Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments, 15881-15887 [2022-05624]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 11,
2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022–05546 Filed 3–18–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846
[Docket ID: OSM 2022–0001; S1D1S
SS08011000 SX064A000 222S180110;
S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 22XS501520]
RIN 1029–AC80
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: Effective March 21, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Khalia A. Boyd, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,
1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558,
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202)
208–2823. Email: kboyd@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
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Takings (Executive Order 12630)
F. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order
12988)
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes
(Executive Order 13175 and
Departmental Policy)
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
J. National Environmental Policy Act
K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution,
and Use (Executive Order 13211)
L. Clarity of This Regulation
M. Data Quality Act
N. Administrative Procedure Act
O. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
P. Protection of Children From
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (Executive Order 13045)
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 six
sections—30 CFR 723.14, 723.15,
724.14, 845.14, 845.15, and 846.14.
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30 CFR 723.14 ..........................................................................................................
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On November 2, 2015, the President
signed the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of Pub. L. 114–74)
(2015 Act) into 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 (APA)].’’ Therefore, ‘‘the
public procedure the APA generally
requires—notice, an opportunity for
comment, and a delay in effective
date—is not required for agencies to
issue regulations implementing the
annual adjustment.’’ December 15, 2021,
Memorandum for the Heads of
Executive Departments and Agencies
(M–22–07) from Shalanda D. Young,
Acting Director, Office of Management
and Budget, Implementation of Penalty
Inflation Adjustments for 2022,
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum), at 3–
4.
Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act,
this final rule reflects the statutorily
required CMP adjustments as follows:
Points
(where applicable)
CFR citation
Frm 00043
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15881
Current penalty
dollar amounts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
$69
139
208
277
346
416
485
552
623
693
761
831
898
969
1,040
1,108
1,177
21MRR1
Adjusted penalty
dollar amounts
$73
148
221
294
368
442
515
586
662
736
808
883
954
1,029
1,105
1,177
1,250
15882
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2022 / 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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Current penalty
dollar amounts
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
................................
................................
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
1,248
1,316
1,385
1,455
1,524
1,593
1,661
1,731
2,078
2,424
2,768
2,984
3,463
3,808
4,155
4,502
4,848
5,194
5,540
5,888
6,233
6,579
6,924
7,273
7,618
7,963
8,310
8,656
9,003
9,348
9,696
10,041
10,387
10,732
11,081
11,427
11,773
12,121
12,466
12,811
13,157
13,505
13,850
14,196
14,543
14,890
15,236
15,581
15,929
16,274
16,620
16,966
17,314
2,596
17,314
69
139
208
277
346
416
485
552
623
693
761
831
898
969
1,040
1,108
1,177
1,248
21MRR1
Adjusted penalty
dollar amounts
1,326
1,398
1,471
1,546
1,619
1,692
1,764
1,839
2,207
2,575
2,940
3,170
3,678
4,045
4,414
4,782
5,150
5,517
5,885
6,254
6,621
6,988
7,355
7,726
8,092
8,458
8,827
9,195
9,563
9,930
10,299
10,666
11,033
11,400
11,770
12,138
12,506
12,875
13,242
13,608
13,976
14,345
14,712
15,079
15,448
15,816
16,184
16,550
16,920
17,287
17,654
18,022
18,391
2,758
18,391
73
148
221
294
368
442
515
586
662
736
808
883
954
1,029
1,105
1,177
1,250
1,326
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
CFR citation
Points
(where applicable)
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each day) ......................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties) ............................................................
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
................................
................................
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.
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B. Calculation of Adjustments
OMB issued guidance on the 2022
annual adjustments for inflation. See
OMB Memorandum (December 15,
2021). 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
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Fmt 4700
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Current penalty
dollar amounts
1,316
1,385
1,455
1,524
1,593
1,661
1,731
2,078
2,424
2,768
2,984
3,463
3,808
4,155
4,502
4,848
5,194
5,540
5,888
6,233
6,579
6,924
7,273
7,618
7,963
8,310
8,656
9,003
9,348
9,696
10,041
10,387
10,732
11,081
11,427
11,773
12,121
12,466
12,811
13,157
13,505
13,850
14,196
14,543
14,890
15,236
15,581
15,929
16,274
16,620
16,996
17,314
2,596
17,314
15883
Adjusted penalty
dollar amounts
1,398
1,471
1,546
1,619
1,692
1,764
1,839
2,207
2,575
2,940
3,170
3,678
4,045
4,414
4,782
5,150
5,517
5,885
6,254
6,621
6,988
7,355
7,726
8,092
8,458
8,827
9,195
9,563
9,930
10,299
10,666
11,033
11,400
11,770
12,138
12,506
12,875
13,242
13,608
13,976
14,345
14,712
15,079
15,448
15,816
16,184
16,550
16,920
17,287
17,654
18,022
18,391
2,758
18,391
an administrative proceeding or a civil
action in the Federal courts . . . .’’ Id.
at 2. 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.’ ’’ Id. The 1990 Act, as
amended by the 2015 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
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(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 2022,
not seasonally adjusted, is 1.06222 (the
October 2021 CPI–U (276.589) divided
by the October 2020 CPI–U (260.388) =
1.06222). OSMRE used this guidance to
identify applicable CMPs and calculate
the required inflation adjustments. The
1990 Act, as amended by the 2015 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 CMP
assessments that occur after the date
that the increases take 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 70 points. For
example, under our existing regulations
in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70
points would amount to a $17,314 CMP.
To adjust this amount, we multiply
$17,314 by the 2021 inflation factor of
1.06222, resulting in a raw adjusted
amount of $18,391.28. 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
$18,391. 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 the Rule in Federal Program
States and on Indian Lands
OSMRE directly regulates surface coal
mining and reclamation operations
within a State or on Indian lands if the
State or Tribe does not obtain its own
approved program pursuant to sections
503 or 710(j) of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1253
or 1300(j). 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 increases in CMPs also
apply 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
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
Executive Order 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. Because this final
rule exclusively implements the annual
inflation adjustments, is consistent with
the OMB Memorandum, and will have
an annual impact of less than $100
million, it is not significant under
Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the
principles of Executive Order 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. Executive Order 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.
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
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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 United States-based
enterprises to compete with foreignbased 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 (Executive Order 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 (Executive Order 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.
G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order
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
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in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes
(Executive Order 13175 and
Departmental Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives
to strengthen its government-togovernment relationship with Tribes
through a commitment to consultation
with 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 Federallyrecognized 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.
K. Effects on Energy Supply,
Distribution, and Use (Executive Order
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
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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–
22–07, at 3–4.
O. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 3701 note et
seq.) directs Federal agencies to use
voluntary consensus standards when
implementing regulatory activities
unless to do so would be inconsistent
with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. This final rule is not subject
to the requirements of section 12(d) of
the NTTAA because application of those
requirements would be inconsistent
with SMCRA, and the requirements
would not be applicable to this final
rulemaking.
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P. Protection of Children From
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (Executive Order 13045)
Executive Order 13045 requires that
environmental and related rules
separately evaluate the potential impact
to children. However, Executive Order
13045 is inapplicable to this rulemaking
because this is not a substantive
rulemaking and a notice of proposed
rulemaking was neither required nor
prepared. See section 2–202 and 5–501
of Executive Order 13045.
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.
Delegation of Signing Authority
The action taken herein is pursuant to
an existing delegation of authority.
Laura Daniel-Davis,
Principal Deputy 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. Revise the table in § 723.14 to read
as follows:
■
§ 723.14
penalty.
*
*
Determination of amount of
*
*
*
TABLE 1 TO § 723.14
Points
1 ......................................................
2 ......................................................
3 ......................................................
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73
148
221
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§ 723.15 Assessment of separate
violations for each day.
TABLE 1 TO § 723.14—Continued
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Points
Dollars
4 ......................................................
5 ......................................................
6 ......................................................
7 ......................................................
8 ......................................................
9 ......................................................
10 ....................................................
11 ....................................................
12 ....................................................
13 ....................................................
14 ....................................................
15 ....................................................
16 ....................................................
17 ....................................................
18 ....................................................
19 ....................................................
20 ....................................................
21 ....................................................
22 ....................................................
23 ....................................................
24 ....................................................
25 ....................................................
26 ....................................................
27 ....................................................
28 ....................................................
29 ....................................................
30 ....................................................
31 ....................................................
32 ....................................................
33 ....................................................
34 ....................................................
35 ....................................................
36 ....................................................
37 ....................................................
38 ....................................................
39 ....................................................
40 ....................................................
41 ....................................................
42 ....................................................
43 ....................................................
44 ....................................................
45 ....................................................
46 ....................................................
47 ....................................................
48 ....................................................
49 ....................................................
50 ....................................................
51 ....................................................
52 ....................................................
53 ....................................................
54 ....................................................
55 ....................................................
56 ....................................................
57 ....................................................
58 ....................................................
59 ....................................................
60 ....................................................
61 ....................................................
62 ....................................................
63 ....................................................
64 ....................................................
65 ....................................................
66 ....................................................
67 ....................................................
68 ....................................................
69 ....................................................
70 ....................................................
294
368
442
515
586
662
736
808
883
954
1,029
1,105
1,177
1,250
1,326
1,398
1,471
1,546
1,619
1,692
1,764
1,839
2,207
2,575
2,940
3,170
3,678
4,045
4,414
4,782
5,150
5,517
5,885
6,254
6,621
6,988
7,355
7,726
8,092
8,458
8,827
9,195
9,563
9,930
10,299
10,666
11,033
11,400
11,770
12,138
12,506
12,875
13,242
13,608
13,976
14,345
14,712
15,079
15,448
15,816
16,184
16,550
16,920
17,287
17,654
18,022
18,391
3. In § 723.15, revise introductory text
of paragraph (b) to read as follows:
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:50 Mar 18, 2022
Jkt 256001
TABLE 1 TO § 845.14—Continued
*
*
*
*
*
(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 $2,758 will be assessed for each
day during which such failure to abate
continues, except that:
*
*
*
*
*
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:
■
§ 724.14
Amount of individual civil penalty.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) The penalty will not exceed
$18,391 for each violation. * * *
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. Revise the table in § 845.14 to read
as follows:
■
§ 845.14
penalty.
*
*
Determination of amount of
*
*
*
TABLE 1 TO § 845.14
Points
Dollars
1 ......................................................
2 ......................................................
3 ......................................................
4 ......................................................
5 ......................................................
6 ......................................................
7 ......................................................
8 ......................................................
9 ......................................................
10 ....................................................
11 ....................................................
12 ....................................................
13 ....................................................
14 ....................................................
15 ....................................................
16 ....................................................
17 ....................................................
18 ....................................................
19 ....................................................
20 ....................................................
21 ....................................................
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
73
148
221
294
368
442
515
586
662
736
808
883
954
1,029
1,105
1,177
1,250
1,326
1,398
1,471
1,546
Points
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
Dollars
1,619
1,692
1,764
1,839
2,207
2,575
2,940
3,170
3,678
4,045
4,414
4,782
5,150
5,517
5,885
6,254
6,621
6,988
7,355
7,726
8,092
8,458
8,827
9,195
9,563
9,930
10,299
10,666
11,033
11,400
11,770
12,138
12,506
12,875
13,242
13,608
13,976
14,345
14,712
15,079
15,448
15,816
16,184
16,550
16,920
17,287
17,654
18,022
18,391
8. In § 845.15, revise introductory text
of paragraph (b) 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 $2,758 will be assessed for each
day during which such failure to abate
continues, except that:
*
*
*
*
*
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
21MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 54 / Monday, March 21, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
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
*
*
*
*
*
(b) The penalty will not exceed
$18,391 for each violation. * * *
[FR Doc. 2022–05624 Filed 3–18–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG–2022–0174]
RIN 1625–AA87
Security Zone; Cooper River Bridge
Run, Cooper River and Town Creek
Reaches, Charleston, SC
Coast Guard, DHS.
Temporary final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Coast Guard is
establishing a temporary security zone
on certain waters of the Cooper River
and Town Creek Reaches. This action is
necessary to provide for the safety of life
on these navigable waters near
Charleston, South Carolina, during the
Cooper River Bridge Run. This
regulation prohibits persons and vessels
from entering, transiting through,
anchoring in, or remaining within the
security zone unless authorized by the
Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP)
or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 7:30
a.m. to 11 a.m., on April 2, 2022.
ADDRESSES: To view documents
mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to https://
www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2022–
0174 in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click
‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket
Folder on the line associated with this
rule.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this rule, call or
email Lieutenant Commander Chad Ray,
Sector Charleston Waterways
Management Division, Coast Guard;
telephone (843) 740–3184, email
Chad.L.Ray@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:50 Mar 18, 2022
Jkt 256001
I. Table of Abbreviations
IV. Discussion of the Rule
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
§ Section
U.S.C. United States Code
This rule establishes a security zone
from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., on April 2,
2022. The security zone will cover
certain navigable waters of the Cooper
River and Town Creek Reaches in
Charleston, South Carolina. The
duration of the zone is intended to
ensure the safety and security of the
participants, spectators, and the general
public during the scheduled 7:30 a.m. to
11 a.m. race. No vessel or person will
be permitted to enter, transit through,
anchor in or remain within the security
zone without obtaining permission from
the COTP or a designated
representative. If authorization to enter,
transit through, anchor in, or remain
within the security zone is granted by
the COTP or a designated
representative, all persons and vessels
receiving such authorization must
comply with the instructions of the
COTP or a designated representative.
The Coast Guard will provide notice of
the security zone by Local Notice to
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners,
or by on-scene designated
representatives.
II. Background Information and
Regulatory History
Amount of individual civil penalty.
15887
The Coast Guard is issuing this
temporary rule without prior notice and
opportunity to comment pursuant to
authority under section 4(a) of the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision
authorizes an agency to issue a rule
without prior notice and opportunity to
comment when the agency for good
cause finds that those procedures are
‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest.’’ Under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that
good cause exists for not publishing a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
with respect to this rule because it is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. The primary justification for
this action is that the Coast Guard was
given short notice from the event
sponsor. Therefore, the Coast Guard
lacks sufficient time to provide a
reasonable comment period and then
consider those comments before issuing
the rule. It would be impracticable and
contrary to the public interest to delay
promulgating this rule, as it is necessary
to protect the safety of participants,
spectators, and vessels transiting near
the race area during the Cooper River
Bridge 10–K Run event.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast
Guard finds that good cause exists for
making this rule effective less than 30
days after publication in the Federal
Register. Delaying the effective date of
this rule would be impracticable and
contrary to the public interest because
the temporary security zone must be
established on April 2, 2022 to ensure
the safety of participants, spectators,
and vessels during the event.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule
under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. The
COTP Charleston has determined that
potential hazards associated with the
large number of participants and
spectators during the run will be a
safety and security concern. The
purpose of the rule is to ensure the
safety and security of participants,
spectators, the general public, vessels
and the navigable waters in the security
zone before, during and after the
scheduled race.
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after
considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking.
Below we summarize our analyses
based on a number of these statutes and
Executive orders, and we discuss First
Amendment rights of protestors.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
direct agencies to assess the costs and
benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits.
This rule has not been designated a
‘‘significant regulatory action,’’ under
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly,
this rule has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
This regulatory action determination
is based on the following reasons: (1)
The security zone only being enforced
for a total of three and a half hours; (2)
although persons and vessels may not
enter, transit through, anchor in, or
remain within the zone without
authorization from the COTP or a
designated representative, they may
operate in the surrounding area during
the enforcement period; (3) persons and
vessels may still enter, transit through,
anchor in, or remain within the areas
during the enforcement period if
authorized by the COTP or a designated
representative; and (4) the Coast Guard
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
21MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 54 (Monday, March 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15881-15887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05624]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846
[Docket ID: OSM 2022-0001; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 222S180110; S2D2S
SS08011000 SX064A00 22XS501520]
RIN 1029-AC80
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: Effective March 21, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Khalia A. Boyd, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558,
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-2823. 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
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and
13563)
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
E. Takings (Executive Order 12630)
F. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and
Departmental Policy)
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
J. National Environmental Policy Act
K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (Executive
Order 13211)
L. Clarity of This Regulation
M. Data Quality Act
N. Administrative Procedure Act
O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and
Safety Risks (Executive Order 13045)
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 six sections--30 CFR 723.14, 723.15, 724.14, 845.14, 845.15, and
846.14.
On November 2, 2015, the President signed the Federal Civil
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701
of Pub. L. 114-74) (2015 Act) into 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 (APA)].'' Therefore, ``the public
procedure the APA generally requires--notice, an opportunity for
comment, and a delay in effective date--is not required for agencies to
issue regulations implementing the annual adjustment.'' December 15,
2021, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
(M-22-07) from Shalanda D. Young, Acting Director, Office of Management
and Budget, Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2022,
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum), at 3-4.
Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, this final rule reflects the
statutorily required CMP adjustments as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points (where Current penalty Adjusted penalty
CFR citation applicable) dollar amounts dollar amounts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 723.14.......................................... 1 $69 $73
2 139 148
3 208 221
4 277 294
5 346 368
6 416 442
7 485 515
8 552 586
9 623 662
10 693 736
11 761 808
12 831 883
13 898 954
14 969 1,029
15 1,040 1,105
16 1,108 1,177
17 1,177 1,250
[[Page 15882]]
18 1,248 1,326
19 1,316 1,398
20 1,385 1,471
21 1,455 1,546
22 1,524 1,619
23 1,593 1,692
24 1,661 1,764
25 1,731 1,839
26 2,078 2,207
27 2,424 2,575
28 2,768 2,940
29 2,984 3,170
30 3,463 3,678
31 3,808 4,045
32 4,155 4,414
33 4,502 4,782
34 4,848 5,150
35 5,194 5,517
36 5,540 5,885
37 5,888 6,254
38 6,233 6,621
39 6,579 6,988
40 6,924 7,355
41 7,273 7,726
42 7,618 8,092
43 7,963 8,458
44 8,310 8,827
45 8,656 9,195
46 9,003 9,563
47 9,348 9,930
48 9,696 10,299
49 10,041 10,666
50 10,387 11,033
51 10,732 11,400
52 11,081 11,770
53 11,427 12,138
54 11,773 12,506
55 12,121 12,875
56 12,466 13,242
57 12,811 13,608
58 13,157 13,976
59 13,505 14,345
60 13,850 14,712
61 14,196 15,079
62 14,543 15,448
63 14,890 15,816
64 15,236 16,184
65 15,581 16,550
66 15,929 16,920
67 16,274 17,287
68 16,620 17,654
69 16,966 18,022
70 17,314 18,391
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for .................. 2,596 2,758
each day).............................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties).......... .................. 17,314 18,391
30 CFR 845.14.......................................... 1 69 73
2 139 148
3 208 221
4 277 294
5 346 368
6 416 442
7 485 515
8 552 586
9 623 662
10 693 736
11 761 808
12 831 883
13 898 954
14 969 1,029
15 1,040 1,105
16 1,108 1,177
17 1,177 1,250
18 1,248 1,326
[[Page 15883]]
19 1,316 1,398
20 1,385 1,471
21 1,455 1,546
22 1,524 1,619
23 1,593 1,692
24 1,661 1,764
25 1,731 1,839
26 2,078 2,207
27 2,424 2,575
28 2,768 2,940
29 2,984 3,170
30 3,463 3,678
31 3,808 4,045
32 4,155 4,414
33 4,502 4,782
34 4,848 5,150
35 5,194 5,517
36 5,540 5,885
37 5,888 6,254
38 6,233 6,621
39 6,579 6,988
40 6,924 7,355
41 7,273 7,726
42 7,618 8,092
43 7,963 8,458
44 8,310 8,827
45 8,656 9,195
46 9,003 9,563
47 9,348 9,930
48 9,696 10,299
49 10,041 10,666
50 10,387 11,033
51 10,732 11,400
52 11,081 11,770
53 11,427 12,138
54 11,773 12,506
55 12,121 12,875
56 12,466 13,242
57 12,811 13,608
58 13,157 13,976
59 13,505 14,345
60 13,850 14,712
61 14,196 15,079
62 14,543 15,448
63 14,890 15,816
64 15,236 16,184
65 15,581 16,550
66 15,929 16,920
67 16,274 17,287
68 16,620 17,654
69 16,996 18,022
70 17,314 18,391
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for .................. 2,596 2,758
each day).............................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties).......... .................. 17,314 18,391
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2022 annual adjustments for inflation.
See OMB Memorandum (December 15, 2021). 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 . . .
.'' Id. at 2. 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.' '' Id. The 1990 Act, as
amended by the 2015 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
[[Page 15884]]
(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 2022, not seasonally adjusted,
is 1.06222 (the October 2021 CPI-U (276.589) divided by the October
2020 CPI-U (260.388) = 1.06222). OSMRE used this guidance to identify
applicable CMPs and calculate the required inflation adjustments. The
1990 Act, as amended by the 2015 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 CMP assessments that
occur after the date that the increases take 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 70 points. For example, under our
existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 points
would amount to a $17,314 CMP. To adjust this amount, we multiply
$17,314 by the 2021 inflation factor of 1.06222, resulting in a raw
adjusted amount of $18,391.28. 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 $18,391.
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 the Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian Lands
OSMRE directly regulates surface coal mining and reclamation
operations within a State or on Indian lands if the State or Tribe does
not obtain its own approved program pursuant to sections 503 or 710(j)
of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1253 or 1300(j). 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 increases in CMPs also apply 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
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
Executive Order 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. Because this final rule exclusively implements the annual
inflation adjustments, is consistent with the OMB Memorandum, and will
have an annual impact of less than $100 million, it is not significant
under Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of Executive Order
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. Executive Order 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.
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
United States-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 (Executive Order 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 (Executive Order 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.
G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 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
[[Page 15885]]
in clear language and contain clear legal standards.
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and
Departmental Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Tribes through a commitment
to consultation with 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 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 (Executive Order
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-22-07, at 3-4.
O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 3701 note et seq.) directs Federal agencies to
use voluntary consensus standards when implementing regulatory
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. This final rule is not subject to the
requirements of section 12(d) of the NTTAA because application of those
requirements would be inconsistent with SMCRA, and the requirements
would not be applicable to this final rulemaking.
P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (Executive Order 13045)
Executive Order 13045 requires that environmental and related rules
separately evaluate the potential impact to children. However,
Executive Order 13045 is inapplicable to this rulemaking because this
is not a substantive rulemaking and a notice of proposed rulemaking was
neither required nor prepared. See section 2-202 and 5-501 of Executive
Order 13045.
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.
Delegation of Signing Authority
The action taken herein is pursuant to an existing delegation of
authority.
Laura Daniel-Davis,
Principal Deputy 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. Revise the table in Sec. 723.14 to read as follows:
Sec. 723.14 Determination of amount of penalty.
* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 723.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................. 73
2............................................................. 148
3............................................................. 221
[[Page 15886]]
4............................................................. 294
5............................................................. 368
6............................................................. 442
7............................................................. 515
8............................................................. 586
9............................................................. 662
10............................................................ 736
11............................................................ 808
12............................................................ 883
13............................................................ 954
14............................................................ 1,029
15............................................................ 1,105
16............................................................ 1,177
17............................................................ 1,250
18............................................................ 1,326
19............................................................ 1,398
20............................................................ 1,471
21............................................................ 1,546
22............................................................ 1,619
23............................................................ 1,692
24............................................................ 1,764
25............................................................ 1,839
26............................................................ 2,207
27............................................................ 2,575
28............................................................ 2,940
29............................................................ 3,170
30............................................................ 3,678
31............................................................ 4,045
32............................................................ 4,414
33............................................................ 4,782
34............................................................ 5,150
35............................................................ 5,517
36............................................................ 5,885
37............................................................ 6,254
38............................................................ 6,621
39............................................................ 6,988
40............................................................ 7,355
41............................................................ 7,726
42............................................................ 8,092
43............................................................ 8,458
44............................................................ 8,827
45............................................................ 9,195
46............................................................ 9,563
47............................................................ 9,930
48............................................................ 10,299
49............................................................ 10,666
50............................................................ 11,033
51............................................................ 11,400
52............................................................ 11,770
53............................................................ 12,138
54............................................................ 12,506
55............................................................ 12,875
56............................................................ 13,242
57............................................................ 13,608
58............................................................ 13,976
59............................................................ 14,345
60............................................................ 14,712
61............................................................ 15,079
62............................................................ 15,448
63............................................................ 15,816
64............................................................ 16,184
65............................................................ 16,550
66............................................................ 16,920
67............................................................ 17,287
68............................................................ 17,654
69............................................................ 18,022
70............................................................ 18,391
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
3. In Sec. 723.15, revise introductory text of paragraph (b) 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 $2,758 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 $18,391 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. Revise the table in Sec. 845.14 to read as follows:
Sec. 845.14 Determination of amount of penalty.
* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 845.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................. 73
2............................................................. 148
3............................................................. 221
4............................................................. 294
5............................................................. 368
6............................................................. 442
7............................................................. 515
8............................................................. 586
9............................................................. 662
10............................................................ 736
11............................................................ 808
12............................................................ 883
13............................................................ 954
14............................................................ 1,029
15............................................................ 1,105
16............................................................ 1,177
17............................................................ 1,250
18............................................................ 1,326
19............................................................ 1,398
20............................................................ 1,471
21............................................................ 1,546
22............................................................ 1,619
23............................................................ 1,692
24............................................................ 1,764
25............................................................ 1,839
26............................................................ 2,207
27............................................................ 2,575
28............................................................ 2,940
29............................................................ 3,170
30............................................................ 3,678
31............................................................ 4,045
32............................................................ 4,414
33............................................................ 4,782
34............................................................ 5,150
35............................................................ 5,517
36............................................................ 5,885
37............................................................ 6,254
38............................................................ 6,621
39............................................................ 6,988
40............................................................ 7,355
41............................................................ 7,726
42............................................................ 8,092
43............................................................ 8,458
44............................................................ 8,827
45............................................................ 9,195
46............................................................ 9,563
47............................................................ 9,930
48............................................................ 10,299
49............................................................ 10,666
50............................................................ 11,033
51............................................................ 11,400
52............................................................ 11,770
53............................................................ 12,138
54............................................................ 12,506
55............................................................ 12,875
56............................................................ 13,242
57............................................................ 13,608
58............................................................ 13,976
59............................................................ 14,345
60............................................................ 14,712
61............................................................ 15,079
62............................................................ 15,448
63............................................................ 15,816
64............................................................ 16,184
65............................................................ 16,550
66............................................................ 16,920
67............................................................ 17,287
68............................................................ 17,654
69............................................................ 18,022
70............................................................ 18,391
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
8. In Sec. 845.15, revise introductory text of paragraph (b) 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 $2,758 will be assessed for each day during which such
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *
[[Page 15887]]
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 $18,391 for each violation. * * *
[FR Doc. 2022-05624 Filed 3-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
