[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9349-9354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02417]



[[Page 9349]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846

[Docket ID: OSM-2016-0015; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 178S180110; S2D2S 
SS08011000 SX064A00 17XS501520]
RIN 1029-AC74


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 (the 2015 Act) and Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) guidance, this rule adjusts for inflation the level of 
civil monetary penalties assessed under the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).

DATES: This rule is effective on February 6, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kuhns, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, South Interior Building MS-203, 
1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 
208-2860. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015
    B. Calculation of Adjustments
    C. Effect of the Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian 
Lands
    D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs
II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866 and 13563)
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
    F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
    G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
    H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental 
Policy)
    I. Paperwork Reduction Act
    J. National Environmental Policy Act
    K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)
    L. Clarity of This Regulation
    M. Data Quality Act
    N. Administrative Procedure Act

I. Background

A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements 
Act of 2015

    Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of 
the Interior to assess civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for violations 
of SMCRA. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSMRE) regulations implementing the CMP provisions of section 518 are 
located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846. We are adjusting CMPs 
in four sections--30 CFR 723.14, 724.14, 845.14, and 846.14.
    On November 2, 2015, the President signed the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 
of Pub. L. 114-74) (``the 2015 Act'') into law. The 2015 Act requires 
that Federal agencies promulgate rules to adjust the level of civil 
monetary penalties (``CMPs'') to account for inflation. In addition to 
an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment through an interim final rulemaking 
that was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2016 (81 FR 
44535), which took effect on August 1, 2016, the 2015 Act also requires 
agencies to make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation. These 
adjustments are aimed at maintaining the deterrent effect of civil 
penalties and furthering the policy goals of the statutes which 
authorize them. Agencies are required to publish annual inflation 
adjustments in the Federal Register no later than January 15 of each 
year, starting with the second adjustments in 2017, and no later than 
January 15 each subsequent year. In accordance with the 2015 Act, for 
the second adjustments, and each annual adjustment thereafter, agencies 
must adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding section 553 of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553). The public procedure 
the APA 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 adjustment.
    Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, this rule adjusts the following 
civil penalties:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Current penalty    Adjusted penalty
               CFR citation                            Points                     ($)                 ($)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 723.14.............................  1...........................                 $63                 $64
                                            2...........................                 127                 129
                                            3...........................                 190                 193
                                            4...........................                 253                 257
                                            5...........................                 316                 321
                                            6...........................                 380                 386
                                            7...........................                 443                 450
                                            8...........................                 506                 514
                                            9...........................                 569                 578
                                            10..........................                 633                 643
                                            11..........................                 696                 707
                                            12..........................                 759                 771
                                            13..........................                 822                 835
                                            14..........................                 886                 900
                                            15..........................                 949                 965
                                            16..........................               1,012               1,029
                                            17..........................               1,075               1,093
                                            18..........................               1,139               1,158
                                            19..........................               1,202               1,222
                                            20..........................               1,265               1,286
                                            21..........................               1,328               1,350
                                            22..........................               1,392               1,415
                                            23..........................               1,455               1,479
                                            24..........................               1,518               1,543
                                            25..........................               1,581               1,607
                                            26..........................               1,898               1,929

[[Page 9350]]

 
                                            27..........................               2,214               2,250
                                            28..........................               2,530               2,571
                                            29..........................               2,725               2,770
                                            30..........................               3,163               3,215
                                            31..........................               3,479               3,536
                                            32..........................               3,795               3,857
                                            33..........................               4,112               4,179
                                            34..........................               4,428               4,500
                                            35..........................               4,744               4,822
                                            36..........................               5,060               5,143
                                            37..........................               5,377               5,465
                                            38..........................               5,693               5,786
                                            39..........................               6,009               6,107
                                            40..........................               6,325               6,428
                                            41..........................               6,642               6,751
                                            42..........................               6,958               7,072
                                            43..........................               7,274               7,393
                                            44..........................               7,591               7,715
                                            45..........................               7,907               8,036
                                            46..........................               8,223               8,358
                                            47..........................               8,539               8,679
                                            48..........................               8,856               9,001
                                            49..........................               9,172               9,322
                                            50..........................               9,488               9,643
                                            51..........................               9,804               9,964
                                            52..........................              10,121              10,287
                                            53..........................              10,437              10,608
                                            54..........................              10,753              10,929
                                            55..........................              11,070              11,251
                                            56..........................              11,386              11,572
                                            57..........................              11,702              11,893
                                            58..........................              12,018              12,215
                                            59..........................              12,335              12,537
                                            60..........................              12,651              12,858
                                            61..........................              12,967              13,179
                                            62..........................              13,284              13,501
                                            63..........................              13,600              13,823
                                            64..........................              13,916              14,144
                                            65..........................              14,232              14,465
                                            66..........................              14,549              14,787
                                            67..........................              14,865              15,108
                                            68..........................              15,181              15,429
                                            69..........................              15,497              15,751
                                            70..........................              15,814              16,073
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate    Maximum.....................               2,372               2,411
 violations for each day).
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual).............  Maximum.....................              17,395              16,073
30 CFR 845.14.............................  1...........................                  63                  64
                                            2...........................                 127                 129
                                            3...........................                 190                 193
                                            4...........................                 253                 257
                                            5...........................                 316                 321
                                            6...........................                 380                 386
                                            7...........................                 443                 450
                                            8...........................                 506                 514
                                            9...........................                 569                 578
                                            10..........................                 633                 643
                                            11..........................                 696                 707
                                            12..........................                 759                 771
                                            13..........................                 822                 835
                                            14..........................                 886                 900
                                            15..........................                 949                 965
                                            16..........................               1,012               1,029
                                            17..........................               1,075               1,093
                                            18..........................               1,139               1,158
                                            19..........................               1,202               1,222
                                            20..........................               1,265               1,286
                                            21..........................               1,328               1,350
                                            22..........................               1,392               1,415
                                            23..........................               1,455               1,479
                                            24..........................               1,518               1,543
                                            25..........................               1,581               1,607
                                            26..........................               1,898               1,929
                                            27..........................               2,214               2,250

[[Page 9351]]

 
                                            28..........................               2,530               2,571
                                            29..........................               2,725               2,770
                                            30..........................               3,163               3,215
                                            31..........................               3,479               3,536
                                            32..........................               3,795               3,857
                                            33..........................               4,112               4,179
                                            34..........................               4,428               4,500
                                            35..........................               4,744               4,822
                                            36..........................               5,060               5,143
                                            37..........................               5,377               5,465
                                            38..........................               5,693               5,786
                                            39..........................               6,009               6,107
                                            40..........................               6,325               6,428
                                            41..........................               6,642               6,751
                                            42..........................               6,958               7,072
                                            43..........................               7,274               7,393
                                            44..........................               7,591               7,715
                                            45..........................               7,907               8,036
                                            46..........................               8,223               8,358
                                            47..........................               8,539               8,679
                                            48..........................               8,856               9,001
                                            49..........................               9,172               9,322
                                            50..........................               9,488               9,643
                                            51..........................               9,804               9,964
                                            52..........................              10,121              10,287
                                            53..........................              10,437              10,608
                                            54..........................              10,753              10,929
                                            55..........................              11,070              11,251
                                            56..........................              11,386              11,572
                                            57..........................              11,702              11,893
                                            58..........................              12,018              12,215
                                            59..........................              12,335              12,537
                                            60..........................              12,651              12,858
                                            61..........................              12,967              13,179
                                            62..........................              13,284              13,501
                                            63..........................              13,600              13,823
                                            64..........................              13,916              14,144
                                            65..........................              14,232              14,465
                                            66..........................              14,549              14,787
                                            67..........................              14,865              15,108
                                            68..........................              15,181              15,429
                                            69..........................              15,497              15,751
                                            70..........................              15,814              16,073
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate    Maximum.....................               2,372               2,411
 violations for each day).
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual).............  Maximum.....................              17,395              16,073
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OSMRE miscalculated the existing $17,395 maximum individual civil 
penalty rates at Sec.  724.14(b) and Sec.  846.14(b) that it published 
in the Federal Register on July 8, 2016 (81 FR 44535), and which 
thereafter became effective on August 1, 2016. The value should have 
been $15,814, which is the same as the existing maximum civil penalties 
for permittees. Instances of assessing individual civil penalties are 
infrequent. Applying the 2017 cost-of-living multiplier of 1.01636 to 
the corrected value results in a new maximum individual civil penalty 
rate of $16,073 ($15,814 x 1.01636). The 2017 multiplier is based on 
the percent change between the Consumer Price Index for all Urban 
Consumers at two points in time, as explained more fully below in 
Calculation of Adjustments.

B. Calculation of Adjustments

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance on making 
the 2017 annual adjustments for inflation. See December 16, 2016, 
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, from 
Shaun Donovan, Director, Office of Management and Budget, re: 
Implementation of the 2017 annual adjustment pursuant to the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.
    The OMB guidance notes that the 2015 Act defines ``civil monetary 
penalty'' as ``any penalty, fine, or other sanction that . . . is for a 
specific monetary amount as provided by Federal law; or . . . has a 
maximum amount provided for by Federal law; and . . . is assessed or 
enforced by an agency pursuant to Federal law; and . . . is assessed or 
enforced pursuant to an administrative proceeding or a civil action in 
the Federal courts . . . .'' It further instructs that agencies ``are 
to adjust `the maximum civil monetary penalty or the range of minimum 
and maximum civil monetary penalties, as applicable, for each civil 
monetary penalty by the cost-of-living adjustment.' '' See December 16, 
2016 OMB memorandum. The 2015 Act and OMB guidance specify the amount 
of the annual inflation adjustments. The adjustments are based on the 
percent change between the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers 
(the CPI-U) published by the Department of Labor for the month of 
October in the year of the previous adjustment, and the October CPI-U 
for the year preceding that. The recent OMB guidance specified that the 
cost-of-living

[[Page 9352]]

adjustment multiplier for 2017, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.01636 
(the October 2016 CPI-U (241.729) divided by the October 2015 CPI-U 
(237.838) = 1.01636). OSMRE used this guidance to identify applicable 
civil monetary penalties and calculate the required inflation 
adjustments. The 2015 Act specifies that any resulting increases in a 
CMP must be rounded according to a stated rounding formula and that the 
increased CMPs apply only to violations that occur after the date the 
increase takes effect.
    Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a violation as described in 30 
CFR 723.13 and 845.13. The CMP owed is based on the number of points 
received, ranging from one point to seventy points. For example, under 
our existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 
points would amount to a $15,814 CMP. To adjust this amount, we 
multiply $15,814 by the 2017 inflation factor of 1.01636, resulting in 
a raw adjusted amount of $16,072.72. Because the 2015 Act requires us 
to round any increase in the CMP amount to the nearest dollar, in this 
case a violation of 70 points would amount to a new CMP of $16,073. 
Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the increases in this rule apply to civil 
penalties assessed after the date the increases take effect, even if 
the associated violation predates the applicable increase.

C. Effect of Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian Lands

    OSMRE directly regulates surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations within a State or on Tribal lands if the State or Tribe does 
not obtain its own approved program pursuant to section 503 of SMCRA. 
The increases in civil monetary penalties 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. The increase in civil 
monetary penalties also applies to Indian lands under the Federal 
program for Indian lands, which appears in 30 CFR 750.18.

D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs

    As a result of litigation, see In re Permanent Surface Mining 
Regulation Litigation, No. 79-1144, Mem. Op. (D.D.C. May 16, 1980), 19 
Env't Rep. Cas. (BNA) 1477, state regulatory programs are not required 
to mirror all of the penalty provisions of our regulations. Thus, this 
rule has no effect on CMPs in states with SMCRA primacy.

II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations

A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget will review 
all significant rules. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
has determined that this rule is not significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements, to the extent permitted by statute.

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) Does 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) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
Tribal governments, or the private sector of more than $100 million per 
year. The rule does not have a significant or unique effect on State, 
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. A statement 
containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.

E. Takings (E.O. 12630)

    This rule does not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have takings implications under Executive Order 12630. A takings 
implication assessment is not required.

F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. A federalism 
summary impact statement is not required.

G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be 
written to minimize litigation; and
    (b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental Policy)

    The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its 
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a 
commitment to consultation with Indian Tribes and recognition of their 
right to self-governance and tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this 
rule under the Department's consultation policy and under the criteria 
in Executive Order 13175 and have determined that it has no substantial 
direct effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes and that

[[Page 9353]]

consultation under the Department's tribal consultation policy is not 
required.

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements, and 
a submission to the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is not required. We may not 
conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

J. National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not 
required because the rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. This 
rule is excluded from the requirement to prepare a detailed statement 
because it is a regulation of an administrative nature. (For further 
information see 43 CFR 46.210(i).) We have also determined that the 
rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances listed in 
43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under NEPA.

K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not 
required.

L. Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 (section 1(b)(12)), 12988 
(section 3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 1(a)), and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:

    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use common, everyday words and clear language rather than 
jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.

    If you believe that we have not met these requirements in issuing 
this final rule, please contact the individual listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Your comments should be as 
specific as possible in order to help us determine whether any future 
revisions to the rule are necessary. For example, you should tell us 
the numbers of the sections or paragraphs that you find unclear, which 
sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists 
or tables would be useful, etc.

M. Data Quality Act

    In developing this rule, we did not conduct or use a study, 
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act 
(Pub. L. 106-554).

N. Administrative Procedure Act

    We are issuing this final rule without prior public notice or 
opportunity for public comment. Beginning in 2017, the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires 
agencies to publish adjusted penalties annually, no later than January 
15 of each year. Under the 2015 Act, the public procedure 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.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 723

    Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining, 
Underground mining.

30 CFR Part 724

    Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining, 
Underground mining.

30 CFR Part 845

    Administrative practice and procedure, Law enforcement, Penalties, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surface mining, Underground 
mining.

30 CFR Part 846

    Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Surface mining, 
Underground mining.

    Dated: January 27, 2017.
Richard T. Cardinale,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

0
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. Section 723.14 is amended by revising the table to read as follows:


Sec.  723.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Points                              Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..........................................................           64
2..........................................................          129
3..........................................................          193
4..........................................................          257
5..........................................................          321
6..........................................................          386
7..........................................................          450
8..........................................................          514
9..........................................................          578
10.........................................................          643
11.........................................................          707
12.........................................................          771
13.........................................................          835
14.........................................................          900
15.........................................................          965
16.........................................................        1,029
17.........................................................        1,093
18.........................................................        1,158
19.........................................................        1,222
20.........................................................        1,286
21.........................................................        1,350
22.........................................................        1,415
23.........................................................        1,479
24.........................................................        1,543
25.........................................................        1,607
26.........................................................        1,929
27.........................................................        2,250
28.........................................................        2,571
29.........................................................        2,770
30.........................................................        3,215
31.........................................................        3,536
32.........................................................        3,857
33.........................................................        4,179
34.........................................................        4,500
35.........................................................        4,822
36.........................................................        5,143
37.........................................................        5,465
38.........................................................        5,786
39.........................................................        6,107
40.........................................................        6,428
41.........................................................        6,751
42.........................................................        7,072
43.........................................................        7,393
44.........................................................        7,715
45.........................................................        8,036
46.........................................................        8,358
47.........................................................        8,679
48.........................................................        9,001
49.........................................................        9,322
50.........................................................        9,643
51.........................................................        9,964
52.........................................................       10,287
53.........................................................       10,608
54.........................................................       10,929
55.........................................................       11,251
56.........................................................       11,572
57.........................................................       11,893
58.........................................................       12,215
59.........................................................       12,537
60.........................................................       12,858
61.........................................................       13,179
62.........................................................       13,501
63.........................................................       13,823
64.........................................................       14,144
65.........................................................       14,465
66.........................................................       14,787
67.........................................................       15,108
68.........................................................       15,429
69.........................................................       15,751
70.........................................................       16,073
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 9354]]


0
3. Section 723.15 is amended by revising paragraph (b) introductory 
text to read as follows:


Sec.  723.15  Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,411 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. Section 724.14 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  724.14  Amount of individual civil penalty.

* * * * *
    (b) The penalty will not exceed $16,073 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. Section 845.14 is amended by revising the table to read as follows:


Sec.  845.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Points                              Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..........................................................           64
2..........................................................          129
3..........................................................          193
4..........................................................          257
5..........................................................          321
6..........................................................          386
7..........................................................          450
8..........................................................          514
9..........................................................          578
10.........................................................          643
11.........................................................          707
12.........................................................          771
13.........................................................          835
14.........................................................          900
15.........................................................          965
16.........................................................        1,029
17.........................................................        1,093
18.........................................................        1,158
19.........................................................        1,222
20.........................................................        1,286
21.........................................................        1,350
22.........................................................        1,415
23.........................................................        1,479
24.........................................................        1,543
25.........................................................        1,607
26.........................................................        1,929
27.........................................................        2,250
28.........................................................        2,571
29.........................................................        2,770
30.........................................................        3,215
31.........................................................        3,536
32.........................................................        3,857
33.........................................................        4,179
34.........................................................        4,500
35.........................................................        4,822
36.........................................................        5,143
37.........................................................        5,465
38.........................................................        5,786
39.........................................................        6,107
40.........................................................        6,428
41.........................................................        6,751
42.........................................................        7,072
43.........................................................        7,393
44.........................................................        7,715
45.........................................................        8,036
46.........................................................        8,358
47.........................................................        8,679
48.........................................................        9,001
49.........................................................        9,322
50.........................................................        9,643
51.........................................................        9,964
52.........................................................       10,287
53.........................................................       10,608
54.........................................................       10,929
55.........................................................       11,251
56.........................................................       11,572
57.........................................................       11,893
58.........................................................       12,215
59.........................................................       12,537
60.........................................................       12,858
61.........................................................       13,179
62.........................................................       13,501
63.........................................................       13,823
64.........................................................       14,144
65.........................................................       14,465
66.........................................................       14,787
67.........................................................       15,108
68.........................................................       15,429
69.........................................................       15,751
70.........................................................       16,073
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
8. Section 845.15 is amended by revising paragraph (b) introductory 
text to read as follows:


Sec.  845.15  Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,411 will be assessed for each day during which such 
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *

PART 846--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES

0
9. The authority citation for part 846 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and 31 
U.S.C. 3701.


0
10. Section 846.14 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  846.14  Amount of individual civil penalty.

* * * * *
    (b) The penalty will not exceed $16,073 for each violation. * * *

[FR Doc. 2017-02417 Filed 2-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-05-P