Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 29509 

Executive Order 13175, Consultation 

and Coordination With Indian Tribal 

Governments 

This rule does not have tribal 

implications warranting the application 

of E.O. 13175. It does not have 

substantial direct effects on one or more 

Indian tribes, on the relationship 

between the Federal government and 

Indian tribes, or on the distribution of 

power and responsibilities between the 

Federal government and Indian tribes. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 

(5 U.S.C. 601–612) applies to rules that 

are subject to notice and comment 

under section 553(b) of the APA. As 

noted in the above discussion regarding 

the applicability of the APA, DEA was 

not required to publish a general notice 

of proposed rulemaking. Consequently, 

the RFA does not apply. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

In accordance with the Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995, 

2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., DEA has 

determined that this action would not 

result in any Federal mandate that may 

result ‘‘in the expenditure by State, 

local, and tribal governments, in the 

aggregate, or by the private sector, of 

$100,000,000 or more (adjusted 

annually for inflation) in any 1 year.’’ 

Therefore, neither a Small Government 

Agency Plan nor any other action is 

required under UMRA of 1995. 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

This action does not impose a new 

collection of information requirement 

under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 

1995. 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521. This action 

would not impose recordkeeping or 

reporting requirements on State or local 

governments, individuals, businesses, or 

organizations. An agency may not 

conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 

required to respond to, a collection of 

information unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. 

Congressional Review Act (CRA) 

This rule is not a major rule as 

defined by the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 804. 

However, pursuant to the CRA, DEA is 

submitting a copy of this final rule to 

both Houses of Congress and to the 

Comptroller General. 

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 1308 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Drug traffic control, 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. 

PART 1308—SCHEDULES OF 

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES 

■ Accordingly, the IFR amending 21 

CFR part 1308, which published on 

October 6, 2020 (85 FR 63014), is 

adopted as final without change. 

D. Christopher Evans, 

Acting Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2021–11512 Filed 6–1–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4410–09–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation 

and Enforcement 

30 CFR Parts 723, 724, 845, and 846 

[Docket ID: OSM 2021–001; S1D1S 

SS08011000 SX064A000 212S180110; 

S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 21XS501520] 

RIN 1029–AC79 

Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation 

Adjustments 

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining 

Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Civil 

Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 

Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), 

which further amended the Federal 

Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 

of 1990 (1990 Act), and Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) 

guidance, this rule adjusts for inflation 

the level of civil monetary penalties 

assessed under the Surface Mining 

Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 

(SMCRA). 

DATES: Effective June 2, 2021. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kathleen G. Vello, Office of Surface 

Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 

1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558, 

Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 

208–1908. Email: kvello@osmre.gov. 

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 

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 (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 23, 2020, 

Memorandum for the Heads of 

Executive Departments and Agencies 

(M–21–10) from Russell T. Vought, 


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29510 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

Director, Office of Management and 

Budget, Implementation of Penalty 

Inflation Adjustments for 2021, 

Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties 

Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements 

Act of 2015 (OMB Memorandum), at 3. 

Pursuant to SMCRA and the 2015 Act, 

this final rule reflects the statutorily 

required CMP adjustments as follows: 

CFR citation 

Points 

(where 

applicable) 

Current 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

Adjusted 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

30 CFR 723.14 ............................................................................................................................ 1 $68 $69 

2 137 139 

3 206 208 

4 274 277 

5 342 346 

6 411 416 

7 479 485 

8 546 552 

9 616 623 

10 685 693 

11 752 761 

12 821 831 

13 888 898 

14 958 969 

15 1,028 1,040 

16 1,095 1,108 

17 1,163 1,177 

18 1,233 1,248 

19 1,301 1,316 

20 1,369 1,385 

21 1,438 1,455 

22 1,506 1,524 

23 1,574 1,593 

24 1,642 1,661 

25 1,711 1,731 

26 2,054 2,078 

27 2,396 2,424 

28 2,736 2,768 

29 2,949 2,984 

30 3,423 3,463 

31 3,764 3,808 

32 4,106 4,155 

33 4,449 4,502 

34 4,791 4,848 

35 5,133 5,194 

36 5,475 5,540 

37 5,819 5,888 

38 6,160 6,233 

39 6,502 6,579 

40 6,843 6,924 

41 7,188 7,273 

42 7,529 7,618 

43 7,870 7,963 

44 8,213 8,310 

45 8,555 8,656 

46 8,898 9,003 

47 9,239 9,348 

48 9,583 9,696 

49 9,924 10,041 

50 10,266 10,387 

51 10,607 10,732 

52 10,952 11,081 

53 11,294 11,427 

54 11,635 11,773 

55 11,979 12,121 

56 12,320 12,466 

57 12,661 12,811 

58 13,003 13,157 

59 13,347 13,505 

60 13,688 13,850 

61 14,030 14,196 

62 14,373 14,543 

63 14,716 14,890 

64 15,058 15,236 

65 15,399 15,581 

66 15,743 15,929 

67 16,084 16,274 

68 16,426 16,620 


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CFR citation 

Points 

(where 

applicable) 

Current 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

Adjusted 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

69 16,768 16,966 

70 17,112 17,314 

30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each day) ........................................ ........................ 2,566 2,596 

30 CFR 724.14(b) (Individual civil penalties) .............................................................................. ........................ 17,112 17,314 

30 CFR 845.14 ............................................................................................................................ 1 68 69 

2 137 139 

3 206 208 

4 274 277 

5 342 346 

6 411 416 

7 479 485 

8 546 552 

9 616 623 

10 685 693 

11 752 761 

12 821 831 

13 888 898 

14 958 969 

15 1,028 1,040 

16 1,095 1,108 

17 1,163 1,177 

18 1,233 1,248 

19 1,301 1,316 

20 1,369 1,385 

21 1,438 1,455 

22 1,506 1,524 

23 1,574 1,593 

24 1,642 1,661 

25 1,711 1,731 

26 2,054 2,078 

27 2,396 2,424 

28 2,736 2,768 

29 2,949 2,984 

30 3,423 3,463 

31 3,764 3,808 

32 4,106 4,155 

33 4,449 4,502 

34 4,791 4,848 

35 5,133 5,194 

36 5,475 5,540 

37 5,819 5,888 

38 6,160 6,233 

39 6,502 6,579 

40 6,843 6,924 

41 7,188 7,273 

42 7,529 7,618 

43 7,870 7,963 

44 8,213 8,310 

45 8,555 8,656 

46 8,898 9,003 

47 9,239 9,348 

48 9,583 9,696 

49 9,924 10,041 

50 10,266 10,387 

51 10,607 10,732 

52 10,952 11,081 

53 11,294 11,427 

54 11,635 11,773 

55 11,979 12,121 

56 12,320 12,466 

57 12,661 12,811 

58 13,003 13,157 

59 13,347 13,505 

60 13,688 13,850 

61 14,030 14,196 

62 14,373 14,543 

63 14,716 14,890 

64 15,058 15,236 

65 15,399 15,581 

66 15,743 15,929 

67 16,084 16,274 

68 16,426 16,620 


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29512 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

CFR citation 

Points 

(where 

applicable) 

Current 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

Adjusted 

penalty dollar 

amounts 

69 16,768 16,966 

70 17,112 17,314 

30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each day) ........................................ ........................ 2,566 2,596 

30 CFR 846.14(b) (Individual civil penalties) .............................................................................. ........................ 17,112 17,314 

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 2021 

annual adjustments for inflation. See 

OMB Memorandum (December 23, 

2020). 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-ofliving adjustment multiplier for 2021, 

not seasonally adjusted, is 1.01182 (the 

October 2020 CPI–U (260.388) divided 

by the October 2019 CPI–U (257.346) = 

1.01182). 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 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 $17,112 CMP. 

To adjust this amount, we multiply 

$17,112 by the 2020 inflation factor of 

1.01182, resulting in a raw adjusted 

amount of $17,314.26. 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 

$17,314. 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 increases in CMPs also 

apply 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 and 13563) 

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. 

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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 29513 

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 foreignbased 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-togovernment 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 Federallyrecognized 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 

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– 

21–10, at 3. 

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. 


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30 CFR Part 846 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Penalties, Surface mining, 

Underground mining. 

Glenda H. Owens, 

Deputy Director, Office of Surface Mining 

Reclamation and Enforcement. 

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 

■ 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. 

■ 2. Revise the table in § 723.14 to read 

as follows: 

§ 723.14 Determination of amount of 

penalty. 

* * * * * 

TABLE 1 TO § 723.14 

Points Dollars 

1 ............................................ 69 

2 ............................................ 139 

3 ............................................ 208 

4 ............................................ 277 

5 ............................................ 346 

6 ............................................ 416 

7 ............................................ 485 

8 ............................................ 552 

9 ............................................ 623 

10 .......................................... 693 

11 .......................................... 761 

12 .......................................... 831 

13 .......................................... 898 

14 .......................................... 969 

15 .......................................... 1,040 

16 .......................................... 1,108 

17 .......................................... 1,177 

18 .......................................... 1,248 

19 .......................................... 1,316 

20 .......................................... 1,385 

21 .......................................... 1,455 

22 .......................................... 1,524 

23 .......................................... 1,593 

24 .......................................... 1,661 

25 .......................................... 1,731 

26 .......................................... 2,078 

27 .......................................... 2,424 

28 .......................................... 2,768 

29 .......................................... 2,984 

30 .......................................... 3,463 

31 .......................................... 3,808 

32 .......................................... 4,155 

33 .......................................... 4,502 

34 .......................................... 4,848 

35 .......................................... 5,194 

36 .......................................... 5,540 

37 .......................................... 5,888 

38 .......................................... 6,233 

39 .......................................... 6,579 

40 .......................................... 6,924 

41 .......................................... 7,273 

42 .......................................... 7,618 

43 .......................................... 7,963 

TABLE 1 TO § 723.14—Continued 

Points Dollars 

44 .......................................... 8,310 

45 .......................................... 8,656 

46 .......................................... 9,003 

47 .......................................... 9,348 

48 .......................................... 9,696 

49 .......................................... 10,041 

50 .......................................... 10,387 

51 .......................................... 10,732 

52 .......................................... 11,081 

53 .......................................... 11,427 

54 .......................................... 11,773 

55 .......................................... 12,121 

56 .......................................... 12,466 

57 .......................................... 12,811 

58 .......................................... 13,157 

59 .......................................... 13,505 

60 .......................................... 13,850 

61 .......................................... 14,196 

62 .......................................... 14,543 

63 .......................................... 14,890 

64 .......................................... 15,236 

65 .......................................... 15,581 

66 .......................................... 15,929 

67 .......................................... 16,274 

68 .......................................... 16,620 

69 .......................................... 16,966 

70 .......................................... 17,314 

■ 3. In § 723.15, revise introductory text 

of paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 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 $2,596 will be assessed for each 

day during which such failure to abate 

continues, except that: 

* * * * * 

PART 724—INDIVIDUAL CIVIL 

PENALTIES 

■ 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. 

■ 5. In § 724.14, revise the first sentence 

of paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 724.14 Amount of individual civil penalty. 

* * * * * 

(b) The penalty will not exceed 

$17,314 for each violation. * * * 

PART 845—CIVIL PENALTIES 

■ 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. 

■ 7. Revise the table in § 845.14 to read 

as follows: 

§ 845.14 Determination of amount of 

penalty. 

* * * * * 

TABLE 1 TO § 845.14 

Points Dollars 

1 ............................................ 69 

2 ............................................ 139 

3 ............................................ 208 

4 ............................................ 277 

5 ............................................ 346 

6 ............................................ 416 

7 ............................................ 485 

8 ............................................ 552 

9 ............................................ 623 

10 .......................................... 693 

11 .......................................... 761 

12 .......................................... 831 

13 .......................................... 898 

14 .......................................... 969 

15 .......................................... 1,040 

16 .......................................... 1,108 

17 .......................................... 1,177 

18 .......................................... 1,248 

19 .......................................... 1,316 

20 .......................................... 1,385 

21 .......................................... 1,455 

22 .......................................... 1,524 

23 .......................................... 1,593 

24 .......................................... 1,661 

25 .......................................... 1,731 

26 .......................................... 2,078 

27 .......................................... 2,424 

28 .......................................... 2,768 

29 .......................................... 2,984 

30 .......................................... 3,463 

31 .......................................... 3,808 

32 .......................................... 4,155 

33 .......................................... 4,502 

34 .......................................... 4,848 

35 .......................................... 5,194 

36 .......................................... 5,540 

37 .......................................... 5,888 

38 .......................................... 6,233 

39 .......................................... 6,579 

40 .......................................... 6,924 

41 .......................................... 7,273 

42 .......................................... 7,618 

43 .......................................... 7,963 

44 .......................................... 8,310 

45 .......................................... 8,656 

46 .......................................... 9,003 

47 .......................................... 9,348 

48 .......................................... 9,696 

49 .......................................... 10,041 

50 .......................................... 10,387 

51 .......................................... 10,732 

52 .......................................... 11,081 

53 .......................................... 11,427 

54 .......................................... 11,773 

55 .......................................... 12,121 

56 .......................................... 12,466 

57 .......................................... 12,811 

58 .......................................... 13,157 

59 .......................................... 13,505 

60 .......................................... 13,850 

61 .......................................... 14,196 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 104 / Wednesday, June 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 29515 

TABLE 1 TO § 845.14—Continued 

Points Dollars 

62 .......................................... 14,543 

63 .......................................... 14,890 

64 .......................................... 15,236 

65 .......................................... 15,581 

66 .......................................... 15,929 

67 .......................................... 16,274 

68 .......................................... 16,620 

69 .......................................... 16,966 

70 .......................................... 17,314 

■ 8. In § 845.15, revise introductory text 

of paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 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 $2,596 will be assessed for each 

day during which such failure to abate 

continues, except that: 

* * * * * 

PART 846—INDIVIDUAL CIVIL 

PENALTIES 

■ 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. 

■ 10. In § 846.14, revise the first 

sentence of paragraph (b) to read as 

follows: 

§ 846.14 Amount of individual civil penalty. 

* * * * * 

(b) The penalty will not exceed $17, 

314 for each violation. * * * 

[FR Doc. 2021–11301 Filed 6–1–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–05–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

40 CFR Part 30 

[EPA–HQ–OA–2018–0259; FRL–10024–32– 

ORD] 

RIN 2080–AA15 

Strengthening Transparency in Pivotal 

Science Underlying Significant 

Regulatory Actions and Influential 

Scientific Information; Implementation 

of Vacatur 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) is removing the 

regulatory provisions associated with 

the final rule Strengthening 

Transparency in Pivotal Science 

Underlying Significant Regulatory 

Actions and Influential Scientific 

Information. This action effectuates the 

vacatur of the final rule ordered by the 

United States District Court for the 

District of Montana. It is also responsive 

to the Executive order entitled 

‘‘Protecting Public Health and the 

Environment and Restoring Science to 

Tackle the Climate Crisis,’’ signed on 

January 20, 2021. 

DATES: This final rule is effective May 

28, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a 

docket for this action under Docket ID 

No. EPA–HQ–OA—2018–0259 All 

documents in the docket are listed on 

the http://www.regulations.gov website. 

Although listed in the index, some 

information may not be publicly 

available, e.g., CBI or other information 

whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 

Certain other material, such as 

copyrighted material, is not placed on 

the internet and will be publicly 

available only in hard copy form. 

Publicly available docket materials are 

available electronically through http://

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Bennett Thompson, Office of Science 

Advisor, Policy and Engagement 

(8104R), Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 

Washington, DC 20460; telephone 

number: (202) 564–1071; email address: 

osp_staff@epa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information 

A. Does this action apply to me? 

This action removes requirements for 

how the EPA considers the availability 

of dose-response data underlying its 

pivotal science used in its significant 

regulatory actions and influential 

scientific information. The EPA 

recognizes any entity interested in 

submitting studies to EPA or how EPA 

evaluates and considers science in EPA 

regulations may be interested in this 

final rule. 

B. Why is EPA issuing this action? 

The EPA is removing the regulatory 

provisions associated with the final rule 

‘‘Strengthening Transparency in Pivotal 

Science Underlying Significant 

Regulatory Actions and Influential 

Scientific Information’’ (86 FR 469, 

January 6, 2021), herein referred to as 

the ‘‘2021 final rule’’ (Ref. 1). This 

action effectuates the vacatur of the final 

rule ordered by the United States 

District Court for the District of Montana 

in Environmental Defense Fund et al. v. 

EPA, No. 21–cv–00003 (D. Mon. Feb. 1, 

2021) (EDF v. EPA). 

Section 553 of the Administrative 

Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), 

provides that, when an agency for good 

cause finds that notice and public 

procedure are impracticable, 

unnecessary or contrary to the public 

interest, the agency may issue a rule 

without providing notice and an 

opportunity for public comment. EPA 

has determined that there is good cause 

under section 553(b)(B) to issue this 

final rule without prior proposal and 

opportunity for comment because this 

action undertakes the ministerial tasks 

of removing regulatory provisions 

vacated by the court in EDF v. EPA (Ref. 

2). 

As a matter of law, the order issued 

by the court in EDF v. EPA on February 

1, 2021 vacated the 2021 final rule. It is, 

therefore, unnecessary to provide notice 

and an opportunity for comment on this 

action, which carries out the court’s 

orders by removing the 2021 final rule 

from 40 CFR part 30. 

In addition, EPA finds that it has good 

cause to make these revisions 

immediately effective upon publication 

under section 553(d) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 

553(d). Section 553(d) provides that 

final rules shall not become effective 

until 30 days after publication in the 

Federal Register ‘‘except . . . as 

otherwise provided by the agency for 

good cause. ’’ The purpose of this 

provision is to ‘‘give affected parties a 

reasonable time to adjust their behavior 

before the final rule takes effect.’’ 

Omnipoint Corp. v. Fed. Commc’n 

Comm’n, 78 F.3d 620, 630 (D.C. Cir. 

1996); see also United States v. 

Gavrilovic, 551 F.2d 1099, 1104 (8th Cir. 

1977) (quoting legislative history). Thus, 

in determining whether good cause 

exists to waive the 30-day delay, an 

agency should, ‘‘balance the necessity 

for immediate implementation against 

principles of fundamental fairness 

which require that all affected persons 

be afforded a reasonable amount of time 

to prepare for the effective date of its 

ruling.’’ Gavrilovic, 551 F.2d at 1105. 

EPA has determined that there is good 

cause under section 553(d) for making 

this final rule effective immediately 

because this action merely implements 

the court order vacating the 2021 final 

rule. Delaying the effectiveness of this 

rule further would prolong the period of 

time between the change in the law (i.e., 

the court’s vacatur) and the 


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