[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 15, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20830-20836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07390]


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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-AC78
[Docket ID: OSM-2019-0015; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 201S180110; S2D2S 
SS08011000 SX064A00 20XS501520]


Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: Effective April 15, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Vello, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4550, 
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-1908. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

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

I. Background

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

    Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of 
the Interior to assess civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for violations 
of SMCRA. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's 
(OSMRE) regulations implementing the CMP provisions of section 518 are 
located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846. We are adjusting CMPs 
in six sections--30 CFR 723.14, 723.15, 724.14, 845.14, 845.15, and 
846.14.
    On November 2, 2015, the President signed the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 
of Pub. L. 114-74) (2015 Act) into law. The 2015 Act, which further 
amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 
(codified as amended at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), requires Federal agencies 
to promulgate rules to adjust the level of CMPs to account for 
inflation. The 2015 Act required an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment. 
OSMRE published the initial adjustment in the Federal Register on July 
8, 2016 (81 FR 44535), and the adjustment took effect on August 1, 
2016. The 2015 Act also requires agencies to publish annual inflation 
adjustments in the Federal Register no later than January 15 of each 
year. These adjustments are aimed at maintaining the deterrent effect 
of civil penalties and furthering the policy goals of the statutes that 
authorize the penalties. Further, the 2015 Act provides that agencies 
must adjust civil monetary penalties ``notwithstanding section 553 of 
[the Administrative Procedure Act].'' Therefore, the public procedure 
that the Administrative Procedure Act 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 also December 16, 2019, 
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and

[[Page 20831]]

Agencies (M-20-05), from Russell T. Vought, Acting Director, Office of 
Management and Budget, Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments 
for 2020, 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             $67             $68
                                                                               2             135             137
                                                                               3             202             206
                                                                               4             269             274
                                                                               5             336             342
                                                                               6             404             411
                                                                               7             471             479
                                                                               8             537             546
                                                                               9             605             616
                                                                              10             673             685
                                                                              11             739             752
                                                                              12             807             821
                                                                              13             873             888
                                                                              14             941             958
                                                                              15           1,010           1,028
                                                                              16           1,076           1,095
                                                                              17           1,143           1,163
                                                                              18           1,212           1,233
                                                                              19           1,278           1,301
                                                                              20           1,345           1,369
                                                                              21           1,413           1,438
                                                                              22           1,480           1,506
                                                                              23           1,547           1,574
                                                                              24           1,614           1,642
                                                                              25           1,681           1,711
                                                                              26           2,018           2,054
                                                                              27           2,354           2,396
                                                                              28           2,689           2,736
                                                                              29           2,898           2,949
                                                                              30           3,364           3,423
                                                                              31           3,699           3,764
                                                                              32           4,035           4,106
                                                                              33           4,372           4,449
                                                                              34           4,708           4,791
                                                                              35           5,044           5,133
                                                                              36           5,380           5,475
                                                                              37           5,718           5,819
                                                                              38           6,053           6,160
                                                                              39           6,389           6,502
                                                                              40           6,724           6,843
                                                                              41           7,063           7,188
                                                                              42           7,398           7,529
                                                                              43           7,734           7,870
                                                                              44           8,071           8,213
                                                                              45           8,407           8,555
                                                                              46           8,744           8,898
                                                                              47           9,079           9,239
                                                                              48           9,417           9,583
                                                                              49           9,752           9,924
                                                                              50          10,088          10,266
                                                                              51          10,423          10,607
                                                                              52          10,762          10,952
                                                                              53          11,098          11,294
                                                                              54          11,433          11,635
                                                                              55          11,771          11,979
                                                                              56          12,106          12,320
                                                                              57          12,442          12,661
                                                                              58          12,778          13,003
                                                                              59          13,116          13,347
                                                                              60          13,451          13,688
                                                                              61          13,787          14,030
                                                                              62          14,124          14,373
                                                                              63          14,461          14,716
                                                                              64          14,797          15,058
                                                                              65          15,132          15,399
                                                                              66          15,470          15,743
                                                                              67          15,805          16,084

[[Page 20832]]

 
                                                                              68          16,141          16,426
                                                                              69          16,477          16,768
                                                                              70          16,815          17,112
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,522           2,566
 day)...........................................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)...................  ..............          16,815          17,112
30 CFR 845.14...................................................               1              67              68
                                                                               2             135             137
                                                                               3             202             206
                                                                               4             269             274
                                                                               5             336             342
                                                                               6             404             411
                                                                               7             471             479
                                                                               8             537             546
                                                                               9             605             616
                                                                              10             673             685
                                                                              11             739             752
                                                                              12             807             821
                                                                              13             873             888
                                                                              14             941             958
                                                                              15           1,010           1,028
                                                                              16           1,076           1,095
                                                                              17           1,143           1,163
                                                                              18           1,212           1,233
                                                                              19           1,278           1,301
                                                                              20           1,345           1,369
                                                                              21           1,413           1,438
                                                                              22           1,480           1,506
                                                                              23           1,547           1,574
                                                                              24           1,614           1,642
                                                                              25           1,681           1,711
                                                                              26           2,018           2,054
                                                                              27           2,354           2,396
                                                                              28           2,689           2,736
                                                                              29           2,898           2,949
                                                                              30           3,364           3,423
                                                                              31           3,699           3,764
                                                                              32           4,035           4,106
                                                                              33           4,372           4,449
                                                                              34           4,708           4,791
                                                                              35           5,044           5,133
                                                                              36           5,380           5,475
                                                                              37           5,718           5,819
                                                                              38           6,053           6,160
                                                                              39           6,389           6,502
                                                                              40           6,724           6,843
                                                                              41           7,063           7,188
                                                                              42           7,398           7,529
                                                                              43           7,734           7,870
                                                                              44           8,071           8,213
                                                                              45           8,407           8,555
                                                                              46           8,744           8,898
                                                                              47           9,079           9,239
                                                                              48           9,417           9,583
                                                                              49           9,752           9,924
                                                                              50          10,088          10,266
                                                                              51          10,423          10,607
                                                                              52          10,762          10,952
                                                                              53          11,098          11,294
                                                                              54          11,433          11,635
                                                                              55          11,771          11,979
                                                                              56          12,106          12,320
                                                                              57          12,442          12,661
                                                                              58          12,778          13,003
                                                                              59          13,116          13,347
                                                                              60          13,451          13,688
                                                                              61          13,787          14,030
                                                                              62          14,124          14,373
                                                                              63          14,461          14,716
                                                                              64          14,797          15,058
                                                                              65          15,132          15,399
                                                                              66          15,470          15,743
                                                                              67          15,805          16,084

[[Page 20833]]

 
                                                                              68          16,141          16,426
                                                                              69          16,477          16,768
                                                                              70          16,815          17,112
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,522           2,566
 day)...........................................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)...................  ..............          16,815          17,112
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 2020 annual adjustments for inflation. 
See OMB Memorandum (December 16, 2019). 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 16, 2019 OMB 
Memorandum. The 1990 Act, as amended by the 2015 Act, and the OMB 
Memorandum specify that the annual inflation adjustments are based on 
the percent change between the Consumer Price Index for all Urban 
Consumers (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 2020, not 
seasonally adjusted, is 1.01764 (the October 2019 CPI-U (257.346) 
divided by the October 2018 CPI-U (252.885) = 1.01764). OSMRE used this 
guidance to identify applicable CMPs and calculate the required 
inflation adjustments. The 1990 Act, as amended by the 2015 Act, 
specifies that any resulting increases in CMPs must be rounded 
according to a stated rounding formula and that the increased CMPs 
apply only to 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 70 points. For example, under our 
existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 points 
would amount to a $16,815 CMP. To adjust this amount, we multiply 
$16,815 by the 2020 inflation factor of 1.01764, resulting in a raw 
adjusted amount of $17,111.62. 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 $17,112. 
Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the increases in this final rule apply to 
CMPs assessed after the date the increases take effect, even if the 
associated violation predates the applicable increase.

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

    OSMRE directly regulates surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations within a State or on Tribal lands if the State or Tribe does 
not obtain its own approved program pursuant to sections 503 or 710(j) 
of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1253 or 1300(j). The increases in CMPs contained in 
this rule will apply to the following Federal program States: Arizona, 
California, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, 
Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. The 
Federal programs for those States appear at 30 CFR parts 903, 905, 910, 
912, 921, 922, 933, 937, 939, 941, 942, and 947, respectively. Under 30 
CFR 750.18, the 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

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

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget will 
review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that agency 
regulations exclusively implementing the annual inflation adjustments 
are not significant, provided they are consistent with the OMB 
Memorandum. Because this final rule exclusively implements the annual 
inflation adjustments, is consistent with the OMB Memorandum, and will 
have an annual impact of less than $100 million, it is not significant 
under Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of Executive Order 
12866 while calling for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system 
to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, 
most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory 
ends. The Executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory 
approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of 
choice for the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, 
and consistent with regulatory objectives. Executive Order 13563 
emphasizes further that regulations must be based on the best available 
science and that the rulemaking process must allow for public 
participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have developed this 
rule in a manner consistent with these requirements, to the extent 
permitted by statute.
    Executive Order 13771 of January 30, 2017, directs Federal agencies 
to reduce the regulatory burden on regulated entities and control 
regulatory costs. Executive Order 13771, however, applies only to 
significant regulatory actions, as defined in Section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866. As mentioned

[[Page 20834]]

above, OIRA has determined that agency regulations exclusively 
implementing the annual adjustments are generally not significant 
regulatory actions under Executive Order 12866, provided they are 
consistent with the OMB Memorandum (see OMB Memorandum, M-20-05, at 3) 
and have an annual impact of less than $100 million. Because this final 
rule exclusively implements the annual adjustments, is consistent with 
the OMB Memorandum, and will have an annual impact less than $100 
million, Executive Order 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 
United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

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

E. Takings (Executive Order 12630)

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

F. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

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

G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

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

H. Consultation with Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and 
Departmental Policy)

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

I. Paperwork Reduction Act

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

J. National Environmental Policy Act

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

K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (Executive Order 
13211)

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

L. Clarity of This Regulation

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

M. Data Quality Act

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

N. Administrative Procedure Act

    We are issuing this final rule without prior public notice or 
opportunity for public comment. As discussed above, the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation

[[Page 20835]]

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-20-05, 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.

Casey Hammond,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

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

PART 723--CIVIL PENALTIES

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

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


0
2. Revise the table in Sec.  723.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  723.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................................                68
2.....................................................               137
3.....................................................               206
4.....................................................               274
5.....................................................               342
6.....................................................               411
7.....................................................               479
8.....................................................               546
9.....................................................               616
10....................................................               685
11....................................................               752
12....................................................               821
13....................................................               888
14....................................................               958
15....................................................             1,028
16....................................................             1,095
17....................................................             1,163
18....................................................             1,233
19....................................................             1,301
20....................................................             1,369
21....................................................             1,438
22....................................................             1,506
23....................................................             1,574
24....................................................             1,642
25....................................................             1,711
26....................................................             2,054
27....................................................             2,396
28....................................................             2,736
29....................................................             2,949
30....................................................             3,423
31....................................................             3,764
32....................................................             4,106
33....................................................             4,449
34....................................................             4,791
35....................................................             5,133
36....................................................             5,475
37....................................................             5,819
38....................................................             6,160
39....................................................             6,502
40....................................................             6,843
41....................................................             7,188
42....................................................             7,529
43....................................................             7,870
44....................................................             8,213
45....................................................             8,555
46....................................................             8,898
47....................................................             9,239
48....................................................             9,583
49....................................................             9,924
50....................................................            10,266
51....................................................            10,607
52....................................................            10,952
53....................................................            11,294
54....................................................            11,635
55....................................................            11,979
56....................................................            12,320
57....................................................            12,661
58....................................................            13,003
59....................................................            13,347
60....................................................            13,688
61....................................................            14,030
62....................................................            14,373
63....................................................            14,716
64....................................................            15,058
65....................................................            15,399
66....................................................            15,743
67....................................................            16,084
68....................................................            16,426
69....................................................            16,768
70....................................................            17,112
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


Sec.  723.15  Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,566 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 $17,112 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.


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7. Revise the table in Sec.  845.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  845.14   Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.....................................................                68
2.....................................................               137
3.....................................................               206
4.....................................................               274
5.....................................................               342
6.....................................................               411
7.....................................................               479
8.....................................................               546
9.....................................................               616
10....................................................               685
11....................................................               752
12....................................................               821
13....................................................               888
14....................................................               958
15....................................................             1,028
16....................................................             1,095
17....................................................             1,163
18....................................................             1,233
19....................................................             1,301
20....................................................             1,369
21....................................................             1,438
22....................................................             1,506
23....................................................             1,574
24....................................................             1,642
25....................................................             1,711
26....................................................             2,054
27....................................................             2,396
28....................................................             2,736
29....................................................             2,949
30....................................................             3,423
31....................................................             3,764
32....................................................             4,106
33....................................................             4,449
34....................................................             4,791

[[Page 20836]]

 
35....................................................             5,133
36....................................................             5,475
37....................................................             5,819
38....................................................             6,160
39....................................................             6,502
40....................................................             6,843
41....................................................             7,188
42....................................................             7,529
43....................................................             7,870
44....................................................             8,213
45....................................................             8,555
46....................................................             8,898
47....................................................             9,239
48....................................................             9,583
49....................................................             9,924
50....................................................            10,266
51....................................................            10,607
52....................................................            10,952
53....................................................            11,294
54....................................................            11,635
55....................................................            11,979
56....................................................            12,320
57....................................................            12,661
58....................................................            13,003
59....................................................            13,347
60....................................................            13,688
61....................................................            14,030
62....................................................            14,373
63....................................................            14,716
64....................................................            15,058
65....................................................            15,399
66....................................................            15,743
67....................................................            16,084
68....................................................            16,426
69....................................................            16,768
70....................................................            17,112
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


Sec.  845.15   Assessment of separate violations for each day.

* * * * *
    (b) In addition to the civil penalty provided for in paragraph (a) 
of this section, whenever a violation contained in a notice of 
violation or cessation order has not been abated within the abatement 
period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended pursuant 
to section 521(a) of the Act, 30 U.S.C. 1271(a), a civil penalty of not 
less than $2,566 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 $17,112 for each violation. * * *

[FR Doc. 2020-07390 Filed 4-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P