Civil Monetary Penalties

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 18444-18448

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-07101

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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-AC67

Docket ID: OSM-2013-0003; S1D1S SS08011000 SX066A00067F 134S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX066A00 33F 13XS501520

Civil Monetary Penalties

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule adjusts the penalty amount of certain civil monetary penalties authorized by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The rule implements SMCRA and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, which requires that civil monetary penalties be adjusted for inflation at least once every four years.

DATES: Effective Date: May 2, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrienne Alsop, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, South Interior Building MS-203, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-2818. Email: aalsop@osmre.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

  1. Background

    1. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990

    2. Method of Calculation

    3. Example of a Calculation

    4. Civil Monetary Penalties Affected by This Adjustment

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

    6. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs

  2. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations

  3. Background

    1. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990

      In an effort to maintain the deterrent effect of civil monetary penalties (CMPs) and promote compliance with the law, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act), as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, requires Federal agencies to regularly adjust CMPs for inflation. 28 U.S.C. 2461, note. The Inflation Adjustment Act, as amended, requires each agency to make an initial inflation adjustment for all applicable CMPs, and to make subsequent adjustments at least once every four years thereafter. We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), have adjusted the CMPs authorized by SMCRA on four previous occasions: November 28, 1997 (62 FR 63274), November 21, 2001 (66 FR 58644), November 22, 2005 (70 FR 70698), and July 15, 2009 (74 FR 34490). As required by the Inflation Adjustment Act, we are again adjusting our CMPs according to the formula set forth in the law.

      Under the Inflation Adjustment Act, the amount of the adjustment for a CMP is determined by increasing the CMP by the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment. The cost-of-living adjustment is defined as the percentage of each CMP by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for

      Page 18445

      the month of June of the calendar year in which the amount of the CMP was last set or adjusted. The Inflation Adjustment Act defines the Consumer Price Index as the ``Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers the CPI-U published by the Department of Labor.'' See 28 U.S.C. 2461, note. The Inflation Adjustment Act specifies that any resulting increases in a CMP must be rounded according to a stated rounding formula. Id. The increased CMPs apply only to violations that occur after the date the increase takes effect. Id.

    2. Method of Calculation

      Because these adjustments will be effective before December 31, 2014, we are calculating the CMP increases based on the CPI-U inflation factor for the month of June 2013, which is 233.504. Because of the rounding formula contained in the Inflation Adjustment Act, we did not adjust all CMPs in 2001, 2005, or 2009. Therefore, we are using four different multipliers to calculate the current CMP adjustments.

      First, for the CMPs that were last adjusted in 1997, we are using a multiplier of 1.4567 (45.67 percent increase). We arrived at this multiplier by dividing the CPI-U for June 2013 (233.504) by the CPI-U for June 1997 (160.3).

      Second, for the CMPs that were last adjusted in 2001, we are using a multiplier of 1.3118 (a 31.18 percent increase). We arrived at this multiplier by dividing the CPI-U for June 2013 (233.504) by the CPI-U for June 2001 (178.0).

      Third, for the CMPs that were last adjusted in 2005, we are using a multiplier of 1.2005 (a 20.05 percent increase). We arrived at this multiplier by dividing the CPI-U for June 2013 (233.504) by the CPI-U for June 2005 (194.5).

      Fourth, for the CMPs that were last adjusted in 2009, we are using a multiplier of 1.0826 (a 8.26 percent increase). We arrived at this multiplier by dividing the CPI-U for June 2013 (233.504) by the CPI-U for June 2009 (215.693).

      Any potential increase under these adjustments is subject to the rounding formula set forth in section 5(a) of the Inflation Adjustment Act. Under the formula, any increase must be rounded to the nearest:

      (1) multiple of $10 in the case of penalties less than or equal to $100;

      (2) multiple of $100 in the case of penalties greater than $100 but less than or equal to $1,000;

      (3) multiple of $1,000 in the case of penalties greater than $1,000 but less than or equal to $10,000;

      (4) multiple of $5,000 in the case of penalties greater than $10,000 but less than or equal to $100,000;

      (5) multiple of $10,000 in the case of penalties greater than $100,000 but less than or equal to $200,000; and

      (6) multiple of $25,000 in the case of penalties greater than $200,000.

      See 28 U.S.C. 2461, note.

    3. Example of a Calculation

      The following example illustrates the inflation adjustment calculation based on a CMP that was last adjusted in 2009. Generally, OSMRE assigns points to a violation as described in 30 CFR 845.13. The CMP owed is based on the number of points received. For example, under our existing regulations in 30 CFR 845.14, a violation totaling 70 points would amount to a $7,500 CMP.

      To adjust this amount, using the formula above, we multiply $7,500 by the inflation factor of 1.0826, resulting in a raw inflation amount of $8,119.50. Because the Inflation Adjustment Act requires us to round any increase in the CMP amount, we must then calculate the difference in the raw inflation amount and the existing penalty. So, we subtract the current penalty amount ($7,500.00) from the raw inflation adjustment ($8,119.50), which results in an increase of $619.50.

      The rounding formula in section 5(a) of the Inflation Adjustment Act specifies that if the penalty is greater than $1,000 but less than $10,000, the increase must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000. Because the difference of $619.50 (noted above) is greater than $500.00 (half of $1,000), we will round the increase up to $1,000.00. Therefore, the existing penalty will increase to $8,500.00.

      For those CMPs that were last adjusted in 1997, 2001 or 2005, the method of calculation would be the same, but the multiplier would be either 1.4567, 1.3118 or 1.2005, respectively, instead of 1.0826. When the regulations in 30 CFR 845.14 were issued in 1982 (47 FR 35640), the amount of the civil penalty that was assessed increased by $20.00 with each additional point that was assessed from 2 through 25, and the penalty increased by $100.00 with each additional point that was assessed from 26 through 70. For example, an assessment of 47 points resulted in a penalty of $2,700.00, and an assessment of 48 points resulted in an assessment of $2,800.00. Because of the rounding formula required by the Inflation Adjustment Act, the difference in the penalty amount for each additional point is no longer consistent in many instances.

    4. Civil Monetary Penalties Affected By This Adjustment

      Section 518 of SMCRA, 30 U.S.C. 1268, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assess CMPs for violations of SMCRA. OSMRE's regulations implementing the CMP provisions of section 518 are located in 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845, and 846. We are adjusting CMPs in four sections--30 CFR 723.14, 724.14, 845.14, and 846.14. When we review and adjust our CMPs in 2018, we will compare the CPI-U for June 2017 with the CPI-U for the year in which each CMP was last adjusted.

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

      The increase in civil monetary penalties contained in this rule will apply through cross-referencing 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. The increase in civil monetary penalties also applies through cross-referencing to Indian lands under the Federal program for Indian lands as provided for in 30 CFR 750.18.

    6. Effect of the Rule on Approved State Programs

      Section 518(i) of SMCRA requires that the civil penalty provisions of each State program contain penalties which are ``no less stringent than'' those set forth in SMCRA. Our regulations specify that each State program ``shall contain penalties which are no less stringent than those set forth in section 518 of the Act and shall be consistent with 30 CFR part 845.'' 30 CFR 840.13(a). In order to implement the penalty provisions of section 518(a) of SMCRA, we developed a point system for determining the amount of the CMP to assess for a violation of our regulations. 44 FR 15461-63 (Mar. 13, 1979). However, in a 1980 decision on OSMRE's regulations governing CMPs, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held that because section 518 of SMCRA fails to enumerate a point system for assessing CMPs, we cannot require the States to adopt the point system and civil penalty amounts found in 30 CFR 845.14. In re Permanent Surface Mining Regulation Litigation, No. 79-1144, Mem. Op. (D.D.C. Feb. 26, 1980), 14 Env't Rep. Cas. (BNA) 1083. In response to the

      Page 18446

      Secretary's request for clarification, the Court further stated that it could not uphold requiring the States to impose penalties as stringent as those appearing in 30 CFR 845.15. 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. As a result of the litigation, 30 CFR 840.13(a) was suspended in part on August 4, 1980. 45 FR 51548. Consequently, State regulatory programs are not required to mirror all of the penalty provisions of our regulations.

  4. Procedural Matters and Required Determinations Administrative Procedure Act

    This final rule has been issued without prior public notice or opportunity for public comment. The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) provides an exception to the notice and comment procedures when an agency finds there is good cause for dispensing with such procedures on the basis that they are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. 5 U.S.C. 553(b). We have determined that under 5 U.S.C. 553(b), good cause exists for dispensing with the notice of proposed rulemaking and public comment procedures for this rule. This rulemaking is consistent with the statutory authority and requirements set forth in the Inflation Adjustment Act as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The Inflation Adjustment Act requires that we adjust our CMPs once every four years and specifies the manner in which the adjustment is to be made. Accordingly, the adjustments made are ministerial, technical, and non-discretionary.

    Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule has been reviewed under the provisions of Executive Order 12866 and is not considered a significant regulatory action. This determination is based on the fact that the rule adjusts OSMRE's CMPs according to the formula contained in the Inflation Adjustment Act. OSMRE has no discretion in making the adjustments. Further, most coal mining operations subject to the rule do not engage in prohibited activities and practices and, as a result, we believe that the aggregate economic impact of these revised regulations will be minimal, affecting only those who may engage in prohibited behavior in violation of SMCRA.

    Our civil penalty data for Fiscal Years 2009-2013 indicates that over a five-year period, we collected an average of approximately $345,903 annually for all violations. If we assume that the average annual collection remains constant at $345,903, and we adjusted that collection figure for inflation using the largest inflation factor contained in this rule (45.67 percent), the CMPs collected annually under the new penalty amounts would result in an annual increase of approximately $157,974 for a total CMP collection of $503,877 annually. Because the majority of the increases are based on lower inflation factors (8.26 percent or 20.05 percent) the actual annual increase will be even less. Consequently, the annual increase in CMPs that we might reasonably expect to collect under the revised dollar amounts contained in this rule is substantially less than the $100 million annual threshold contained in Executive Order 12866 for an economically significant rule. Based on the above data, we have determined that:

    1. The rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy, nor will it adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or communities.

    2. The rule will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency.

    3. The rule will not alter the budgetary effects of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of their recipients.

    4. The rule does not raise novel legal or policy issues.

    Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this revision will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). As discussed above, the aggregate economic impact of this rulemaking on small business entities should be minimal, and affects only those who violate the provisions of SMCRA.

    Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    For the reasons previously stated, this rule is not considered a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:

    1. Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million.

    2. Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, or local government agencies, or geographic regions because the rule does not impose new requirements on the coal mining industry or consumers.

    3. Will not have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S. based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

      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. As previously discussed, the annual increase in CMPs that we might reasonably expect to collect under the revised dollar amounts contained in this rule is substantially less than the $100 million annual threshold. A statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.

      Federal Paperwork Reduction Act

      This rule does not contain collections of information which require approval by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

      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 is not required because we have determined the rule is covered by the categorical exclusion listed in the Department of the Interior regulations at 43 CFR 46.210(i). That categorical exclusion covers policies, directives, regulations and guidelines that are of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature. 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 the National Environmental Policy Act.

      Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

      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.

      Page 18447

      Executive Order 13211--Regulations That Significantly Affect the Supply, Distribution, or Use of Energy

      Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for a rule that is (1) considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and (2) likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Because this rule is not considered significant under Executive Order 12866 and is not expected to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, a Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

      Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

      In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated the potential effects of this rule on Federally recognized Indian Tribes and have determined that the proposed revisions would not have substantial direct effects 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.

      Executive Order 12630--Takings

      Under the criteria in Executive Order 12630, this rule does not have significant takings implications; therefore, a takings implication assessment is not required. This determination is based on the fact that the rule will not have an impact on the use or value of private property.

      Executive Order 13132--Federalism

      This rule does not have Federalism implications. It will not have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''

      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).

      List of Subjects

      30 CFR Part 723

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

      30 CFR Part 724

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

      30 CFR Part 845

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

      30 CFR Part 846

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

      Dated: March 13, 2014.0;

      Tommy P. Beaudreau,

      Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

      For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR parts 723, 724, 845 and 846 are amended as follows:

      PART 723--CIVIL PENALTIES

      0

    4. 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

    5. Section 723.14 is amended by revising the table to read as follows:

      Sec. 723.14 Determination of amount of penalty.

      * * * * *

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

      Points Dollars

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

    6. 32

    7. 74

    8. 96

    9. 108

    10. 210

    11. 232

    12. 254

    13. 276

    14. 298

    15. 320

    16. 342

    17. 364

    18. 486

    19. 508

    20. 530

    21. 552

    22. 574

    23. 596

    24. 718

    25. 740

    26. 762

    27. 784

    28. 806

    29. 828

    30. 850

    31. 960

    32. 1,070

    33. 1,080

    34. 1,090

    35. 2,100

    36. 2,210

    37. 2,320

    38. 2,430

    39. 2,540

    40. 2,650

    41. 2,760

    42. 2,870

    43. 2,980

    44. 3,090

    45. 3,200

    46. 3,310

    47. 3,420

    48. 3,530

    49. 3,640

    50. 4,750

    51. 4,860

    52. 4,970

    53. 5,080

    54. 5,190

    55. 5,300

    56. 5,410

    57. 5,520

    58. 5,630

    59. 5,740

    60. 5,850

    61. 5,960

    62. 7,070

    63. 7,180

    64. 7,290

    65. 7,400

    66. 7,510

    67. 7,620

    68. 7,730

    69. 7,840

    70. 7,950

    71. 8,060

    72. 8,170

    73. 8,280

    74. 8,390

    75. 8,500

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

      PART 724--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES

      0

    76. 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

    77. Section 724.14 is amended by revising the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read as follows:

      Sec. 724.14 Amount of individual civil penalty.

      * * * * *

      (b) The penalty shall not exceed $8,500 for each violation. * * *

      PART 845--CIVIL PENALTIES

      0

    78. 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

    79. Section 845.14 is amended by revising the table to read as follows:

      Sec. 845.14 Determination of amount of penalty.

      * * * * *

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

      Points Dollars

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

    80. 32

    81. 74

    82. 96

    83. 108

    84. 210

      Page 18448

    85. 232

    86. 254

    87. 276

    88. 298

    89. 320

    90. 342

    91. 364

    92. 486

    93. 508

    94. 530

    95. 552

    96. 574

    97. 596

    98. 718

    99. 740

    100. 762

    101. 784

    102. 806

    103. 828

    104. 850

    105. 960

    106. 1,070

    107. 1,080

    108. 1,090

    109. 2,100

    110. 2,210

    111. 2,320

    112. 2,430

    113. 2,540

    114. 2,650

    115. 2,760

    116. 2,870

    117. 2,980

    118. 3,090

    119. 3,200

    120. 3,310

    121. 3,420

    122. 3,530

    123. 3,640

    124. 4,750

    125. 4,860

    126. 4,970

    127. 5,080

    128. 5,190

    129. 5,300

    130. 5,410

    131. 5,520

    132. 5,630

    133. 5,740

    134. 5,850

    135. 5,960

    136. 7,070

    137. 7,180

    138. 7,290

    139. 7,400

    140. 7,510

    141. 7,620

    142. 7,730

    143. 7,840

    144. 7,950

    145. 8,060

    146. 8,170

    147. 8,280

    148. 8,390

    149. 8,500

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

      PART 846--CIVIL PENALTIES

      0

    150. 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

    151. Section 846.14 is amended by revising the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read as follows:

      Sec. 846.14 Amount of individual civil penalty.

      * * * * *

      (b) The penalty shall not exceed $8,500 for each violation. * * *

      FR Doc. 2014-07101 Filed 4-1-14; 8:45 am

      BILLING CODE 4310-05-P

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