[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29509-29515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11301]


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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.

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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 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: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84eff2e1e8e8ebc4ebf7e9f6e1aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e08b96858c8c8fa08f938d9285ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>.

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,

[[Page 29510]]

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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Current        Adjusted
                          CFR citation                             Points (where  penalty dollar  penalty dollar
                                                                    applicable)       amounts         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

[[Page 29511]]

 
                                                                              69          16,768          16,966
                                                                              70          17,112          17,314
30 CFR 723.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,566           2,596
 day)...........................................................
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

[[Page 29512]]

 
                                                                              69          16,768          16,966
                                                                              70          17,112          17,314
30 CFR 845.15(b) (Assessment of separate violations for each      ..............           2,566           2,596
 day)...........................................................
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-of-living 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

[[Page 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 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 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.

[[Page 29514]]

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

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.

* * * * *

                        Table 1 to Sec.   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
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 $2,596 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 $17,314 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 the table in Sec.  845.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  845.14  Determination of amount of penalty.

* * * * *

                        Table 1 to Sec.   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

[[Page 29515]]

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


0
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 $2,596 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, 314 for each violation. * * *

[FR Doc. 2021-11301 Filed 6-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P


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