[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24330-24336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08371]


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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-AC84
[Docket ID: OSM 2023-0006; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 234S180110; 
S2D2SSS08011000 SX064A00 23XS501520]


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) and the 
implementing regulations.

DATES: Effective April 20, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Khalia A. Boyd, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558, 
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-2823. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015
    B. Calculation of Adjustments
    C. Effect of the Rule in Federal Program States and on Indian 
Lands
    D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs
II. Procedural Matters
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 
13563)
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

[[Page 24331]]

    C. Congressional Review Act
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Takings (Executive Order 12630)
    F. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
    G. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
    H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and 
Departmental Policy)
    I. Paperwork Reduction Act
    J. National Environmental Policy Act
    K. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (Executive 
Order 13211)
    L. Clarity of This Regulation
    M. Data Quality Act
    N. Administrative Procedure Act
    O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and 
Safety Risks (Executive Order 13045)

I. Background

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

    Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of 
the Interior to assess civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for violations 
of SMCRA. The Federal 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. 
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (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. These adjustments are aimed at maintaining the deterrent 
effect of civil penalties and furthering the policy goals of the 
statutes that authorize the penalties. Further, the 2015 Act provides 
that agencies must adjust civil monetary penalties ``notwithstanding 
section 553 of [the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)].'' Therefore, 
``the public procedure the APA generally requires--notice, an 
opportunity for comment, and a delay in effective date--is not required 
for agencies to issue regulations implementing the annual adjustment.'' 
December 15, 2022, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments 
and Agencies (M-23-05) from Shalanda D. Young, Office of Management and 
Budget, Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2023, 
Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum), at 3-4.
    Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, this final rule reflects the 
statutorily required CMP adjustments as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Points (where     Current penalty   Adjusted penalty
                      CFR citation                           applicable)       dollar amounts    dollar amounts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 723.14..........................................                   1                $73               $79
                                                                          2                148               159
                                                                          3                221               238
                                                                          4                294               317
                                                                          5                368               397
                                                                          6                442               476
                                                                          7                515               555
                                                                          8                586               631
                                                                          9                662               713
                                                                         10                736               793
                                                                         11                808               871
                                                                         12                883               951
                                                                         13                954             1,028
                                                                         14              1,029             1,109
                                                                         15              1,105             1,191
                                                                         16              1,177             1,268
                                                                         17              1,250             1,347
                                                                         18              1,326             1,429
                                                                         19              1,398             1,506
                                                                         20              1,471             1,585
                                                                         21              1,546             1,666
                                                                         22              1,619             1,744
                                                                         23              1,692             1,823
                                                                         24              1,764             1,901
                                                                         25              1,839             1,981
                                                                         26              2,207             2,378
                                                                         27              2,575             2,774
                                                                         28              2,940             3,168
                                                                         29              3,170             3,416
                                                                         30              3,678             3,963
                                                                         31              4,045             4,358
                                                                         32              4,414             4,756
                                                                         33              4,782             5,152
                                                                         34              5,150             5,549
                                                                         35              5,517             5,944
                                                                         36              5,885             6,341
                                                                         37              6,254             6,738
                                                                         38              6,621             7,134
                                                                         39              6,988             7,529
                                                                         40              7,355             7,925
                                                                         41              7,726             8,324

[[Page 24332]]

 
                                                                         42              8,092             8,719
                                                                         43              8,458             9,113
                                                                         44              8,827             9,511
                                                                         45              9,195             9,907
                                                                         46              9,563            10,304
                                                                         47              9,930            10,699
                                                                         48             10,299            11,097
                                                                         49             10,666            11,492
                                                                         50             11,033            11,888
                                                                         51             11,400            12,283
                                                                         52             11,770            12,682
                                                                         53             12,138            13,078
                                                                         54             12,506            13,475
                                                                         55             12,875            13,872
                                                                         56             13,242            14,268
                                                                         57             13,608            14,662
                                                                         58             13,976            15,058
                                                                         59             14,345            15,456
                                                                         60             14,712            15,851
                                                                         61             15,079            16,247
                                                                         62             15,448            16,644
                                                                         63             15,816            17,041
                                                                         64             16,184            17,437
                                                                         65             16,550            17,832
                                                                         66             16,920            18,230
                                                                         67             17,287            18,626
                                                                         68             17,654            19,021
                                                                         69             18,022            19,418
                                                                         70             18,391            19,815
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for  ..................              2,758             2,972
 each day).............................................
30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)..........  ..................             18,391            19,815
30 CFR 845.14..........................................                   1                 73                79
                                                                          2                148               159
                                                                          3                221               238
                                                                          4                294               317
                                                                          5                368               397
                                                                          6                442               476
                                                                          7                515               555
                                                                          8                586               631
                                                                          9                662               713
                                                                         10                736               793
                                                                         11                808               871
                                                                         12                883               951
                                                                         13                954             1,028
                                                                         14              1,029             1,109
                                                                         15              1,105             1,191
                                                                         16              1,177             1,268
                                                                         17              1,250             1,347
                                                                         18              1,326             1,429
                                                                         19              1,398             1,506
                                                                         20              1,471             1,585
                                                                         21              1,546             1,666
                                                                         22              1,619             1,744
                                                                         23              1,692             1,823
                                                                         24              1,764             1,901
                                                                         25              1,839             1,981
                                                                         26              2,207             2,378
                                                                         27              2,575             2,774
                                                                         28              2,940             3,168
                                                                         29              3,170             3,416
                                                                         30              3,678             3,963
                                                                         31              4,045             4,358
                                                                         32              4,414             4,756
                                                                         33              4,782             5,152
                                                                         34              5,150             5,549
                                                                         35              5,517             5,944
                                                                         36              5,885             6,341
                                                                         37              6,254             6,738
                                                                         38              6,621             7,134
                                                                         39              6,988             7,529
                                                                         40              7,355             7,925
                                                                         41              7,726             8,324
                                                                         42              8,092             8,719

[[Page 24333]]

 
                                                                         43              8,458             9,113
                                                                         44              8,827             9,511
                                                                         45              9,195             9,907
                                                                         46              9,563            10,304
                                                                         47              9,930            10,699
                                                                         48             10,299            11,097
                                                                         49             10,666            11,492
                                                                         50             11,033            11,888
                                                                         51             11,400            12,283
                                                                         52             11,770            12,682
                                                                         53             12,138            13,078
                                                                         54             12,506            13,475
                                                                         55             12,875            13,872
                                                                         56             13,242            14,268
                                                                         57             13,608            14,662
                                                                         58             13,976            15,058
                                                                         59             14,345            15,456
                                                                         60             14,712            15,851
                                                                         61             15,079            16,247
                                                                         62             15,448            16,644
                                                                         63             15,816            17,041
                                                                         64             16,184            17,437
                                                                         65             16,550            17,832
                                                                         66             16,920            18,230
                                                                         67             17,287            18,626
                                                                         68             17,654            19,021
                                                                         69             18,022            19,418
                                                                         70             18,391            19,815
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for  ..................              2,758             2,972
 each day).............................................
30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties)..........  ..................             18,391            19,815
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 2023 annual adjustments for inflation. 
See OMB Memorandum (December 15, 2022). The OMB Memorandum notes that 
the 1990 Act defines ``civil monetary penalty'' as ``any penalty, fine, 
or other sanction that . . . is for a specific monetary amount as 
provided by Federal law; or . . . has a maximum amount provided for by 
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced by an agency pursuant to 
Federal law; and . . . is assessed or enforced pursuant to an 
administrative proceeding or a civil action in the Federal courts . . . 
.'' Id. at 2. It further instructs that agencies ``are to adjust `the 
maximum civil monetary penalty or the range of minimum and maximum 
civil monetary penalties, as applicable, for each civil monetary 
penalty by the cost-of-living adjustment.' '' Id. The 1990 Act, as 
amended by the 2015 Act, and the OMB Memorandum specify that the annual 
inflation adjustments are based on the percent change between the 
Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (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 2023, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.07745 (the October 
2022 CPI-U (298.012) divided by the October 2021 CPI-U (276.589) = 
1.07745). OSMRE used this guidance to identify applicable CMPs and 
calculate the required inflation adjustments. The 1990 Act, as amended 
by the 2015 Act, specifies that any resulting increases in CMPs must be 
rounded according to a stated rounding formula and that the increased 
CMPs apply only to CMP assessments that occur after the date that the 
increases take effect.
    Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a violation as described in 30 
CFR 723.13 and 845.13. The CMP owed is based on the number of points 
received, ranging from one point to 70 points. For example, under our 
existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 points 
would amount to a $18,391 CMP. To adjust this amount, we multiply 
$18,391 by the 2022 inflation factor of 1.07745, resulting in a raw 
adjusted amount of $19,815.38. 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 $19,815. 
Pursuant to the 2015 Act, the increases in this Final Rule apply to 
CMPs assessed after the date the increases take effect, even if the 
associated violation predates the applicable increase.

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

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

[[Page 24334]]

D. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs

    As a result of litigation, State regulatory programs are not 
required to mirror all of the penalty provisions of our regulations. 
See In re Permanent Surface Mining Regul. Litig., No. 79-1144, 1980 
U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17722, at *21-23 (D.D.C. Feb. 26, 1980); 1980 U.S. 
Dist. LEXIS 17660, at *87-88 (D.D.C. May 16, 1980). Thus, this rule has 
no effect on CMPs in States with SMCRA primacy.

II. Procedural Matters

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

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

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

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

C. Congressional Review Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the 
Congressional Review 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 OMB 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 under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) because of the non-
discretionary nature of the civil penalty adjustment as required by law 
(see 40 CFR 1508.1(q)(1)(ii)). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires OSMRE to annually 
adjust the amounts of its civil penalties to account for inflation as 
measured by the Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index. 
Accordingly, OSMRE has no discretion in the execution of the civil 
penalty adjustments reflected in this final rule. Because this rule is 
not a major Federal action, it is therefore not subject to the 
requirements of NEPA. Even if this were a discretionary action subject 
to NEPA, which it is not, a detailed statement under NEPA would 
nevertheless not be required because, as a regulation of an 
administrative nature, this rule would otherwise be covered by a 
categorical exclusion (see 43 CFR 46.210(i)). OSMRE has determined that 
the rule does not implicate any of the extraordinary circumstances 
listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would prevent reliance on the categorical 
exclusion. Therefore, a detailed statement under NEPA is not required.

[[Page 24335]]

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

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

L. Clarity of This Regulation

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

M. Data Quality Act

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

N. Administrative Procedure Act

    We are issuing this final rule without prior public notice or 
opportunity for public comment. As discussed above, the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires 
agencies to publish adjusted penalties annually. Under the 2015 Act, 
the public procedure that the Administrative Procedure Act generally 
requires--notice, an opportunity for comment, and a delay in the 
effective date--is not required for agencies to issue regulations 
implementing the annual adjustments required by the 2015 Act. See OMB 
Memorandum, M-23-05, at 3-4.

O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) directs Federal agencies to use 
voluntary consensus standards when implementing regulatory activities 
unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical. This final rule is not subject to the requirements of 
section 12(d) of the NTTAA because application of those requirements 
would be inconsistent with SMCRA, and the requirements would not be 
applicable to this final rulemaking.

P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks (Executive Order 13045)

    Executive Order 13045 requires that environmental and related rules 
separately evaluate the potential impact to children. However, 
Executive Order 13045 is inapplicable to this rulemaking because this 
is not a substantive rulemaking, and a notice of proposed rulemaking 
was neither required nor prepared. See sections 2-202 and 5-501 of 
Executive Order 13045.

Delegation of Signing Authority

    The action taken herein is pursuant to an existing delegation of 
authority.

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.

Laura Daniel-Davis,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

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

PART 723--CIVIL PENALTIES

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

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


0
2. Revise table 1 to Sec.  723.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  723.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

                        Table 1 to Sec.   723.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................        79
2.............................................................       159
3.............................................................       238
4.............................................................       317
5.............................................................       397
6.............................................................       476
7.............................................................       555
8.............................................................       631
9.............................................................       713
10............................................................       793
11............................................................       871
12............................................................       951
13............................................................     1,028
14............................................................     1,109
15............................................................     1,191
16............................................................     1,268
17............................................................     1,347
18............................................................     1,429
19............................................................     1,506
20............................................................     1,585
21............................................................     1,666
22............................................................     1,744
23............................................................     1,823
24............................................................     1,901
25............................................................     1,981
26............................................................     2,378
27............................................................     2,774
28............................................................     3,168
29............................................................     3,416
30............................................................     3,963
31............................................................     4,358
32............................................................     4,756
33............................................................     5,152
34............................................................     5,549
35............................................................     5,944
36............................................................     6,341
37............................................................     6,738
38............................................................     7,134
39............................................................     7,529
40............................................................     7,925
41............................................................     8,324
42............................................................     8,719
43............................................................     9,113
44............................................................     9,511
45............................................................     9,907
46............................................................    10,304
47............................................................    10,699
48............................................................    11,097
49............................................................    11,492
50............................................................    11,888
51............................................................    12,283
52............................................................    12,682
53............................................................    13,078
54............................................................    13,475
55............................................................    13,872
56............................................................    14,268
57............................................................    14,662
58............................................................    15,058
59............................................................    15,456
60............................................................    15,851
61............................................................    16,247
62............................................................    16,644
63............................................................    17,041
64............................................................    17,437
65............................................................    17,832

[[Page 24336]]

 
66............................................................    18,230
67............................................................    18,626
68............................................................    19,021
69............................................................    19,418
70............................................................    19,815
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 $2,972 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 $19,815 for each violation. * * *

PART 845--CIVIL PENALTIES

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

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


0
7. Revise table 1 to Sec.  845.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  845.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

                        Table 1 to Sec.   845.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Points                               Dollars
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................        79
2.............................................................       159
3.............................................................       238
4.............................................................       317
5.............................................................       397
6.............................................................       476
7.............................................................       555
8.............................................................       631
9.............................................................       713
10............................................................       793
11............................................................       871
12............................................................       951
13............................................................     1,028
14............................................................     1,109
15............................................................     1,191
16............................................................     1,268
17............................................................     1,347
18............................................................     1,429
19............................................................     1,506
20............................................................     1,585
21............................................................     1,666
22............................................................     1,744
23............................................................     1,823
24............................................................     1,901
25............................................................     1,981
26............................................................     2,378
27............................................................     2,774
28............................................................     3,168
29............................................................     3,416
30............................................................     3,963
31............................................................     4,358
32............................................................     4,756
33............................................................     5,152
34............................................................     5,549
35............................................................     5,944
36............................................................     6,341
37............................................................     6,738
38............................................................     7,134
39............................................................     7,529
40............................................................     7,925
41............................................................     8,324
42............................................................     8,719
43............................................................     9,113
44............................................................     9,511
45............................................................     9,907
46............................................................    10,304
47............................................................    10,699
48............................................................    11,097
49............................................................    11,492
50............................................................    11,888
51............................................................    12,283
52............................................................    12,682
53............................................................    13,078
54............................................................    13,475
55............................................................    13,872
56............................................................    14,268
57............................................................    14,662
58............................................................    15,058
59............................................................    15,456
60............................................................    15,851
61............................................................    16,247
62............................................................    16,644
63............................................................    17,041
64............................................................    17,437
65............................................................    17,832
66............................................................    18,230
67............................................................    18,626
68............................................................    19,021
69............................................................    19,418
70............................................................    19,815
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 $2,972 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 $19,815 for each violation. * * *

[FR Doc. 2023-08371 Filed 4-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P