Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) of Federal Oil, Gas,
and Sulphur Leases in the Outer Continental Shelf

Publishing the Civil Penalties Program Summary

The purpose of this notice is to inform lessees and operators of federal oil, gas, and sulphur leases on the outer continental shelf that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will annually publish a summary of OCS civil penalties paid. The annual summary will highlight the identity of the party, the regulation violated, and the amount paid. Publication of the annual summary of civil penalties for the preceding calendar year will begin in 1998.

The goal of the MMS OCS Civil Penalties Program is to assure safe and clean operations on the OCS. Through the pursuit, assessment, and collection of civil penalties and referrals for the consideration of criminal penalties, the program is designed to encourage compliance with OCS statutes and regulations. The purpose of publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to the public on violations of special concern in OCS operations and to provide an additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations.

The Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90) strengthened section 24 of the OCS Lands Act Amendments of 1978. Subtitle B of OPA 90, entitled "Penalties," increased the amount of the civil penalty from a maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 per violation for each day of noncompliance. More importantly, in cases where a failure to comply with applicable regulations constitutes or constituted a threat of serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life); property; any mineral deposit; or the marine, coastal, or human environment; OPA 90 provided the Secretary of the Interior with the authority to assess a civil penalty without regard to the requirement of expiration of a period of time allowed for corrective action.

On August 8, 1997, the MMS published new regulations implementing the civil penalty provisions of the OCS Lands Act. Written in "plain English," the new question-and-answer format provides a better understanding of the OCS civil penalty process. In addition, the provisions of OPA 90 require the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the maximum civil penalty to reflect any increases in the Consumer Price Index. The new rule increases the maximum civil penalty to $25,000 per day per violation.

Additional information about this program can be found on the MMS worldwide web home page, http://www.mms.gov.

---Signed ---

Carolita U. Kallaur
Associate Director for
Offshore Energy and Minerals Management