Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule, 47863-47866 [2024-12239]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 4, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series),
which guide the Coast Guard in
complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have
determined that this action is one of a
category of actions that do not
individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human
environment.
A Record of Environmental
Consideration supporting this
determination is available in the docket.
For instructions on locating the docket,
see the ADDRESSES section of this
preamble. This final rule meets the
criteria for categorical exclusions L57 in
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction
Manual 023–01–001–01, Rev 1.
Categorical exclusion L57 pertains to
regulations concerning manning,
documentation, admeasurement,
inspection, and equipping of vessels.
This final rule involves conforming
current regulations to the amended
statute and updating the regulations to
allow digital versions of any CON. We
seek any comments or information that
may lead to the discovery of a
significant environmental impact from
this final rule.
§ 173.21
Certificate of number required.
List of Subjects
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
33 CFR Part 173
Marine safety, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
(a) Except as provided in §§ 173.13
and 173.17, no person may operate a
vessel to which this part applies unless
they have on board in hard copy or
digital form:
*
*
*
*
*
PART 174—STATE NUMBERING AND
CASUALTY REPORTING SYSTEMS
3. The authority citation for part 174
is revised to read as follows:
■
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 6101 and 12302; DHS
Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
■
4. Revise § 174.25 to read as follows:
§ 174.25
Size of certificate of number.
Each certificate of number must be in
hard copy or digital form. Any
certificate issued in hard copy under
this section must be pocketsized.
Dated: May 29, 2024.
W.R. Arguin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant
Commandant for Prevention Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024–12201 Filed 6–3–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
33 CFR Parts 207 and 326
33 CFR Part 174
Intergovernmental relations, Marine
safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR parts 173 and 174 as follows:
PART 173—VESSEL NUMBERING AND
CASUALTY AND ACCIDENT
REPORTING
1. The authority citation for part 173
is revised to read as follows:
■
Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2110,
6101, 12301, 12302; OMB Circular A–25;
DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No.
01.4.
2. Amend § 173.21 by revising
paragraph (a) introductory text to read
as follows:
■
RIN 0710–AB54
Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation
Adjustment Rule
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DoD.
ACTION:
Final rule.
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) is issuing this final
rule to adjust its civil monetary
penalties (CMP) under the Rivers and
Harbors Appropriation Act of 1922
(RHA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and
the National Fishing Enhancement Act
(NFEA) to account for inflation.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
June 4, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
the RHA portion, please contact Mr.
SUMMARY:
47863
Joseph R. Wilson, 202–761–7697 or by
email at joseph.r.wilson@
usace.army.mil, or for the CWA and
NFEA portion, please contact Mr. Matt
Wilson 202–761–5856 or by email at
Matthew.S.Wilson@usace.army.mil or
access the Corps Regulatory Home Page
at https://www.usace.army.mil/
Missions/Civil-Works/RegulatoryProgram-and-Permits/.
The
Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act of 1990, Public Law
101–410, codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461,
note, as amended, requires agencies to
annually adjust the level of CMP for
inflation to improve their effectiveness
and maintain their deterrent effect, as
required by the Federal Civil Penalties
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of
2015, Public Law 114–74, sec. 701,
November 2, 2015 (‘‘Inflation
Adjustment Act’’).
With this rule, the new statutory
maximum penalty levels listed in Table
1 will apply to all statutory civil
penalties assessed on or after the
effective date of this rule. Table 1 shows
the calculation of the 2024 annual
inflation adjustment based on the
guidance provided by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) (see
December 19, 2023, Memorandum for
the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies, Subject: Implementation of
Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2024,
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements
Act of 2015). The OMB provided to
agencies the cost-of-living adjustment
multiplier for 2024, based on the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (CPI–U) for the month of
October 2023, not seasonally adjusted,
which is 1.03241. 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.’’ For 2024,
agencies multiply each applicable
penalty by the multiplier, 1.03241, and
round to the nearest dollar. The
multiplier should be applied to the most
recent penalty amount, i.e., the one that
includes the 2023 annual inflation
adjustment.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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TABLE 1
2024
Inflation
adjustment
multiplier
Citation
Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)
amount established by law
2023 CMP amount in effect prior to
this rulemaking
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1922 (33
U.S.C. 555).
CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A) .........
$2,500 per violation ........................
$6,756 per violation ........................
1.03241
$6,975 per violation.
$10,000 per violation, with a maximum of $25,000.
$25,848 per violation, with a maximum of $64,619.
1.03241
$26,686 per violation, with a maximum of $66,713.
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CMP amount as of June 4, 2024
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 4, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—Continued
Citation
CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1344(s)(4) ..............
National Fishing Enhancement Act,
33 U.S.C. 2104(e).
Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)
amount established by law
Maximum of $25,000 per day for
each violation.
Maximum of $10,000 per violation
Section 4 of the Inflation Adjustment
Act directs federal agencies to publish
annual penalty inflation adjustments. In
accordance with section 553 of the
Administrative Procedures Act (APA),
many rules are subject to notice and
comment and are effective no earlier
than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register. Section 4(b)(2) of the
Inflation Adjustment Act further
provides that each agency shall make
the annual inflation adjustments
‘‘notwithstanding section 553’’ of the
APA. According to the December 2023
OMB guidance issued to Federal
agencies on the implementation of the
2024 annual adjustment, the phrase
‘‘notwithstanding section 553’’ means
that, ‘‘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.’’
Consistent with the language of the
Inflation Adjustment Act and OMB’s
implementation guidance, this rule is
not subject to notice and opportunity for
public comment or a delay in effective
date. This rule adjusts the value of
current statutory civil penalties to
reflect and keep pace with the levels
originally set by Congress when the
statutes were enacted, as required by the
Inflation Adjustment Act. This rule will
apply prospectively to penalty
assessments beginning on the effective
date of this final rule.
Regulatory Procedures
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Plain Language
In compliance with the principles in
the President’s Memorandum of June 1,
1998, regarding plain language, this
preamble is written using plain
language. The use of ‘‘we’’ in this notice
refers to the Corps and the use of ‘‘you’’
refers to the reader. We have also used
the active voice, short sentences, and
common everyday terms except for
necessary technical terms.
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2023 CMP amount in effect prior to
this rulemaking
Maximum of $64,619 per day for
each violation.
Maximum of $28,304 per violation
Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory
Planning and Review,’’ and Executive
Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation
and Regulatory Review’’
This rule is not designated a
‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
Executive Order 12866 and OMB
determined this rule to not be
significant. Moreover, this final rule
makes nondiscretionary adjustments to
existing CMP in accordance with the
Inflation Adjustment Act and OMB
guidance. The Corps, therefore, did not
consider alternatives and does not have
the flexibility to alter the adjustments of
the civil monetary penalty amounts as
provided in this rule.
Public Law 96–511, ‘‘Paperwork
Reduction Act’’ (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
The Department of Defense
determined that provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, and its implementing regulations, 5
CFR part 1320, do not apply to this rule
because there are no new or revised
recordkeeping or reporting
requirements. This action merely
increases the level of statutory civil
penalties that could be imposed in the
context of a federal civil administrative
enforcement action or civil judicial case
for violations of Corps-administered
statutes and implementing regulations.
Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism’’
Executive Order 13132 establishes
certain requirements that an agency
must meet when it promulgates a rule
that imposes substantial direct
requirement costs on State and local
governments, preempts State law, or
otherwise has Federalism implications.
This final rule will not have a
substantial effect on State and local
governments.
Public Law 96–354, ‘‘Regulatory
Flexibility Act’’ (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Civil Works) certified that this rule is
not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) because it
would not, if promulgated, have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
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2024
Inflation
adjustment
multiplier
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1.03241
1.03241
CMP amount as of June 4, 2024
Maximum of $66,713 per day for
each violation.
Maximum of $29,221 per violation.
Because notice of proposed rulemaking
and opportunity for comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act are inapplicable.
Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, as amended, does not require the
Corps to prepare a regulatory flexibility
analysis.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2
U.S.C. Chapter 25)
Section 202 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA)
(2 U.S.C. 1532) requires agencies to
assess anticipated costs and benefits
before issuing any rule the mandates of
which require spending in any year of
$100 million in 1995 dollars, updated
annually for inflation. This rule will not
mandate any requirements for State,
local, or tribal governments, nor will it
affect private sector costs.
Public Law 104–113, ‘‘National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (15 U.S.C. Chapter 7)
Section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104–
113, (15 U.S.C. 272 note), directs us to
use voluntary consensus standards in
our regulatory activities, unless to do so
would be inconsistent with applicable
law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary
consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications,
test methods, sampling procedures, and
business practices) that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies. The NTTAA directs
us to provide Congress, through OMB,
explanations when we decide not to use
available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards. This rule does not
involve technical standards. Therefore,
we did not consider the use of any
voluntary consensus standards.
Executive Order 13045, ‘‘Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’
Executive Order 13045 applies to any
rule that: (1) is determined to be
‘‘economically significant’’ as defined
under Executive Order 12866, and (2)
concerns an environmental health or
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 4, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
safety risk that we have reason to
believe may have a disproportionate
effect on children. If the regulatory
action meets both criteria, we must
evaluate the environmental health or
safety effects of the rule on children,
and explain why the regulation is
preferable to other potentially effective
and reasonably feasible alternatives.
This rule is not subject to this Executive
Order because it is not economically
significant as defined in Executive
Order 12866. In addition, it does not
concern an environmental or safety risk
that we have reason to believe may have
a disproportionate effect on children.
Executive Order 13175, ‘‘Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments’’
Executive Order 13175 requires
agencies to develop an accountable
process to ensure ‘‘meaningful and
timely input by tribal officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have tribal implications.’’ The phrase
‘‘policies that have tribal implications’’
is defined in the Executive Order to
include regulations that have
‘‘substantial direct effects on one or
more Indian tribes, on the relationship
between the Federal government and
the Indian tribes, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities between
the Federal government and Indian
tribes.’’ This rule does not have tribal
implications. The rule imposes no new
substantive obligations on tribal
governments. Therefore, Executive
Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
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Public Law 104–121, ‘‘Congressional
Review Act,’’ (5 U.S.C. Chapter 8)
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as amended by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. We will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States. A major rule cannot take effect
until 60 days after it is published in the
Federal Register. This rule is not a
‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
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Executive Order 12898, ‘‘Federal
Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations’’
Executive Order 12898 requires that,
to the greatest extent practicable and
permitted by law, each Federal agency
must make achieving environmental
justice part of its mission. Executive
Order 12898 provides that each Federal
agency conduct its programs, policies,
and activities that substantially affect
human health or the environment in a
manner that ensures that such programs,
policies, and activities do not have the
effect of excluding persons (including
populations) from participation in,
denying persons (including
populations) the benefits of, or
subjecting persons (including
populations) to discrimination under
such programs, policies, and activities
because of their race, color, or national
origin. This rule merely adjusts civil
penalties to account for inflation, and
therefore, is not expected to negatively
impact any community, and therefore is
not expected to cause any
disproportionately high and adverse
impacts to minority or low-income
communities.
Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’
This rule is not a ‘‘significant energy
action’’ as defined in Executive Order
13211 because it is not likely to have a
significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy.
List of Subjects
33 CFR Part 207
Navigation (water), Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, and Waterways.
33 CFR Part 326
Administrative practice and
procedure, Intergovernmental relations,
Investigations, Law enforcement,
Navigation (Water), Water pollution
control, and Waterways.
Approved by:
Michael L. Connor,
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works).
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, title 33, chapter II, part 207 of
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47865
the Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
PART 207—NAVIGATION
REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 207
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1; 33 U.S.C. 555; 28
U.S.C. 2461 note.
2. Amend § 207.800 by revising
paragraph (c)(2) to read as follows:
■
§ 207.800 Collection of navigation
statistics.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) In addition, any person or entity
that fails to provide timely, accurate,
and complete statements or reports
required to be submitted by the
regulation in this section may also be
assessed a civil penalty of up to $6,975
per violation under 33 U.S.C. 555, as
amended.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 326—ENFORCEMENT
3. The authority citation for part 326
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.; 33 U.S.C.
1344; 33 U.S.C. 1413; 33 U.S.C. 2104; 33
U.S.C. 1319; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
4. Amend § 326.6 by revising
paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
■
§ 326.6
Class I administrative penalties.
(a) * * *
(1) This section sets forth procedures
for initiation and administration of
Class I administrative penalty orders
under Section 309(g) of the Clean Water
Act, judicially-imposed civil penalties
under Section 404(s) of the Clean Water
Act, and Section 205 of the National
Fishing Enhancement Act. Under
Section 309(g)(2)(A) of the Clean Water
Act, Class I civil penalties may not
exceed $26,686 per violation, except
that the maximum amount of any Class
I civil penalty shall not exceed $66,713.
Under Section 404(s)(4) of the Clean
Water Act, judicially-imposed civil
penalties may not exceed $66,713 per
day for each violation. Under Section
205(e) of the National Fishing
Enhancement Act, penalties for
violations of permits issued in
accordance with that Act shall not
exceed $29,211 for each violation.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 4, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(1)
Statutory civil monetary penalty amount for violations that occurred
after November 2, 2015, and are assessed on or after June 4, 2024
Environmental statute and U.S. code citation
Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 309(g)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A)
CWA, Section 404(s)(4), 33 U.S.C. 1344(s)(4) ........................................
National Fishing Enhancement Act, Section 205(e), 33 U.S.C. 2104(e)
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within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
*
[FR Doc. 2024–12239 Filed 6–3–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Background
National Park Service
Purpose and Significance of Cape
Hatteras National Seashore
36 CFR Part 7
[NPS–CAHA–NPS37329; Docket No. NPS–
2023–0003; 233P103601–PPSECAHAS0–
PPMPSPD1Z.YM0000]
RIN 1024–AE83
Cape Hatteras National Seashore;
Bicycling
National Park Service, Interior.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The National Park Service
amends the special regulations for Cape
Hatteras National Seashore to allow for
bicycle use on an approximately 1.6mile multi-use pathway in the Hatteras
Island District of the Seashore.
DATES: This rule is effective July 5,
2024.
SUMMARY:
ADDRESSES:
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$26,686 per violation, with a maximum of $66,713.
Maximum of $66,713 per day for each violation.
Maximum of $29,221 per violation.
Docket: The comments received on
the proposed rule and an economic
analysis are available on
www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
NPS–2023–0003.
Document Availability: The Construct
Multi-use Pathway in Hatteras Island
District Environmental Assessment
(EA), Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI), and related project documents
provide information and context for this
rulemaking and are available online at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha by
clicking the link entitled ‘‘Construct
Multi-Use Pathway in Hatteras Island
District’’ and then clicking the link
entitled ‘‘Document List.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Hallac, Superintendent, Cape
Hatteras National Seashore; (252) 473–
2111; david_hallac@nps.gov.
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
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In 1937, Congress authorized the
establishment of Cape Hatteras National
Seashore. Located in the Outer Banks in
Dare County, North Carolina, the
Seashore consists of more than 30,000
acres distributed along approximately
75 miles of ocean-facing shoreline. The
purpose of the Seashore is to
permanently preserve the wild and
primitive character of the ever-changing
barrier islands, protect the diverse plant
and animal communities sustained by
coastal island processes, and provide for
recreational use and enjoyment that is
compatible with preserving the
distinctive natural and cultural
resources of the Nation’s first national
seashore.
Located within a day’s drive of
several urban centers, the Seashore is a
popular vacation destination that
receives approximately three million
visitors each year. Stretching about 75
miles from north to south, the Seashore
encompasses Bodie, Hatteras, and
Ocracoke islands, which are linked by
North Carolina Highway 12 (NC12) and
the Hatteras Inlet Ferry. Nine villages,
including Nags Head, Rodanthe, Waves,
Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras,
and Ocracoke, are located adjacent to or
within the Seashore. Popular visitor
activities include beachcombing,
swimming, fishing, hiking, camping,
and learning about the history and
natural features of the unique barrier
islands. Visitors can access the northern
entrance via roadways and the southern
entrance by ferry or air travel. The
Seashore encompasses a mix of land
uses with villages, residences,
commercial uses, tourist attractions, and
nationally important resources within
and adjacent to NPS-managed areas.
Bicycle Use in the Seashore
Bicycle use has occurred in the
Seashore for several decades. Bicycles
are allowed on roads and in parking
areas that are open to public motor
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vehicle traffic. Bicycle use is not
allowed on any trails or pathways
within the Seashore. Public roads and
parking areas that are open to traditional
bicycles are open to electric bicycles,
which are defined in NPS regulations as
two- or three-wheeled cycles with fully
operable pedals and electric motors of
not more than 750 watts that meet the
requirements of one of three classes. See
the definition of ‘‘electric bicycle’’ in 36
CFR 1.4(a).
New Multi-Use Pathway
Connectivity within and near the
Seashore is important for realizing one
purpose of the Seashore to provide
access and opportunities for the benefit
and enjoyment of visitors. The
Seashore’s 1984 General Management
Plan (GMP) recognized the need for a
‘‘bikeway’’ within the Seashore and
identified the area adjacent to
Lighthouse Road as an appropriate
location that would provide access from
NC12 and the village of Buxton to
popular visitor use areas within the
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse District.
Multiple modes of transportation use
the Lighthouse Road corridor. These
include passenger, recreational, and
camping vehicles, as well as pedestrians
and bicyclists, who either share the
paved road with motor vehicles or use
the grassy shoulders along the road.
Although the shoulders are wide
enough to physically accommodate
pedestrians and bicyclists for most of
Lighthouse Road, there is no designated
and safe pathway for these groups of
visitors.
In May 2022 the NPS initiated a 30day public scoping process to inform
the development of plans to construct a
multi-use, paved pathway adjacent to
Lighthouse Road, consistent with the
recommendation in the GMP. Following
the public scoping period, in February
2023 the NPS published the EA to
analyze the potential environmental
consequences of no-action and action
alternatives. Under the action
alternative, which is the NPS’s preferred
alternative, the NPS would construct a
10–12-foot-wide paved multi-use
pathway in two phases. The pathway
would be physically separated from but
adjacent to Lighthouse Road, and then
extend away from the road to the
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47863-47866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12239]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
33 CFR Parts 207 and 326
RIN 0710-AB54
Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is issuing this final
rule to adjust its civil monetary penalties (CMP) under the Rivers and
Harbors Appropriation Act of 1922 (RHA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and
the National Fishing Enhancement Act (NFEA) to account for inflation.
DATES: This final rule is effective on June 4, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the RHA portion, please contact
Mr. Joseph R. Wilson, 202-761-7697 or by email at
[email protected], or for the CWA and NFEA portion, please
contact Mr. Matt Wilson 202-761-5856 or by email at
[email protected] or access the Corps Regulatory Home
Page at https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act of 1990, Public Law 101-410, codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461,
note, as amended, requires agencies to annually adjust the level of CMP
for inflation to improve their effectiveness and maintain their
deterrent effect, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Adjustment
Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, sec. 701, November 2,
2015 (``Inflation Adjustment Act'').
With this rule, the new statutory maximum penalty levels listed in
Table 1 will apply to all statutory civil penalties assessed on or
after the effective date of this rule. Table 1 shows the calculation of
the 2024 annual inflation adjustment based on the guidance provided by
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (see December 19, 2023,
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies,
Subject: Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2024,
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015). The OMB provided to agencies the cost-of-
living adjustment multiplier for 2024, based on the Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the month of October 2023,
not seasonally adjusted, which is 1.03241. 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.'' For 2024, agencies multiply
each applicable penalty by the multiplier, 1.03241, and round to the
nearest dollar. The multiplier should be applied to the most recent
penalty amount, i.e., the one that includes the 2023 annual inflation
adjustment.
Table 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024
Civil Monetary 2023 CMP amount in Inflation CMP amount as of
Citation Penalty (CMP) amount effect prior to this adjustment June 4, 2024
established by law rulemaking multiplier
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1922 $2,500 per violation $6,756 per violation 1.03241 $6,975 per
(33 U.S.C. 555). violation.
CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A)..... $10,000 per $25,848 per 1.03241 $26,686 per
violation, with a violation, with a violation, with a
maximum of $25,000. maximum of $64,619. maximum of $66,713.
[[Page 47864]]
CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1344(s)(4)........ Maximum of $25,000 Maximum of $64,619 1.03241 Maximum of $66,713
per day for each per day for each per day for each
violation. violation. violation.
National Fishing Enhancement Act, Maximum of $10,000 Maximum of $28,304 1.03241 Maximum of $29,221
33 U.S.C. 2104(e). per violation. per violation. per violation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 4 of the Inflation Adjustment Act directs federal agencies
to publish annual penalty inflation adjustments. In accordance with
section 553 of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), many rules are
subject to notice and comment and are effective no earlier than 30 days
after publication in the Federal Register. Section 4(b)(2) of the
Inflation Adjustment Act further provides that each agency shall make
the annual inflation adjustments ``notwithstanding section 553'' of the
APA. According to the December 2023 OMB guidance issued to Federal
agencies on the implementation of the 2024 annual adjustment, the
phrase ``notwithstanding section 553'' means that, ``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.'' Consistent with
the language of the Inflation Adjustment Act and OMB's implementation
guidance, this rule is not subject to notice and opportunity for public
comment or a delay in effective date. This rule adjusts the value of
current statutory civil penalties to reflect and keep pace with the
levels originally set by Congress when the statutes were enacted, as
required by the Inflation Adjustment Act. This rule will apply
prospectively to penalty assessments beginning on the effective date of
this final rule.
Regulatory Procedures
Plain Language
In compliance with the principles in the President's Memorandum of
June 1, 1998, regarding plain language, this preamble is written using
plain language. The use of ``we'' in this notice refers to the Corps
and the use of ``you'' refers to the reader. We have also used the
active voice, short sentences, and common everyday terms except for
necessary technical terms.
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and
Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''
This rule is not designated a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866 and OMB determined this rule to not be
significant. Moreover, this final rule makes nondiscretionary
adjustments to existing CMP in accordance with the Inflation Adjustment
Act and OMB guidance. The Corps, therefore, did not consider
alternatives and does not have the flexibility to alter the adjustments
of the civil monetary penalty amounts as provided in this rule.
Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
The Department of Defense determined that provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, do not apply to
this rule because there are no new or revised recordkeeping or
reporting requirements. This action merely increases the level of
statutory civil penalties that could be imposed in the context of a
federal civil administrative enforcement action or civil judicial case
for violations of Corps-administered statutes and implementing
regulations.
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''
Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an
agency must meet when it promulgates a rule that imposes substantial
direct requirement costs on State and local governments, preempts State
law, or otherwise has Federalism implications. This final rule will not
have a substantial effect on State and local governments.
Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) certified that
this rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601, et seq.) because it would not, if promulgated, have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Because
notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act are inapplicable.
Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, does not require
the Corps to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. Chapter 25)
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (2
U.S.C. 1532) requires agencies to assess anticipated costs and benefits
before issuing any rule the mandates of which require spending in any
year of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation.
This rule will not mandate any requirements for State, local, or tribal
governments, nor will it affect private sector costs.
Public Law 104-113, ``National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
(15 U.S.C. Chapter 7)
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, (15 U.S.C. 272 note), directs
us to use voluntary consensus standards in our regulatory activities,
unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards
(e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and
business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary
consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs us to provide Congress,
through OMB, explanations when we decide not to use available and
applicable voluntary consensus standards. This rule does not involve
technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of any
voluntary consensus standards.
Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children From Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks''
Executive Order 13045 applies to any rule that: (1) is determined
to be ``economically significant'' as defined under Executive Order
12866, and (2) concerns an environmental health or
[[Page 47865]]
safety risk that we have reason to believe may have a disproportionate
effect on children. If the regulatory action meets both criteria, we
must evaluate the environmental health or safety effects of the rule on
children, and explain why the regulation is preferable to other
potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives. This rule
is not subject to this Executive Order because it is not economically
significant as defined in Executive Order 12866. In addition, it does
not concern an environmental or safety risk that we have reason to
believe may have a disproportionate effect on children.
Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments''
Executive Order 13175 requires agencies to develop an accountable
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.''
The phrase ``policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct
effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the
Federal government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian
tribes.'' This rule does not have tribal implications. The rule imposes
no new substantive obligations on tribal governments. Therefore,
Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
Public Law 104-121, ``Congressional Review Act,'' (5 U.S.C. Chapter 8)
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as amended by
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,
generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency
promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy
of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. We will submit a report containing this
rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House
of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States. A
major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in
the Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions To Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations''
Executive Order 12898 requires that, to the greatest extent
practicable and permitted by law, each Federal agency must make
achieving environmental justice part of its mission. Executive Order
12898 provides that each Federal agency conduct its programs, policies,
and activities that substantially affect human health or the
environment in a manner that ensures that such programs, policies, and
activities do not have the effect of excluding persons (including
populations) from participation in, denying persons (including
populations) the benefits of, or subjecting persons (including
populations) to discrimination under such programs, policies, and
activities because of their race, color, or national origin. This rule
merely adjusts civil penalties to account for inflation, and therefore,
is not expected to negatively impact any community, and therefore is
not expected to cause any disproportionately high and adverse impacts
to minority or low-income communities.
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use''
This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in
Executive Order 13211 because it is not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
List of Subjects
33 CFR Part 207
Navigation (water), Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, and Waterways.
33 CFR Part 326
Administrative practice and procedure, Intergovernmental relations,
Investigations, Law enforcement, Navigation (Water), Water pollution
control, and Waterways.
Approved by:
Michael L. Connor,
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works).
For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 33, chapter II, part
207 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 207--NAVIGATION REGULATIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 207 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1; 33 U.S.C. 555; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
2. Amend Sec. 207.800 by revising paragraph (c)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 207.800 Collection of navigation statistics.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) In addition, any person or entity that fails to provide timely,
accurate, and complete statements or reports required to be submitted
by the regulation in this section may also be assessed a civil penalty
of up to $6,975 per violation under 33 U.S.C. 555, as amended.
* * * * *
PART 326--ENFORCEMENT
0
3. The authority citation for part 326 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 1344; 33 U.S.C.
1413; 33 U.S.C. 2104; 33 U.S.C. 1319; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
4. Amend Sec. 326.6 by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 326.6 Class I administrative penalties.
(a) * * *
(1) This section sets forth procedures for initiation and
administration of Class I administrative penalty orders under Section
309(g) of the Clean Water Act, judicially-imposed civil penalties under
Section 404(s) of the Clean Water Act, and Section 205 of the National
Fishing Enhancement Act. Under Section 309(g)(2)(A) of the Clean Water
Act, Class I civil penalties may not exceed $26,686 per violation,
except that the maximum amount of any Class I civil penalty shall not
exceed $66,713. Under Section 404(s)(4) of the Clean Water Act,
judicially-imposed civil penalties may not exceed $66,713 per day for
each violation. Under Section 205(e) of the National Fishing
Enhancement Act, penalties for violations of permits issued in
accordance with that Act shall not exceed $29,211 for each violation.
[[Page 47866]]
Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory civil monetary
penalty amount for violations
Environmental statute and U.S. code that occurred after November 2,
citation 2015, and are assessed on or
after June 4, 2024
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clean Water Act (CWA), Section $26,686 per violation, with a
309(g)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(2)(A). maximum of $66,713.
CWA, Section 404(s)(4), 33 U.S.C. Maximum of $66,713 per day for
1344(s)(4). each violation.
National Fishing Enhancement Act, Maximum of $29,221 per
Section 205(e), 33 U.S.C. 2104(e). violation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2024-12239 Filed 6-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
