMS will monitor the CPI, and when the computations justify 
raising the maximum civil penalty amount, the MMS will publish a Notice 
in the Federal Register to notify the public of the increase.

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1350.

    Dated: January 4, 2010.
Chris Oynes,
Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2010-119 Filed 1-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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