Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments, 10611-10616 [2018-04909]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846
RIN 1029–AC75
[Docket ID: OSM–2017–0012; S1D1S
SS08011000 SX064A000 189S180110;
S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 18XS501520]
Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation
Adjustments
Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the Federal Civil
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act),
which further amended the Federal
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
of 1990 (1990 Act), and Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
guidance, this rule adjusts for inflation
the level of civil monetary penalties
assessed under the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
(SMCRA).
DATES: This rule is effective on March
12, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Kuhns, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,
1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4550,
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202)
208–2860. Email: mkuhns@osmre.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Table of Contents
I. Background
A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of
2015
B. Calculation of Adjustments
C. Effect of the Rule in Federal Program
States and on Indian Lands
D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State
Programs
II. Procedural Matters and Required
Determinations
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O.
12866, 13563 and 13771)
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O.
13175 and Departmental Policy)
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
J. National Environmental Policy Act
K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution,
and Use (E.O. 13211)
L. Clarity of This Regulation
M. Data Quality Act
N. Administrative Procedure Act
I. Background
A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of
2015
Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C.
1268, authorizes the Secretary of the
Interior to assess civil monetary
penalties (CMPs) for violations of
SMCRA. The Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement’s
(OSMRE) regulations implementing the
CMP provisions of section 518 are
located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845,
and 846. We are adjusting CMPs in four
sections—30 CFR 723.14, 724.14,
845.14, and 846.14.
On November 2, 2015, the Federal
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of
Pub. L. 114–74) (2015 Act) became law.
The 2015 Act, which further amended
the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act of 1990 (codified as
amended at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note),
requires Federal agencies to promulgate
rules to adjust the level of CMPs to
account for inflation. The 2015 Act
required an initial ‘‘catch-up’’
adjustment. OSMRE published the
initial adjustment in the Federal
Register on July 8, 2016 (81 FR 44535),
and the adjustment took effect on
August 1, 2016. The 2015 Act also
requires agencies to publish annual
inflation adjustments in the Federal
Register no later than January 15 of each
year. These adjustments are aimed at
maintaining the deterrent effect of civil
penalties and furthering the policy goals
of the statutes that authorize the
penalties. Further, the 2015 Act
provides that agencies must adjust civil
monetary penalties ‘‘notwithstanding
Section 553 of the Administrative
Procedure Act.’’ Therefore, the public
procedure that the APA generally
requires for rulemaking—notice, an
opportunity for comment, and a delay in
the effective date—is not required for
agencies to issue regulations
implementing the annual CMP
adjustments. See December 15, 2017,
Memorandum for the Heads of
Executive Departments and Agencies
(M–18–03), from Mick Mulvaney,
Director, Office of Management and
Budget, Implementation of Penalty
Inflation Adjustments for 2018,
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum).
Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act,
this final rule reflects the statutorily
required CMP adjustments as follows:
Points
(where
applicable)
CFR citation
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30 CFR 723.14 ............................................................................................................................
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10611
E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
1
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5
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7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
12MRR1
Current
penalty
dollar
amounts
$64
129
193
257
321
386
450
514
578
643
707
771
835
900
965
1,029
1,093
1,158
1,222
Adjusted
penalty
dollar
amounts
$65
132
197
262
328
394
459
524
590
656
721
787
852
918
985
1,050
1,115
1,182
1,247
10612
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Points
(where
applicable)
CFR citation
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30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each day) ........................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties) ..............................................................................
30 CFR 845.14 ............................................................................................................................
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70
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E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
12MRR1
Current
penalty
dollar
amounts
1,286
1,350
1,415
1,479
1,543
1,607
1,929
2,250
2,571
2,770
3,215
3,536
3,857
4,179
4,500
4,822
5,143
5,465
5,786
6,107
6,428
6,751
7,072
7,393
7,715
8,036
8,358
8,679
9,001
9,322
9,643
9,964
10,287
10,608
10,929
11,251
11,572
11,893
12,215
12,537
12,858
13,179
13,501
13,823
14,144
14,465
14,787
15,108
15,429
15,751
16,073
2,411
16,073
64
129
193
257
321
386
450
514
578
643
707
771
835
900
965
1,029
1,093
1,158
Adjusted
penalty
dollar
amounts
1,312
1,378
1,444
1,509
1,574
1,640
1,968
2,296
2,623
2,827
3,281
3,608
3,936
4,264
4,592
4,920
5,248
5,577
5,904
6,232
6,559
6,889
7,216
7,544
7,872
8,200
8,529
8,856
9,185
9,512
9,840
10,167
10,497
10,825
11,152
11,481
11,808
12,136
12,464
12,793
13,120
13,448
13,777
14,105
14,433
14,760
15,089
15,416
15,744
16,072
16,401
2,460
16,401
65
132
197
262
328
394
459
524
590
656
721
787
852
918
985
1,050
1,115
1,182
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Points
(where
applicable)
CFR citation
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30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each day) ........................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties) ..............................................................................
In the chart above, there are no
numbers listed in the ‘‘Points’’ column
relative to 30 CFR 723.15(b), 30 CFR
724.14(b), 30 CFR 845.15(b), and 30 CFR
846.14(b) because those regulatory
provisions do not set forth numbers of
points. For those provisions, the current
regulations only set forth the dollar
amounts shown in the chart in the
‘‘Current Penalty Dollar Amounts’’
column; the adjusted amounts, which
we are adopting in this rule, are shown
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........................
........................
in the ‘‘Adjusted Penalty Dollar
Amounts’’ column.
B. Calculation of Adjustments
OMB issued guidance on the 2018
annual adjustments for inflation. See
OMB Memorandum (December 15,
2017). The OMB Memorandum notes
that the 1990 Act defines ‘‘civil
monetary penalty’’ as ‘‘any penalty, fine,
or other sanction that . . . is for a
specific monetary amount as provided
by Federal law; or . . . has a maximum
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Current
penalty
dollar
amounts
1,222
1,286
1,350
1,415
1,479
1,543
1,607
1,929
2,250
2,571
2,770
3,215
3,536
3,857
4,179
4,500
4,822
5,143
5,465
5,786
6,107
6,428
6,751
7,072
7,393
7,715
8,036
8,358
8,679
9,001
9,322
9,643
9,964
10,287
10,608
10,929
11,251
11,572
11,893
12,215
12,537
12,858
13,179
13,501
13,823
14,144
14,465
14,787
15,108
15,429
15,751
16,073
2,411
16,073
10613
Adjusted
penalty
dollar
amounts
1,247
1,312
1,378
1,444
1,509
1,574
1,640
1,968
2,296
2,623
2,827
3,281
3,608
3,936
4,264
4,592
4,920
5,248
5,577
5,904
6,232
6,559
6,889
7,216
7,544
7,872
8,200
8,529
8,856
9,185
9,512
9,840
10,167
10,497
10,825
11,152
11,481
11,808
12,136
12,464
12,793
13,120
13,448
13,777
14,105
14,433
14,760
15,089
15,416
15,744
16,072
16,401
2,460
16,401
amount provided for by Federal law;
and . . . is assessed or enforced by an
agency pursuant to Federal law; and
. . . is assessed or enforced pursuant to
an administrative proceeding or a civil
action in the Federal courts . . . .’’ It
further instructs that agencies ‘‘are to
adjust ‘the maximum civil monetary
penalty or the range of minimum and
maximum civil monetary penalties, as
applicable, for each civil monetary
penalty by the cost-of-living
adjustment.’ ’’ See December 15, 2017
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
OMB Memorandum. The 1990 Act and
the OMB Memorandum specify that the
annual inflation adjustments are based
on the percent change between the
Consumer Price Index for all Urban
Consumers (the CPI–U) published by
the Department of Labor for the month
of October in the year of the previous
adjustment, and the October CPI–U for
the preceding year. The recent OMB
Memorandum specified that the cost-ofliving adjustment multiplier for 2018,
not seasonally adjusted, is 1.02041 (the
October 2017 CPI–U (246.663) divided
by the October 2016 CPI–U (241.729) =
1.02041). OSMRE used this guidance to
identify applicable CMPs and calculate
the required inflation adjustments. The
1990 Act specifies that any resulting
increases in CMPs must be rounded
according to a stated rounding formula
and that the increased CMPs apply only
to violations that occur after the date the
increase takes effect.
Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a
violation as described in 30 CFR 723.13
and 845.13. The CMP owed is based on
the number of points received, ranging
from one point to seventy points. For
example, under our existing regulations
in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70
points would amount to a $16,073 CMP.
To adjust this amount, we multiply
$16,073 by the 2018 inflation factor of
1.02041, resulting in a raw adjusted
amount of $16,401.05. Because the 2015
Act requires us to round any increase in
the CMP amount to the nearest dollar,
in this case a violation of 70 points
would amount to a new CMP of
$16,401. Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the
increases in this Final Rule apply to
CMPs assessed after the date the
increases take effect, even if the
associated violation predates the
applicable increase.
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C. Effect of Rule in Federal Program
States and on Indian Lands
OSMRE directly regulates surface coal
mining and reclamation operations
within a State or on tribal lands if the
State or tribe does not obtain its own
approved program pursuant to section
503 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1253. The
increases in CMPs contained in this rule
will apply to the following Federal
program states: Arizona, California,
Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts,
Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon,
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee,
and Washington. The Federal programs
for those States appear at 30 CFR parts
903, 905, 910, 912, 921, 922, 933, 937,
939, 941, 942, and 947, respectively.
Under 30 CFR 750.18, the increase in
CMPs also applies to Indian lands under
the Federal program for Indian lands.
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D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State
Programs
As a result of litigation, see In re
Permanent Surface Mining Regulation
Litigation, No. 79–1144, Mem. Op.
(D.D.C. May 16, 1980), 19 Env’t. Rep.
Cas. (BNA) 1477, state regulatory
programs are not required to mirror all
of the penalty provisions of our
regulations. Thus, this rule has no effect
on CMPs in states with SMCRA
primacy.
II. Procedural Matters and Required
Determinations
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and
13771)
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides
that the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office
of Management and Budget will review
all significant rules. OIRA has
determined that agency regulations
exclusively implementing the annual
inflation adjustments are not significant,
provided they are consistent with the
OMB Memorandum.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the
principles of E.O. 12866 while calling
for improvements in the Nation’s
regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty,
and to use the best, most innovative,
and least burdensome tools for
achieving regulatory ends. The
executive order directs agencies to
consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility
and freedom of choice for the public
where these approaches are relevant,
feasible, and consistent with regulatory
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes
further that regulations must be based
on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for
public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed
this rule in a manner consistent with
these requirements, to the extent
permitted by statute.
E.O. 13771 of January 30, 2017,
directs Federal agencies to reduce the
regulatory burden on regulated entities
and control regulatory costs. E.O. 13771,
however, applies only to significant
regulatory actions, as defined in Section
3(f) of E.O. 12866. As mentioned above,
OIRA has determined that agency
regulations exclusively implementing
the annual adjustment are not
significant regulatory actions under E.O.
12866, provided they are consistent
with the OMB Memorandum (see OMB
Memorandum, M–18–03, at 3). Thus,
E.O. 13771 does not apply to this
rulemaking.
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B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
requires an agency to prepare a
regulatory flexibility analysis for all
rules unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The RFA
applies only to rules for which an
agency is required to first publish a
proposed rule. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a) and
604(a). The Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015 requires agencies to adjust
civil penalties annually for inflation
‘‘. . . notwithstanding Section 553 [of
the Administrative Procedure Act].’’
Thus, no proposed rule will be
published, and the RFA does not apply
to this rulemaking.
C. Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is not a major rule under 5
U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.
This rule:
(a) Will not have an annual effect on
the economy of $100 million or more.
(b) Will not cause a major increase in
costs or prices for consumers,
individual industries, Federal, State, or
local government agencies, or
geographic regions.
(c) Will not have significant adverse
effects on competition, employment,
investment, productivity, innovation, or
the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to
compete with foreign-based enterprises.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not impose an
unfunded mandate on State, local, or
tribal governments, or the private sector,
of more than $100 million per year. The
rule does not have a significant or
unique effect on State, local, or tribal
governments or the private sector. A
statement containing the information
required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not
required.
E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
This rule does not effect a taking of
private property or otherwise have
takings implications under Executive
Order 12630. A takings implication
assessment is not required.
F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of
Executive Order 13132, this rule does
not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation
of a federalism summary impact
statement. A federalism summary
impact statement is not required.
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G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
This rule complies with the
requirements of Executive Order 12988.
Specifically, this rule:
(a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a)
requiring that all regulations be
reviewed to eliminate errors and
ambiguity and be written to minimize
litigation; and
(b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2)
requiring that all regulations be written
in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes
(E.O. 13175 and Departmental Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives
to strengthen its government-togovernment relationship with Indian
tribes through a commitment to
consultation with Indian tribes and
recognition of their right to selfgovernance and tribal sovereignty. We
have evaluated this rule under the
Department’s consultation policy, under
Departmental Manual Part 512, Chapters
4 and 5, and under the criteria in
Executive Order 13175 and have
determined that it has no substantial
direct effects on Federally-recognized
Indian tribes or Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations,
and that consultation under the
Department’s tribal consultation policy
is not required.
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain
information collection requirements,
and a submission to the Office of
Management and Budget under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) is not required. We may
not conduct or sponsor, and you are not
required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
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J. National Environmental Policy Act
This rule does not constitute a major
Federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment. A
detailed statement under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) is not required because the rule
is covered by a categorical exclusion.
This rule is excluded from the
requirement to prepare a detailed
statement because it is a regulation of an
administrative nature. (For further
information see 43 CFR 46.210(i).) We
have also determined that the rule does
not involve any of the extraordinary
circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215
that would require further analysis
under NEPA.
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K. Effects on Energy Supply,
Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)
This rule is not a significant energy
action under the definition in Executive
Order 13211. A Statement of Energy
Effects is not required.
L. Clarity of This Regulation
We are required by Executive Orders
12866 (section 1(b)(12)), 12988 (section
3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 1(a)), and
by the Presidential Memorandum of
June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain
language. This means that each rule we
publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address
readers directly;
(c) Use common, everyday words and
clear language rather than jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and
sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever
possible.
If you believe that we have not met
these requirements in issuing this final
rule, please contact the individual listed
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section. Your comments
should be as specific as possible in
order to help us determine whether any
future revisions to the rule are
necessary. For example, you should tell
us the numbers of the sections or
paragraphs that you find unclear, which
sections or sentences are too long, the
sections where you feel lists or tables
would be useful, etc.
30 CFR Part 724
Administrative practice and
procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
30 CFR Part 845
Administrative practice and
procedure, Law enforcement, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
30 CFR Part 846
Administrative practice and
procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
Dated: February 21, 2018.
Joseph R. Balash,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals
Management.
For the reasons given in the preamble,
the Department of the Interior amends
30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846 as
set forth below.
PART 723—CIVIL PENALTIES
1. The authority citation for part 723
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201
et seq., and 31 U.S.C. 3701.
2. In § 723.14, revise the table to read
as follows:
■
§ 723.14
penalty.
*
N. Administrative Procedure Act
We are issuing this final rule without
prior public notice or opportunity for
public comment. As discussed above,
the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of
2015 requires agencies to publish
adjusted penalties annually. Under the
2015 Act, the public procedure that the
Administrative Procedure Act generally
requires—notice, an opportunity for
comment, and a delay in the effective
date—is not required for agencies to
issue regulations implementing the
annual adjustments required by the
2015 Act. See OMB Memorandum,
M–18–03, at 4.
List of Subjects
30 CFR Part 723
Administrative practice and
procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
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*
Determination of amount of
*
*
*
Points
M. Data Quality Act
In developing this rule, we did not
conduct or use a study, experiment, or
survey requiring peer review under the
Data Quality Act (Pub. L. 106–554).
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12MRR1
Dollars
65
132
197
262
328
394
459
524
590
656
721
787
852
918
985
1,050
1,115
1,182
1,247
1,312
1,378
1,444
1,509
1,574
1,640
1,968
2,296
2,623
2,827
3,281
3,608
10616
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Points
§ 724.14
Dollars
Amount of individual civil penalty.
32
33
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3,936
4,264
4,592
4,920
5,248
5,577
5,904
6,232
6,559
6,889
7,216
7,544
7,872
8,200
8,529
8,856
9,185
9,512
9,840
10,167
10,497
10,825
11,152
11,481
11,808
12,136
12,464
12,793
13,120
13,448
13,777
14,105
14,433
14,760
15,089
15,416
15,744
16,072
16,401
3. In § 723.15, revise paragraph (b)
introductory text to read as follows:
■
§ 723.15 Assessment of separate
violations for each day.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) In addition to the civil penalty
provided for in paragraph (a) of this
section, whenever a violation contained
in a notice of violation or cessation
order has not been abated within the
abatement period set in the notice or
order or as subsequently extended
pursuant to section 521(a) of the Act, 30
U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not less
than $2,460 will be assessed for each
day during which such failure to abate
continues, except that:
*
*
*
*
*
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
PART 724—INDIVIDUAL CIVIL
PENALTIES
4. The authority citation for part 724
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201
et seq., and 31 U.S.C. 3701.
5. In § 724.14, revise the first sentence
of paragraph (b) to read as follows:
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:01 Mar 09, 2018
Jkt 244001
*
*
*
*
(b) The penalty will not exceed
$16,401 for each violation. * * *
Points
Dollars
*
PART 845—CIVIL PENALTIES
6. The authority citation for part 845
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201
et seq., 31 U.S.C. 3701, Pub. L. 100–202, and
Pub. L. 100–446.
7. In § 845.14, revise the table to read
as follows:
■
§ 845.14
penalty.
*
*
Determination of amount of
*
*
*
Points
Frm 00064
Fmt 4700
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11,152
11,481
11,808
12,136
12,464
12,793
13,120
13,448
13,777
14,105
14,433
14,760
15,089
15,416
15,744
16,072
16,401
Dollars
1 ............................................
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459
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590
656
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852
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985
1,050
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1,182
1,247
1,312
1,378
1,444
1,509
1,574
1,640
1,968
2,296
2,623
2,827
3,281
3,608
3,936
4,264
4,592
4,920
5,248
5,577
5,904
6,232
6,559
6,889
7,216
7,544
7,872
8,200
8,529
8,856
9,185
9,512
9,840
10,167
10,497
10,825
8. In § 845.15, revise paragraph (b)
introductory text to read as follows:
■
§ 845.15 Assessment of separate
violations for each day.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) In addition to the civil penalty
provided for in paragraph (a) of this
section, whenever a violation contained
in a notice of violation or cessation
order has not been abated within the
abatement period set in the notice or
order or as subsequently extended
pursuant to section 521(a) of the Act, 30
U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not less
than $2,460 will be assessed for each
day during which such failure to abate
continues, except that:
*
*
*
*
*
PART 846—INDIVIDUAL CIVIL
PENALTIES
9. The authority citation for part 846
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201
et seq., and 31 U.S.C. 3701.
10. In § 846.14, revise the first
sentence of paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
■
§ 846.14
Amount of individual civil penalty.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) The penalty will not exceed
$16,401 for each violation. * * *
[FR Doc. 2018–04909 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–05–P
E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
12MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10611-10616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04909]
[[Page 10611]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846
RIN 1029-AC75
[Docket ID: OSM-2017-0012; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 189S180110; S2D2S
SS08011000 SX064A00 18XS501520]
Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments
AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment
Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which further amended the
Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act),
and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, this rule adjusts
for inflation the level of civil monetary penalties assessed under the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).
DATES: This rule is effective on March 12, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kuhns, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4550,
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-2860. Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015
B. Calculation of Adjustments
C. Effect of the Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian
Lands
D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs
II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866, 13563 and 13771)
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental
Policy)
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
J. National Environmental Policy Act
K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)
L. Clarity of This Regulation
M. Data Quality Act
N. Administrative Procedure Act
I. Background
A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015
Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of
the Interior to assess civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for violations
of SMCRA. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's
(OSMRE) regulations implementing the CMP provisions of section 518 are
located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846. We are adjusting CMPs
in four sections--30 CFR 723.14, 724.14, 845.14, and 846.14.
On November 2, 2015, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of Pub. L. 114-74)
(2015 Act) became law. The 2015 Act, which further amended the Federal
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (codified as amended
at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), requires Federal agencies to promulgate rules
to adjust the level of CMPs to account for inflation. The 2015 Act
required an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment. OSMRE published the
initial adjustment in the Federal Register on July 8, 2016 (81 FR
44535), and the adjustment took effect on August 1, 2016. The 2015 Act
also requires agencies to publish annual inflation adjustments in the
Federal Register no later than January 15 of each year. These
adjustments are aimed at maintaining the deterrent effect of civil
penalties and furthering the policy goals of the statutes that
authorize the penalties. Further, the 2015 Act provides that agencies
must adjust civil monetary penalties ``notwithstanding Section 553 of
the Administrative Procedure Act.'' Therefore, the public procedure
that the APA generally requires for rulemaking--notice, an opportunity
for comment, and a delay in the effective date--is not required for
agencies to issue regulations implementing the annual CMP adjustments.
See December 15, 2017, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive
Departments and Agencies (M-18-03), from Mick Mulvaney, Director,
Office of Management and Budget, Implementation of Penalty Inflation
Adjustments for 2018, Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum).
Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, this final rule reflects the
statutorily required CMP adjustments as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Adjusted
CFR citation Points (where penalty dollar penalty dollar
applicable) amounts amounts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 723.14................................................... 1 $64 $65
2 129 132
3 193 197
4 257 262
5 321 328
6 386 394
7 450 459
8 514 524
9 578 590
10 643 656
11 707 721
12 771 787
13 835 852
14 900 918
15 965 985
16 1,029 1,050
17 1,093 1,115
18 1,158 1,182
19 1,222 1,247
[[Page 10612]]
20 1,286 1,312
21 1,350 1,378
22 1,415 1,444
23 1,479 1,509
24 1,543 1,574
25 1,607 1,640
26 1,929 1,968
27 2,250 2,296
28 2,571 2,623
29 2,770 2,827
30 3,215 3,281
31 3,536 3,608
32 3,857 3,936
33 4,179 4,264
34 4,500 4,592
35 4,822 4,920
36 5,143 5,248
37 5,465 5,577
38 5,786 5,904
39 6,107 6,232
40 6,428 6,559
41 6,751 6,889
42 7,072 7,216
43 7,393 7,544
44 7,715 7,872
45 8,036 8,200
46 8,358 8,529
47 8,679 8,856
48 9,001 9,185
49 9,322 9,512
50 9,643 9,840
51 9,964 10,167
52 10,287 10,497
53 10,608 10,825
54 10,929 11,152
55 11,251 11,481
56 11,572 11,808
57 11,893 12,136
58 12,215 12,464
59 12,537 12,793
60 12,858 13,120
61 13,179 13,448
62 13,501 13,777
63 13,823 14,105
64 14,144 14,433
65 14,465 14,760
66 14,787 15,089
67 15,108 15,416
68 15,429 15,744
69 15,751 16,072
70 16,073 16,401
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each .............. 2,411 2,460
day)...........................................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)................... .............. 16,073 16,401
30 CFR 845.14................................................... 1 64 65
2 129 132
3 193 197
4 257 262
5 321 328
6 386 394
7 450 459
8 514 524
9 578 590
10 643 656
11 707 721
12 771 787
13 835 852
14 900 918
15 965 985
16 1,029 1,050
17 1,093 1,115
18 1,158 1,182
[[Page 10613]]
19 1,222 1,247
20 1,286 1,312
21 1,350 1,378
22 1,415 1,444
23 1,479 1,509
24 1,543 1,574
25 1,607 1,640
26 1,929 1,968
27 2,250 2,296
28 2,571 2,623
29 2,770 2,827
30 3,215 3,281
31 3,536 3,608
32 3,857 3,936
33 4,179 4,264
34 4,500 4,592
35 4,822 4,920
36 5,143 5,248
37 5,465 5,577
38 5,786 5,904
39 6,107 6,232
40 6,428 6,559
41 6,751 6,889
42 7,072 7,216
43 7,393 7,544
44 7,715 7,872
45 8,036 8,200
46 8,358 8,529
47 8,679 8,856
48 9,001 9,185
49 9,322 9,512
50 9,643 9,840
51 9,964 10,167
52 10,287 10,497
53 10,608 10,825
54 10,929 11,152
55 11,251 11,481
56 11,572 11,808
57 11,893 12,136
58 12,215 12,464
59 12,537 12,793
60 12,858 13,120
61 13,179 13,448
62 13,501 13,777
63 13,823 14,105
64 14,144 14,433
65 14,465 14,760
66 14,787 15,089
67 15,108 15,416
68 15,429 15,744
69 15,751 16,072
70 16,073 16,401
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each .............. 2,411 2,460
day)...........................................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)................... .............. 16,073 16,401
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the chart above, there are no numbers listed in the ``Points''
column relative to 30 CFR 723.15(b), 30 CFR 724.14(b), 30 CFR
845.15(b), and 30 CFR 846.14(b) because those regulatory provisions do
not set forth numbers of points. For those provisions, the current
regulations only set forth the dollar amounts shown in the chart in the
``Current Penalty Dollar Amounts'' column; the adjusted amounts, which
we are adopting in this rule, are shown in the ``Adjusted Penalty
Dollar Amounts'' column.
B. Calculation of Adjustments
OMB issued guidance on the 2018 annual adjustments for inflation.
See OMB Memorandum (December 15, 2017). The OMB Memorandum notes that
the 1990 Act defines ``civil monetary penalty'' as ``any penalty, fine,
or other sanction that . . . is for a specific monetary amount as
provided by Federal law; or . . . has a maximum amount provided for by
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced by an agency pursuant to
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced pursuant to an
administrative proceeding or a civil action in the Federal courts . . .
.'' It further instructs that agencies ``are to adjust `the maximum
civil monetary penalty or the range of minimum and maximum civil
monetary penalties, as applicable, for each civil monetary penalty by
the cost-of-living adjustment.' '' See December 15, 2017
[[Page 10614]]
OMB Memorandum. The 1990 Act and the OMB Memorandum specify that the
annual inflation adjustments are based on the percent change between
the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (the CPI-U) published
by the Department of Labor for the month of October in the year of the
previous adjustment, and the October CPI-U for the preceding year. The
recent OMB Memorandum specified that the cost-of-living adjustment
multiplier for 2018, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.02041 (the October
2017 CPI-U (246.663) divided by the October 2016 CPI-U (241.729) =
1.02041). OSMRE used this guidance to identify applicable CMPs and
calculate the required inflation adjustments. The 1990 Act specifies
that any resulting increases in CMPs must be rounded according to a
stated rounding formula and that the increased CMPs apply only to
violations that occur after the date the increase takes effect.
Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a violation as described in 30
CFR 723.13 and 845.13. The CMP owed is based on the number of points
received, ranging from one point to seventy points. For example, under
our existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70
points would amount to a $16,073 CMP. To adjust this amount, we
multiply $16,073 by the 2018 inflation factor of 1.02041, resulting in
a raw adjusted amount of $16,401.05. Because the 2015 Act requires us
to round any increase in the CMP amount to the nearest dollar, in this
case a violation of 70 points would amount to a new CMP of $16,401.
Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the increases in this Final Rule apply to
CMPs assessed after the date the increases take effect, even if the
associated violation predates the applicable increase.
C. Effect of Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian Lands
OSMRE directly regulates surface coal mining and reclamation
operations within a State or on tribal lands if the State or tribe does
not obtain its own approved program pursuant to section 503 of SMCRA,
30 U.S.C. 1253. The increases in CMPs contained in this rule will apply
to the following Federal program states: Arizona, California, Georgia,
Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island,
South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. The Federal programs for those
States appear at 30 CFR parts 903, 905, 910, 912, 921, 922, 933, 937,
939, 941, 942, and 947, respectively. Under 30 CFR 750.18, the increase
in CMPs also applies to Indian lands under the Federal program for
Indian lands.
D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs
As a result of litigation, see In re Permanent Surface Mining
Regulation Litigation, No. 79-1144, Mem. Op. (D.D.C. May 16, 1980), 19
Env't. Rep. Cas. (BNA) 1477, state regulatory programs are not required
to mirror all of the penalty provisions of our regulations. Thus, this
rule has no effect on CMPs in states with SMCRA primacy.
II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and
13771)
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management
and Budget will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that
agency regulations exclusively implementing the annual inflation
adjustments are not significant, provided they are consistent with the
OMB Memorandum.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while
calling for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements, to the extent permitted by statute.
E.O. 13771 of January 30, 2017, directs Federal agencies to reduce
the regulatory burden on regulated entities and control regulatory
costs. E.O. 13771, however, applies only to significant regulatory
actions, as defined in Section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. As mentioned above,
OIRA has determined that agency regulations exclusively implementing
the annual adjustment are not significant regulatory actions under E.O.
12866, provided they are consistent with the OMB Memorandum (see OMB
Memorandum, M-18-03, at 3). Thus, E.O. 13771 does not apply to this
rulemaking.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis for all rules unless the agency
certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only to rules
for which an agency is required to first publish a proposed rule. See 5
U.S.C. 603(a) and 604(a). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires agencies to adjust
civil penalties annually for inflation ``. . . notwithstanding Section
553 [of the Administrative Procedure Act].'' Thus, no proposed rule
will be published, and the RFA does not apply to this rulemaking.
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
(a) Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more.
(b) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions.
(c) Will not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or
tribal governments, or the private sector, of more than $100 million
per year. The rule does not have a significant or unique effect on
State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. A statement
containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.
E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
This rule does not effect a taking of private property or otherwise
have takings implications under Executive Order 12630. A takings
implication assessment is not required.
F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, this rule
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. A federalism
summary impact statement is not required.
[[Page 10615]]
G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
This rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 12988.
Specifically, this rule:
(a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be
written to minimize litigation; and
(b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes through a
commitment to consultation with Indian tribes and recognition of their
right to self-governance and tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this
rule under the Department's consultation policy, under Departmental
Manual Part 512, Chapters 4 and 5, and under the criteria in Executive
Order 13175 and have determined that it has no substantial direct
effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations, and that consultation under the
Department's tribal consultation policy is not required.
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain information collection requirements, and
a submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is not required. We may not
conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
J. National Environmental Policy Act
This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not
required because the rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. This
rule is excluded from the requirement to prepare a detailed statement
because it is a regulation of an administrative nature. (For further
information see 43 CFR 46.210(i).) We have also determined that the
rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances listed in
43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under NEPA.
K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)
This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition
in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not
required.
L. Clarity of This Regulation
We are required by Executive Orders 12866 (section 1(b)(12)), 12988
(section 3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 1(a)), and by the Presidential
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This
means that each rule we publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(c) Use common, everyday words and clear language rather than
jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you believe that we have not met these requirements in issuing
this final rule, please contact the individual listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Your comments should be as
specific as possible in order to help us determine whether any future
revisions to the rule are necessary. For example, you should tell us
the numbers of the sections or paragraphs that you find unclear, which
sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists
or tables would be useful, etc.
M. Data Quality Act
In developing this rule, we did not conduct or use a study,
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act
(Pub. L. 106-554).
N. Administrative Procedure Act
We are issuing this final rule without prior public notice or
opportunity for public comment. As discussed above, the Federal Civil
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires
agencies to publish adjusted penalties annually. Under the 2015 Act,
the public procedure that the Administrative Procedure Act generally
requires--notice, an opportunity for comment, and a delay in the
effective date--is not required for agencies to issue regulations
implementing the annual adjustments required by the 2015 Act. See OMB
Memorandum, M-18-03, at 4.
List of Subjects
30 CFR Part 723
Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
30 CFR Part 724
Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
30 CFR Part 845
Administrative practice and procedure, Law enforcement, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surface mining, Underground
mining.
30 CFR Part 846
Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining,
Underground mining.
Dated: February 21, 2018.
Joseph R. Balash,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
For the reasons given in the preamble, the Department of the
Interior amends 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846 as set forth below.
PART 723--CIVIL PENALTIES
0
1. The authority citation for part 723 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and 31
U.S.C. 3701.
0
2. In Sec. 723.14, revise the table to read as follows:
Sec. 723.14 Determination of amount of penalty.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................... 65
2....................................................... 132
3....................................................... 197
4....................................................... 262
5....................................................... 328
6....................................................... 394
7....................................................... 459
8....................................................... 524
9....................................................... 590
10...................................................... 656
11...................................................... 721
12...................................................... 787
13...................................................... 852
14...................................................... 918
15...................................................... 985
16...................................................... 1,050
17...................................................... 1,115
18...................................................... 1,182
19...................................................... 1,247
20...................................................... 1,312
21...................................................... 1,378
22...................................................... 1,444
23...................................................... 1,509
24...................................................... 1,574
25...................................................... 1,640
26...................................................... 1,968
27...................................................... 2,296
28...................................................... 2,623
29...................................................... 2,827
30...................................................... 3,281
31...................................................... 3,608
[[Page 10616]]
32...................................................... 3,936
33...................................................... 4,264
34...................................................... 4,592
35...................................................... 4,920
36...................................................... 5,248
37...................................................... 5,577
38...................................................... 5,904
39...................................................... 6,232
40...................................................... 6,559
41...................................................... 6,889
42...................................................... 7,216
43...................................................... 7,544
44...................................................... 7,872
45...................................................... 8,200
46...................................................... 8,529
47...................................................... 8,856
48...................................................... 9,185
49...................................................... 9,512
50...................................................... 9,840
51...................................................... 10,167
52...................................................... 10,497
53...................................................... 10,825
54...................................................... 11,152
55...................................................... 11,481
56...................................................... 11,808
57...................................................... 12,136
58...................................................... 12,464
59...................................................... 12,793
60...................................................... 13,120
61...................................................... 13,448
62...................................................... 13,777
63...................................................... 14,105
64...................................................... 14,433
65...................................................... 14,760
66...................................................... 15,089
67...................................................... 15,416
68...................................................... 15,744
69...................................................... 16,072
70...................................................... 16,401
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
3. In Sec. 723.15, revise paragraph (b) introductory text to read as
follows:
Sec. 723.15 Assessment of separate violations for each day.
* * * * *
(b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a)
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not
less than $2,460 will be assessed for each day during which such
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *
PART 724--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES
0
4. The authority citation for part 724 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and 31 U.S.C.
3701.
0
5. In Sec. 724.14, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read
as follows:
Sec. 724.14 Amount of individual civil penalty.
* * * * *
(b) The penalty will not exceed $16,401 for each violation. * * *
PART 845--CIVIL PENALTIES
0
6. The authority citation for part 845 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., 31 U.S.C.
3701, Pub. L. 100-202, and Pub. L. 100-446.
0
7. In Sec. 845.14, revise the table to read as follows:
Sec. 845.14 Determination of amount of penalty.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................... 65
2....................................................... 132
3....................................................... 197
4....................................................... 262
5....................................................... 328
6....................................................... 394
7....................................................... 459
8....................................................... 524
9....................................................... 590
10...................................................... 656
11...................................................... 721
12...................................................... 787
13...................................................... 852
14...................................................... 918
15...................................................... 985
16...................................................... 1,050
17...................................................... 1,115
18...................................................... 1,182
19...................................................... 1,247
20...................................................... 1,312
21...................................................... 1,378
22...................................................... 1,444
23...................................................... 1,509
24...................................................... 1,574
25...................................................... 1,640
26...................................................... 1,968
27...................................................... 2,296
28...................................................... 2,623
29...................................................... 2,827
30...................................................... 3,281
31...................................................... 3,608
32...................................................... 3,936
33...................................................... 4,264
34...................................................... 4,592
35...................................................... 4,920
36...................................................... 5,248
37...................................................... 5,577
38...................................................... 5,904
39...................................................... 6,232
40...................................................... 6,559
41...................................................... 6,889
42...................................................... 7,216
43...................................................... 7,544
44...................................................... 7,872
45...................................................... 8,200
46...................................................... 8,529
47...................................................... 8,856
48...................................................... 9,185
49...................................................... 9,512
50...................................................... 9,840
51...................................................... 10,167
52...................................................... 10,497
53...................................................... 10,825
54...................................................... 11,152
55...................................................... 11,481
56...................................................... 11,808
57...................................................... 12,136
58...................................................... 12,464
59...................................................... 12,793
60...................................................... 13,120
61...................................................... 13,448
62...................................................... 13,777
63...................................................... 14,105
64...................................................... 14,433
65...................................................... 14,760
66...................................................... 15,089
67...................................................... 15,416
68...................................................... 15,744
69...................................................... 16,072
70...................................................... 16,401
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
8. In Sec. 845.15, revise paragraph (b) introductory text to read as
follows:
Sec. 845.15 Assessment of separate violations for each day.
* * * * *
(b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a)
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not
less than $2,460 will be assessed for each day during which such
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *
PART 846--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES
0
9. The authority citation for part 846 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and 31 U.S.C.
3701.
0
10. In Sec. 846.14, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read
as follows:
Sec. 846.14 Amount of individual civil penalty.
* * * * *
(b) The penalty will not exceed $16,401 for each violation. * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-04909 Filed 3-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
