[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10611-10616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04909]



[[Page 10611]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846

RIN 1029-AC75
[Docket ID: OSM-2017-0012; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 189S180110; S2D2S 
SS08011000 SX064A00 18XS501520]


Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment 
Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which further amended the 
Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act), 
and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, this rule adjusts 
for inflation the level of civil monetary penalties assessed under the 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).

DATES: This rule is effective on March 12, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kuhns, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4550, 
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-2860. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015
    B. Calculation of Adjustments
    C. Effect of the Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian 
Lands
    D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs
II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866, 13563 and 13771)
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
    F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
    G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
    H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental 
Policy)
    I. Paperwork Reduction Act
    J. National Environmental Policy Act
    K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (E.O. 13211)
    L. Clarity of This Regulation
    M. Data Quality Act
    N. Administrative Procedure Act

I. Background

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

    Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of 
the Interior to assess civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for violations 
of SMCRA. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's 
(OSMRE) regulations implementing the CMP provisions of section 518 are 
located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846. We are adjusting CMPs 
in four sections--30 CFR 723.14, 724.14, 845.14, and 846.14.
    On November 2, 2015, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of Pub. L. 114-74) 
(2015 Act) became law. The 2015 Act, which further amended the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (codified as amended 
at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), requires Federal agencies to promulgate rules 
to adjust the level of CMPs to account for inflation. The 2015 Act 
required an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment. OSMRE published the 
initial adjustment in the Federal Register on July 8, 2016 (81 FR 
44535), and the adjustment took effect on August 1, 2016. The 2015 Act 
also requires agencies to publish annual inflation adjustments in the 
Federal Register no later than January 15 of each year. These 
adjustments are aimed at maintaining the deterrent effect of civil 
penalties and furthering the policy goals of the statutes that 
authorize the penalties. Further, the 2015 Act provides that agencies 
must adjust civil monetary penalties ``notwithstanding Section 553 of 
the Administrative Procedure Act.'' Therefore, the public procedure 
that the APA generally requires for rulemaking--notice, an opportunity 
for comment, and a delay in the effective date--is not required for 
agencies to issue regulations implementing the annual CMP adjustments. 
See December 15, 2017, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive 
Departments and Agencies (M-18-03), from Mick Mulvaney, Director, 
Office of Management and Budget, Implementation of Penalty Inflation 
Adjustments for 2018, Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum).
    Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, this final rule reflects the 
statutorily required CMP adjustments as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Current        Adjusted
                          CFR citation                             Points (where  penalty dollar  penalty dollar
                                                                    applicable)       amounts         amounts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 723.14...................................................               1             $64             $65
                                                                               2             129             132
                                                                               3             193             197
                                                                               4             257             262
                                                                               5             321             328
                                                                               6             386             394
                                                                               7             450             459
                                                                               8             514             524
                                                                               9             578             590
                                                                              10             643             656
                                                                              11             707             721
                                                                              12             771             787
                                                                              13             835             852
                                                                              14             900             918
                                                                              15             965             985
                                                                              16           1,029           1,050
                                                                              17           1,093           1,115
                                                                              18           1,158           1,182
                                                                              19           1,222           1,247

[[Page 10612]]

 
                                                                              20           1,286           1,312
                                                                              21           1,350           1,378
                                                                              22           1,415           1,444
                                                                              23           1,479           1,509
                                                                              24           1,543           1,574
                                                                              25           1,607           1,640
                                                                              26           1,929           1,968
                                                                              27           2,250           2,296
                                                                              28           2,571           2,623
                                                                              29           2,770           2,827
                                                                              30           3,215           3,281
                                                                              31           3,536           3,608
                                                                              32           3,857           3,936
                                                                              33           4,179           4,264
                                                                              34           4,500           4,592
                                                                              35           4,822           4,920
                                                                              36           5,143           5,248
                                                                              37           5,465           5,577
                                                                              38           5,786           5,904
                                                                              39           6,107           6,232
                                                                              40           6,428           6,559
                                                                              41           6,751           6,889
                                                                              42           7,072           7,216
                                                                              43           7,393           7,544
                                                                              44           7,715           7,872
                                                                              45           8,036           8,200
                                                                              46           8,358           8,529
                                                                              47           8,679           8,856
                                                                              48           9,001           9,185
                                                                              49           9,322           9,512
                                                                              50           9,643           9,840
                                                                              51           9,964          10,167
                                                                              52          10,287          10,497
                                                                              53          10,608          10,825
                                                                              54          10,929          11,152
                                                                              55          11,251          11,481
                                                                              56          11,572          11,808
                                                                              57          11,893          12,136
                                                                              58          12,215          12,464
                                                                              59          12,537          12,793
                                                                              60          12,858          13,120
                                                                              61          13,179          13,448
                                                                              62          13,501          13,777
                                                                              63          13,823          14,105
                                                                              64          14,144          14,433
                                                                              65          14,465          14,760
                                                                              66          14,787          15,089
                                                                              67          15,108          15,416
                                                                              68          15,429          15,744
                                                                              69          15,751          16,072
                                                                              70          16,073          16,401
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,411           2,460
 day)...........................................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)...................  ..............          16,073          16,401
30 CFR 845.14...................................................               1              64              65
                                                                               2             129             132
                                                                               3             193             197
                                                                               4             257             262
                                                                               5             321             328
                                                                               6             386             394
                                                                               7             450             459
                                                                               8             514             524
                                                                               9             578             590
                                                                              10             643             656
                                                                              11             707             721
                                                                              12             771             787
                                                                              13             835             852
                                                                              14             900             918
                                                                              15             965             985
                                                                              16           1,029           1,050
                                                                              17           1,093           1,115
                                                                              18           1,158           1,182

[[Page 10613]]

 
                                                                              19           1,222           1,247
                                                                              20           1,286           1,312
                                                                              21           1,350           1,378
                                                                              22           1,415           1,444
                                                                              23           1,479           1,509
                                                                              24           1,543           1,574
                                                                              25           1,607           1,640
                                                                              26           1,929           1,968
                                                                              27           2,250           2,296
                                                                              28           2,571           2,623
                                                                              29           2,770           2,827
                                                                              30           3,215           3,281
                                                                              31           3,536           3,608
                                                                              32           3,857           3,936
                                                                              33           4,179           4,264
                                                                              34           4,500           4,592
                                                                              35           4,822           4,920
                                                                              36           5,143           5,248
                                                                              37           5,465           5,577
                                                                              38           5,786           5,904
                                                                              39           6,107           6,232
                                                                              40           6,428           6,559
                                                                              41           6,751           6,889
                                                                              42           7,072           7,216
                                                                              43           7,393           7,544
                                                                              44           7,715           7,872
                                                                              45           8,036           8,200
                                                                              46           8,358           8,529
                                                                              47           8,679           8,856
                                                                              48           9,001           9,185
                                                                              49           9,322           9,512
                                                                              50           9,643           9,840
                                                                              51           9,964          10,167
                                                                              52          10,287          10,497
                                                                              53          10,608          10,825
                                                                              54          10,929          11,152
                                                                              55          11,251          11,481
                                                                              56          11,572          11,808
                                                                              57          11,893          12,136
                                                                              58          12,215          12,464
                                                                              59          12,537          12,793
                                                                              60          12,858          13,120
                                                                              61          13,179          13,448
                                                                              62          13,501          13,777
                                                                              63          13,823          14,105
                                                                              64          14,144          14,433
                                                                              65          14,465          14,760
                                                                              66          14,787          15,089
                                                                              67          15,108          15,416
                                                                              68          15,429          15,744
                                                                              69          15,751          16,072
                                                                              70          16,073          16,401
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,411           2,460
 day)...........................................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)...................  ..............          16,073          16,401
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the chart above, there are no numbers listed in the ``Points'' 
column relative to 30 CFR 723.15(b), 30 CFR 724.14(b), 30 CFR 
845.15(b), and 30 CFR 846.14(b) because those regulatory provisions do 
not set forth numbers of points. For those provisions, the current 
regulations only set forth the dollar amounts shown in the chart in the 
``Current Penalty Dollar Amounts'' column; the adjusted amounts, which 
we are adopting in this rule, are shown in the ``Adjusted Penalty 
Dollar Amounts'' column.

B. Calculation of Adjustments

    OMB issued guidance on the 2018 annual adjustments for inflation. 
See OMB Memorandum (December 15, 2017). The OMB Memorandum notes that 
the 1990 Act defines ``civil monetary penalty'' as ``any penalty, fine, 
or other sanction that . . . is for a specific monetary amount as 
provided by Federal law; or . . . has a maximum amount provided for by 
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced by an agency pursuant to 
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced pursuant to an 
administrative proceeding or a civil action in the Federal courts . . . 
.'' It further instructs that agencies ``are to adjust `the maximum 
civil monetary penalty or the range of minimum and maximum civil 
monetary penalties, as applicable, for each civil monetary penalty by 
the cost-of-living adjustment.' '' See December 15, 2017

[[Page 10614]]

OMB Memorandum. The 1990 Act and the OMB Memorandum specify that the 
annual inflation adjustments are based on the percent change between 
the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (the CPI-U) published 
by the Department of Labor for the month of October in the year of the 
previous adjustment, and the October CPI-U for the preceding year. The 
recent OMB Memorandum specified that the cost-of-living adjustment 
multiplier for 2018, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.02041 (the October 
2017 CPI-U (246.663) divided by the October 2016 CPI-U (241.729) = 
1.02041). OSMRE used this guidance to identify applicable CMPs and 
calculate the required inflation adjustments. The 1990 Act specifies 
that any resulting increases in CMPs must be rounded according to a 
stated rounding formula and that the increased CMPs apply only to 
violations that occur after the date the increase takes effect.
    Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a violation as described in 30 
CFR 723.13 and 845.13. The CMP owed is based on the number of points 
received, ranging from one point to seventy points. For example, under 
our existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 
points would amount to a $16,073 CMP. To adjust this amount, we 
multiply $16,073 by the 2018 inflation factor of 1.02041, resulting in 
a raw adjusted amount of $16,401.05. Because the 2015 Act requires us 
to round any increase in the CMP amount to the nearest dollar, in this 
case a violation of 70 points would amount to a new CMP of $16,401. 
Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the increases in this Final Rule apply to 
CMPs assessed after the date the increases take effect, even if the 
associated violation predates the applicable increase.

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

    OSMRE directly regulates surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations within a State or on tribal lands if the State or tribe does 
not obtain its own approved program pursuant to section 503 of SMCRA, 
30 U.S.C. 1253. The increases in CMPs contained in this rule will apply 
to the following Federal program states: Arizona, California, Georgia, 
Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, 
South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. The Federal programs for those 
States appear at 30 CFR parts 903, 905, 910, 912, 921, 922, 933, 937, 
939, 941, 942, and 947, respectively. Under 30 CFR 750.18, the increase 
in CMPs also applies to Indian lands under the Federal program for 
Indian lands.

D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs

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

II. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations

A. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 
13771)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management 
and Budget will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that 
agency regulations exclusively implementing the annual inflation 
adjustments are not significant, provided they are consistent with the 
OMB Memorandum.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements, to the extent permitted by statute.
    E.O. 13771 of January 30, 2017, directs Federal agencies to reduce 
the regulatory burden on regulated entities and control regulatory 
costs. E.O. 13771, however, applies only to significant regulatory 
actions, as defined in Section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. As mentioned above, 
OIRA has determined that agency regulations exclusively implementing 
the annual adjustment are not significant regulatory actions under E.O. 
12866, provided they are consistent with the OMB Memorandum (see OMB 
Memorandum, M-18-03, at 3). Thus, E.O. 13771 does not apply to this 
rulemaking.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires an agency to prepare 
a regulatory flexibility analysis for all rules unless the agency 
certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only to rules 
for which an agency is required to first publish a proposed rule. See 5 
U.S.C. 603(a) and 604(a). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires agencies to adjust 
civil penalties annually for inflation ``. . . notwithstanding Section 
553 [of the Administrative Procedure Act].'' Thus, no proposed rule 
will be published, and the RFA does not apply to this rulemaking.

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    (a) Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more.
    (b) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    (c) Will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

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

E. Takings (E.O. 12630)

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

F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)

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

[[Page 10615]]

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

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

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

    The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its 
government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes through a 
commitment to consultation with Indian tribes and recognition of their 
right to self-governance and tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this 
rule under the Department's consultation policy, under Departmental 
Manual Part 512, Chapters 4 and 5, and under the criteria in Executive 
Order 13175 and have determined that it has no substantial direct 
effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations, and that consultation under the 
Department's tribal consultation policy is not required.

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

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

J. National Environmental Policy Act

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

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

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

L. Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 (section 1(b)(12)), 12988 
(section 3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 1(a)), and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use common, everyday words and clear language rather than 
jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you believe that we have not met these requirements in issuing 
this final rule, please contact the individual listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Your comments should be as 
specific as possible in order to help us determine whether any future 
revisions to the rule are necessary. For example, you should tell us 
the numbers of the sections or paragraphs that you find unclear, which 
sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists 
or tables would be useful, etc.

M. Data Quality Act

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

N. Administrative Procedure Act

    We are issuing this final rule without prior public notice or 
opportunity for public comment. As discussed above, the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires 
agencies to publish adjusted penalties annually. Under the 2015 Act, 
the public procedure that the Administrative Procedure Act generally 
requires--notice, an opportunity for comment, and a delay in the 
effective date--is not required for agencies to issue regulations 
implementing the annual adjustments required by the 2015 Act. See OMB 
Memorandum, M-18-03, at 4.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 723

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

30 CFR Part 724

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

30 CFR Part 845

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

30 CFR Part 846

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

    Dated: February 21, 2018.
Joseph R. Balash,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

    For the reasons given in the preamble, the Department of the 
Interior amends 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846 as set forth below.

PART 723--CIVIL PENALTIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 723 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. In Sec.  723.14, revise the table to read as follows:


Sec.  723.14   Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................              65
2.......................................................             132
3.......................................................             197
4.......................................................             262
5.......................................................             328
6.......................................................             394
7.......................................................             459
8.......................................................             524
9.......................................................             590
10......................................................             656
11......................................................             721
12......................................................             787
13......................................................             852
14......................................................             918
15......................................................             985
16......................................................           1,050
17......................................................           1,115
18......................................................           1,182
19......................................................           1,247
20......................................................           1,312
21......................................................           1,378
22......................................................           1,444
23......................................................           1,509
24......................................................           1,574
25......................................................           1,640
26......................................................           1,968
27......................................................           2,296
28......................................................           2,623
29......................................................           2,827
30......................................................           3,281
31......................................................           3,608

[[Page 10616]]

 
32......................................................           3,936
33......................................................           4,264
34......................................................           4,592
35......................................................           4,920
36......................................................           5,248
37......................................................           5,577
38......................................................           5,904
39......................................................           6,232
40......................................................           6,559
41......................................................           6,889
42......................................................           7,216
43......................................................           7,544
44......................................................           7,872
45......................................................           8,200
46......................................................           8,529
47......................................................           8,856
48......................................................           9,185
49......................................................           9,512
50......................................................           9,840
51......................................................          10,167
52......................................................          10,497
53......................................................          10,825
54......................................................          11,152
55......................................................          11,481
56......................................................          11,808
57......................................................          12,136
58......................................................          12,464
59......................................................          12,793
60......................................................          13,120
61......................................................          13,448
62......................................................          13,777
63......................................................          14,105
64......................................................          14,433
65......................................................          14,760
66......................................................          15,089
67......................................................          15,416
68......................................................          15,744
69......................................................          16,072
70......................................................          16,401
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
3. In Sec.  723.15, revise paragraph (b) introductory text to read as 
follows:


Sec.  723.15   Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,460 will be assessed for each day during which such 
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *

PART 724--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES

0
4. The authority citation for part 724 continues to read as follows:

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

0
5. In Sec.  724.14, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  724.14  Amount of individual civil penalty.

* * * * *
    (b) The penalty will not exceed $16,401 for each violation. * * *

PART 845--CIVIL PENALTIES

0
6. The authority citation for part 845 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  28 U.S.C. 2461, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., 31 U.S.C. 
3701, Pub. L. 100-202, and Pub. L. 100-446.


0
7. In Sec.  845.14, revise the table to read as follows:


Sec.  845.14   Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................              65
2.......................................................             132
3.......................................................             197
4.......................................................             262
5.......................................................             328
6.......................................................             394
7.......................................................             459
8.......................................................             524
9.......................................................             590
10......................................................             656
11......................................................             721
12......................................................             787
13......................................................             852
14......................................................             918
15......................................................             985
16......................................................           1,050
17......................................................           1,115
18......................................................           1,182
19......................................................           1,247
20......................................................           1,312
21......................................................           1,378
22......................................................           1,444
23......................................................           1,509
24......................................................           1,574
25......................................................           1,640
26......................................................           1,968
27......................................................           2,296
28......................................................           2,623
29......................................................           2,827
30......................................................           3,281
31......................................................           3,608
32......................................................           3,936
33......................................................           4,264
34......................................................           4,592
35......................................................           4,920
36......................................................           5,248
37......................................................           5,577
38......................................................           5,904
39......................................................           6,232
40......................................................           6,559
41......................................................           6,889
42......................................................           7,216
43......................................................           7,544
44......................................................           7,872
45......................................................           8,200
46......................................................           8,529
47......................................................           8,856
48......................................................           9,185
49......................................................           9,512
50......................................................           9,840
51......................................................          10,167
52......................................................          10,497
53......................................................          10,825
54......................................................          11,152
55......................................................          11,481
56......................................................          11,808
57......................................................          12,136
58......................................................          12,464
59......................................................          12,793
60......................................................          13,120
61......................................................          13,448
62......................................................          13,777
63......................................................          14,105
64......................................................          14,433
65......................................................          14,760
66......................................................          15,089
67......................................................          15,416
68......................................................          15,744
69......................................................          16,072
70......................................................          16,401
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
8. In Sec.  845.15, revise paragraph (b) introductory text to read as 
follows:


Sec.  845.15   Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,460 will be assessed for each day during which such 
failure to abate continues, except that:
* * * * *

PART 846--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES

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

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


0
10. In Sec.  846.14, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  846.14  Amount of individual civil penalty.

* * * * *
    (b) The penalty will not exceed $16,401 for each violation. * * *

[FR Doc. 2018-04909 Filed 3-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-05-P