Civil Division

Redelegation of Authority, to Branch Directors, Heads of Offices and United States Attorneys in Civil Division Cases

[Directive No. 1-15]

By virtue of the authority vested in me by part 0 of title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, particularly §§ 0.45, 0.160, 0.164, and 0.168, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Scope of Delegation Authority

1. (a) Delegation to Deputy Assistant Attorneys General. The Deputy Assistant Attorneys General are hereby delegated all the power and authority of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division, including with respect to the institution of suits, the acceptance or rejection of compromise offers, the administrative settlement of claims, and the closing of claims or cases, unless any such authority or power is required by law to be exercised by the Assistant Attorney General personally or has been specifically delegated to another Department official.

2. (b) Delegation to United States Attorneys; Branch, Office and Staff Directors; and Attorneys-in-Charge of Field Offices. Subject to the limitations imposed by 28 CFR 0.160(d) and 0.164, and sections 1(e) and 4(b) of this directive, and the authority of the Solicitor General set forth in 28 CFR 0.163, United States Attorneys; Branch, Office, and Staff Directors; and Attorneys-in-Charge of Field Offices, with respect to matters assigned or delegated to their respective components, are hereby delegated the authority to:

   1. (1) Accept offers in compromise of claims asserted by the United States in all cases in which the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $10,000,000;
   2. (2) Accept offers in compromise of, or settle administratively, claims against the United States in all cases in which the principal amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $1,000,000;
   3. (3) Reject any offers in compromise; and
   4. (4) Close any affirmative claim or case where the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $10,000,000.

3. (c) Subject to the limitations imposed by sections 1(e), 4(b), and 5 of this directive, United States Attorneys, Directors, and Attorneys-in-Charge are hereby delegated the authority to:

   1. (1) File suits, counterclaims, and cross-claims, or take any other action necessary to protect the interests of the United States in all routine nonmonetary cases, in all routine loan collection and foreclosure cases, and in other monetary claims or cases where the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $10,000,000. Such actions in nonmonetary cases which are other than routine will be submitted for the approval of the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division; and,
   2. (2) Issue subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and any other compulsory process.
4. (d) United States Attorneys may redelegate in writing the above-conferred compromise and suit authority to Assistant United States Attorneys who supervise other Assistant United States Attorneys who handle civil litigation.

5. (e) Limitations on delegations.

   1. (1) The authority to compromise cases, settle claims administratively, file suits, counterclaims, and cross-claims, to close claims or cases, or take any other action necessary to protect the interests of the United States, delegated by paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, may not be exercised, and the matter shall be submitted for resolution to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, when:

      1. (i) For any reason, the proposed action, as a practical matter, will control or adversely influence the disposition of other claims totaling more than the respective amounts designated in the above paragraphs.
      2. (ii) Because a novel question of law or a question of policy is presented, or for any other reason, the proposed action should, in the opinion of the officer or employee concerned, receive the personal attention of the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division.
      3. (iii) The agency or agencies involved are opposed to the proposed action. The views of an agency must be solicited with respect to any significant proposed action if it is a party, if it has asked to be consulted with respect to any such proposed action, or if such proposed action in a case would adversely affect any of its policies.
      4. (iv) The United States Attorney involved is opposed to the proposed action and requests that the matter be submitted to the Assistant Attorney General for decision.
      5. (v) The case is on appeal, except as determined by the Director of the Appellate Staff.

   2. (2) In fraud or False Claims Act cases and matters, for reasons similar to those listed in sub-section l(e)(l)(i) through l(e)(l)(iii) above, the Director of the Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch, after consultation with the United States Attorney, may determine that a case or matter will not be delegated to the United States Attorney, but personally or jointly handled, or monitored, by the Civil Division.

      Section 2. Action Memoranda

   3. (a) Whenever, pursuant to the authority delegated by this Directive, an official of the Civil Division or a United States Attorney accepts a compromise, closes a claim or files a suit or claim, a memorandum fully explaining the basis for the action taken shall be executed and placed in the file. In the case of matters compromised, closed, or filed by United States Attorneys, a copy of the memorandum must, upon request therefrom, be sent to the appropriate Branch or Office of the Civil Division.

   4. (b) The compromising of cases or closing of claims or the filing of suits for claims, which a United States Attorney is not authorized to approve, shall be referred to the appropriate Branch or Office within the Civil Division, for decision by the Assistant Attorney General or the appropriate authorized person within the Civil Division. The referral memorandum should contain a detailed description of the matter, the United States Attorney's recommendation, the agency's recommendation where applicable, and a full statement of the reasons therefor.

      Section 3. Return of Civil Judgment Cases to Agencies

      Claims arising out of judgments in favor of the United States which cannot be permanently closed as uncollectible may be returned to the referring Federal agency for servicing and surveillance whenever all conditions set forth in USAM 4-3.230 have been met.

      Section 4. Authority for Direct Reference and Delegation of Civil Division Cases to United States Attorneys

   5. (a) Direct reference to United States Attorneys by agencies. The following civil actions under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, may be referred by the agency concerned directly to the appropriate United States Attorney for handling in trial courts, subject to the limitations imposed by paragraph (b) of this section. United States Attorneys are hereby delegated the authority to take all necessary steps to protect the interests of the United States, without prior approval of the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, or his representatives, subject to the limitations set forth in section 1(e) of this directive. Agencies may, however, if special handling is desired, refer these cases to the Civil Division. Also, when constitutional questions or other significant issues arise in the course of such litigation, or when an appeal is taken by any party, the Civil Division should be consulted.

      1. (1) Money claims by the United States where the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $10,000,000.
      2. (2) Single family dwelling house foreclosures arising out of loans made or insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Farm Service Agency.
      3. (3) Suits to enjoin violations of, or to collect penalties under, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, 7 U.S.C. 1376; the Packers and Stockyards Act, 7 U.S.C. 203, 207(g), 213, 215, 216, 222, and 228a; the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, 7 U.S.C. 499c(a) and 499h(d); the Egg Products Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.; the Potato Research and Promotion Act, 7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq.; the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966, 7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.; the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.; and the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
      4. (4) Suits by social security beneficiaries under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 402 et seq.
      5. (5) Social Security disability suits under 42 U.S.C. 423 et seq.
      6. (6) Black lung beneficiary suits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, 30 U.S.C. 921 et seq.
      7. (7) Suits by Medicare beneficiaries under 42 U.S.C. 1395ff.
      8. (8) Garnishment actions authorized by 42 U.S.C. 659 for child support or alimony payments and actions for general debt, 5 U.S.C. 5520a.
      9. (9) Judicial review of actions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the food stamp program, pursuant to the provisions of 7 U.S.C. 2022 involving retail food stores.
      10. (10) Cases referred by the Department of Labor for the collection of penalties or for injunctive action under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
      11. (11) Cases referred by the Department of Labor solely for the collection of civil penalties under the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963, 7 U.S.C. 2048(b).
      12. (12) Cases referred by the Surface Transportation Board to enforce orders of the Surface Transportation Board or to enjoin or suspend such orders pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1336.
      13. (13) Cases referred by the United States Postal Service for injunctive relief under the nonmailable matter laws, 39 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.

   6. (b) Cases not covered. Regardless of the amount in controversy (unless otherwise specified), the following matters normally will not be delegated to United States Attorneys for handling but will be personally or jointly handled or monitored by the appropriate Branch or Office within the Civil Division:

      1. (1) Cases in the Court of Federal Claims.
      2. (2) Cases within the jurisdiction of the Commercial Litigation Branch involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.
      3. (3) Cases before the United States Court of International Trade.
      4. (4) Any case involving bribery, conflict of interest, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of employment contract, or exploitation of public office.
      5. (5) Any case involving vessel-caused pollution in navigable waters.
      6. (6) Cases on appeal, except as determined by the Director of the Appellate Staff.
      7. (7) Any case involving litigation in a foreign court.
      8. (8) Criminal proceedings arising under statutes enforced by the Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (relating to odometer tampering), except as determined by the Director of the Consumer Protection Branch.
      9. (9) Nonmonetary civil cases, including injunction suits, declaratory judgment actions, and applications for inspection warrants, and cases seeking civil penalties where the gross amount of the original claim exceeds $10,000,000.
      10. (10) Cases arising under the statutes listed in 28 CFR 0.45(j), except as determined by the Director of the Consumer Protection Branch.

      11. (11) Administrative claims arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

          Section 5. Civil Investigative Demands

          Authority relating to Civil Investigative Demands issued under the False Claims Act is hereby delegated to United States Attorneys in cases that are delegated or assigned as monitored to their respective components. In accordance with guidelines provided by the Assistant Attorney General, each United States Attorney must provide notice and a report of Civil Investigative Demands issued by the United States Attorney. Authority relating to Civil Investigative Demands issued under the False Claims Act in cases that are jointly or personally handled by the Civil Division is hereby delegated to the Director of the Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch. When a case is jointly handled by the Civil Division and a United States Attorney's Office, the Director of the Fraud Section will issue a Civil Investigative Demand only after requesting the United States Attorney's recommendation.

          Section 6. Adverse Decisions

          All final judicial decisions adverse to the Government, other than bankruptcy court decisions except as provided herein, involving any direct reference or delegated case must be reported promptly to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, attention Director, Appellate Staff. Consult title 2 of the United States Attorney's Manual for procedures and time limitations. An appeal of such a decision, as well as an appeal of an adverse decision by a district court or bankruptcy appellate panel reviewing a bankruptcy court decision or a direct appeal of an adverse bankruptcy court decision to a court of appeals, cannot be taken without approval of the Solicitor General. Until the Solicitor General has made a decision whether an appeal will be taken, the Government attorney handling the case must take all necessary procedural actions to preserve the Government's right to take an appeal, including filing a protective notice of appeal when the time to file a notice of appeal is about to expire and the Solicitor General has not yet made a decision. Nothing in the foregoing directive affects this obligation.

          Section 7. Definitions

      12. (a) For purposes of this directive, in the case of claims involving only civil penalties, other than claims defined in 28 CFR 0.169(b), the phrase “gross amount of the original claim” shall mean the maximum amount of penalties sought.

      13. (b) For purposes of this directive, in the case of claims asserted in bankruptcy proceedings, the phrase “gross amount of the original claim” shall mean liquidation value. Liquidation value is the forced sale value of the collateral, if any, securing the claim(s) plus the dividend likely to be paid for the unsecured portion of the claim(s) in an actual or hypothetical liquidation of the bankruptcy estate.

          Section 8. Supersession

          This directive supersedes Civil Division Directive No. 1-10 regarding redelegation of the Assistant Attorney General's authority in Civil Division cases to Branch Directors, heads of offices, and United States Attorneys.

          Section 9. Applicability

          This directive applies to all cases pending as of the date of this directive and is effective immediately.

          Section 10. No Private Right of Action

          This directive consists of rules of agency organization, procedure, and practice and does not create a private right of action for any private party to challenge the rules or actions taken pursuant to them.

          Criminal Division

          [Memo No. 375]

          Standards And Procedures With Respect To Criminal Prosecutions Involving Certain Agricultural Marketing Quota Penalty Cases

          By virtue of the authority vested in me by part 0 of title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, particularly §§ 0.55, 0.160, 0.162, 0.164, 0.166, and 0.168, it is hereby ordered as follows:

          Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Memorandum is to prescribe standards and procedures for U.S. Attorneys with respect to the handling of the criminal aspects of agricultural marketing quota penalty cases which are submitted to the U.S. Attorneys by direct referral from the attorney in charge of the local office of the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture (hereinafter in this Memorandum referred to as the General Counsel). Supplement No. 1 of October 26, 1955, to Memorandum No. 119 is hereby superseded. Attention is invited to the fact that Memorandum No. 374, of June 3, 1964, which superseded Memorandum No. 119 of December 8, 1954, deals with the civil aspects of agricultural marketing quota penalty cases.

          Sec. 2. Scope of authority. (a) The authority conferred by this Memorandum is applicable to alleged criminal violations involving the provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1311-1376), in cases in which the gross amount involved does not exceed $5,000.

      14. (b) Matters involving alleged criminal violations of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, shall be referred directly to the U.S. Attorney concerned by the attorney in charge of the local office of the General Counsel which has jurisdiction over any such matter requiring action. U.S. Attorneys may initiate criminal prosecution or decline to do so as they, in their judgment, may deem appropriate. U.S. Attorneys are, of course, urged to obtain the advice and assistance of this Department whenever they feel that such advice and assistance might be helpful.

          Sec. 3. Correspondence—(a) With the Department of Justice. Inquiries to the Department concerning any matters covered by this Memorandum should be directed to the attention of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division (hereinafter in this Memorandum referred to as the Assistant Attorney General). Any such inquiry should be accompanied by copies of all pertinent correspondence and other documents, including the indictment if one shall have been returned, since files concerning these matters will not be maintained in Washington.

      15. (b) With the Department of Agriculture. Correspondence calling for additional factual details, and requests for investigations, documents, witnesses, and similar matters, should be directed to the General Counsel's attorney in charge who originated the matter. However, only the U.S. Attorney and his duly appointed assistants are authorized to exercise any control whatsoever over the handling of any such matter referred to the U.S. Attorney for action. The U.S. Attorney is charged with the entire responsibility for the manner in which such matters are handled.

          Sec. 4. Closing of the Prosecution. (a) U.S. Attorneys may decline to prosecute any case involving a matter covered by this Memorandum without prior consultation or approval of the Assistant Attorney General. If, however, prosecution has been initiated by way of indictment or information, the indictment or information shall not be dismissed until authority to do so has been obtained from the Assistant Attorney General or his representative unless the reason for the dismissal is one which does not necessitate the prior approval of the Criminal Division. (See U.S. Attorneys' Manual, title 2: Criminal Division, pages 18-20.)

      16. (b) In each instance in which a case is closed by a U.S. Attorney and in which prior approval of the Assistant Attorney General or his representative has not been obtained, a memorandum shall be prepared and placed in the file describing the action taken and the reasons therefor.

          Sec. 5. Appeals. The instructions existing with reference to criminal appeals shall govern appeals in cases covered by this Memorandum.

          [Attorney General Order No. 1598-92]

          Redelegations of Authority to United States Attorneys, Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, Section Chiefs, and Director, Asset Forfeiture Office, in the Criminal Division

          By virtue of the authority vested in me by part 0 of title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, particularly §§ 0.160, 0.162, 0.164, 0.168 and 0.171, it is hereby ordered as follows:

      17. (a)

          1. (1) Each U.S. Attorney is authorized in cases delegated to the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division—

             1. (A) To accept or reject offers in compromise of—
             2. (i) Claims in behalf of the United States in all cases (other than forfeiture cases) in which the original claim did not exceed $500,000, and in all cases in which the original claim was between $500,000 and $5,000,000, so long as the difference between the gross amount of the original claim and the proposed settlement does not exceed 15 percent of the original claim; and in all civil or criminal forfeiture cases, except that the U.S. Attorney shall consult with the Asset Forfeiture Office of the Criminal Division before accepting offers in compromise or plea offers in forfeiture cases in which the orignial claim was $5,000,000 or more, and in forfeiture cases in which the original claim was between $500,000 and $5,000,000, when the difference between the gross amount of the original forfeiture sought and the proposed settlement exceeds 15 percent of the original claim; and
             3. (ii) Claims against the United States in all cases, or in administrative actions to settle, in which the amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $500,000; and
             4. (B) To close (other than by compromise or entry of judgment) claims asserted by the United States in all cases (other than forfeiture cases) in which the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $500,000, and in all civil or criminal forfeiture cases, except that the U.S. Attorney shall consult with the Asset Forfeiture Office of the Criminal Division before closing a forfeiture case in which the gross amount of the original forfeiture sought is $500,000 or more.

          2. (2) This subsection does not apply—

             1. (A) When, for any reason, the compromise or closing of a particular claim (other than a forfeiture case) will, as a practical matter, control or adversely influence the disposition of other claims, which, when added to the claim in question, total more than the respective amounts designated above;
             2. (B) When the U.S. Attorney is of the opinion that because of a question of law or policy presented, or for any other reason, the matter should receive the personal attention of the Assistant Attorney General;
             3. (C) When a settlement converts into a mandatory duty the otherwise discretionary authority of an agency or department to revise, amend, or promulgate regulations;
             4. (D) When a settlement commits a department or agency to expend funds that Congress has not appropriated and that have not been budgeted for the action in question, or commits a department or agency to seek a particular appropriation or budget authorization; or
             5. (E) When a settlement limits the discretion of a Secretary or agency administrator to make policy or managerial decisions committed to the Secretary or agency administrator by Congress or by the Constitution.
      18. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Order, the Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division may delegate to U.S. Attorneys authority to compromise or close other cases, including those involving amounts greater than as set forth in paragraph (a) above, and up to the maximum limit of his authority, where the circumstances warrant such delegation.

      19. (c) All other authority delegated to me by §§ 0.160, 0.162, 0.164 and 0.171 of title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations not falling within the limitations of paragraph (a) of this Order is hereby redelegated to Section Chiefs in the Criminal Division, except that—

          1. (1) The authority delegated to me by §§ 0.160, 0.162, 0.164 and 0.171 of that title relating to conducting, handling, or supervising civil and criminal forfeiture litigation (other than bail bond forfeiture), including acceptance or denial of petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeiture, is hereby redelegated to the Director of the Asset Forfeiture Office; and
          2. (2) When a Section Chief or the Director of the Asset Forfeiture Office is of the opinion that because of a question of law or policy presented, or for any other reason, a matter described in paragraph (c) should receive the personal attention of a Deputy Assistant Attorney General or Assistant Attorney General, he shall refer the matter to the appropriate Deputy Assistant Attorney General or to the Assistant Attorney General.

      20. (d) Notwithstanding any of the above redelegations, when the agency or agencies involved have objected in writing to the proposed closing or dismissal of a case, or to the acceptance or rejection of an offer in compromise, any such unresolved objection shall be referred to the Assistant Attorney General for resolution.

          Environment and Natural Resources Division

          [Directive No. 7-76]

          Redelegation Of Authority To Initiate And To Compromise Environment and Natural Resources Division Cases

          This directive supersedes Land and Natural Resources Memorandum No. 388 (appendix to subpart Y) and Directives Nos. 4-72 and 5-72. By virtue of the authority vested in me by part 0 of title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and particularly §§ 0.65, 0.160, 0.162, 0.164, 0.166, and 0.168 thereof, I hereby redelegate to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, certain Section Chiefs, and to the United States Attorneys, the following authority to act in connection with, and to compromise, Environment and Natural Resources Division cases:

          Section I—Authority To Initiate Cases

          A. Delegation to United States Attorneys—1. Land Cases. United States Attorneys are hereby authorized to act in matters concerning real property of the United States, including tribal and restricted individual Indian land, not involving new or unusual questions or questions of title or water rights, on behalf of any other department or agency in response to a direct request in writing from an authorized field officer of the department or agency concerned, without prior authorization from the Environment and Natural Resources Division, in the following-described cases:

      21. (a) Actions to recover possession of property from tenants, squatters, trespassers, or others, and actions to enjoin trespasses on Federal property;
      22. (b) Actions to recover damages resulting from trespasses when the amount of the claim for actual damage based upon an innocent trespass does not exceed $200,000 (The United States Attorneys may seek recovery of amounts exceeding $200,000 (i) if the actual damages are $200,000 or less and State statutes permit the recovery of multiple damages, e.g., double or treble, for either a willful or an innocent trespass; or (ii) if the actual damages are $200,000 or less, but the action is for conversion to obtain recovery of the enhanced value of property severed and removed in the trespass);
      23. (c) Actions to collect delinquent rentals or damages for use and occupancy of not more than $200,000;
      24. (d) Actions to collect costs of forest fire suppression and other damages resulting from such fires if the total claim does not exceed $200,000;
      25. (e) Actions to collect delinquent operation and maintenance charges accruing on Indian irrigation projects and federal reclamation projects of not more than $200,000; and

      26. (f) Actions to collect loans of money or livestock made by the United States to individual Indians without limitation on amount, including loans made by Indian tribal organizations to individual Indians if the loan agreements, notes and securities have been assigned by the tribal organizations to the United States.

          2. Environmental cases. Pursuant to paragraph 10 of the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (42 FR 48942) with respect to the handling of litigation to which the Environmental Protection Agency is a party, all requests of the Environmental Protection Agency for litigation must be submitted by the Agency through its General Counsel or its Assistant Administrator for Enforcement to the Assistant Attorney General, except that matters requiring an immediate temporary restraining order may be submitted by regional Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency simultaneously to a U.S. Attorney and the Assistant Attorney General. Consequently, except for matters requiring an immediate temporary restraining order, U.S. Attorneys are not authorized to accept on a direct reference basis any matters or cases originating in any office of the Environmental Protection Agency.

          U.S. Attorneys are authorized to act, without prior authorization from the Environment and Natural Resources Division, on behalf of Federal departments or agencies other than the Environmental Protection Agency, in response to a direct request in writing from an authorized field officer of the department or agency concerned, in the following environmental cases:

      27. (a) Civil or criminal actions involving the filling or the deposit of dredged or fill material upon, or the alteration of the channels of, the waters of the United States, in violation of section 10 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403), or of section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1344), or of both statutes;

      28. (b) Civil or criminal actions involving the discharge of refuse into the navigable waters of the United States, and, in certain cases, their tributaries, in violation of section 13 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 407), except for

          1. (i) In rem actions against vessels, which actions shall continue to be handled in the manner set forth in departmental memorandums 374 and 376, dated June 3, 1964, and shall continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Civil Division; and

          2. (ii) Criminal actions involving the discharge either of oil or of hazardous substances, for which discharge a government agency either has imposed a civil penalty pursuant to section 311(b)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(6)), or has under consideration the imposition of such a penalty.

             3. Notification to Division of Direct Referral. In each case referred to the United States Attorneys pursuant to the authority set forth in Subparagraphs 1 and 2 above, the United States Attorney shall, prior to taking action, assure that a copy of the authorized field officer's written request has been forwarded to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC, 20530.

             Section II—Authority To Compromise, Dismiss, or Close Cases

             A. Delegation to Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Subject to the limitations imposed by Paragraph D of this Section, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Environment and Natural Resources Division is hereby authorized, with respect to matters assigned to the Environment and Natural Resources Division, to accept or reject offers in compromise of claims against the United States in which the amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $500,000, and of claims in behalf of the United States in which the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $500,000.

             B. Delegation to Section Chiefs. Subject to the limitations imposed by Paragraph D of this Section, the Chiefs of the Land Acquisition, Indian Claims, Pollution Control, Indian Resources, and General Litigation Sections of the Environment and Natural Resources Division are hereby authorized, with respect to matters assigned to their respective sections, to accept or reject offers in compromise of claims against the United States in which the amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $300,000, and of claims in behalf of the United States in which the gross amount of the original claim does not exceed $300,000.

             C. Delegations to United States Attorneys—1. Compromise of land cases. Subject to the limitations imposed by paragraph D of this section, U.S. Attorneys are authorized, without the prior approval of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, to accept or reject offers in compromise in the direct referral land cases listed in subparagraph A-1 of section I, and in claims against the United States in which the amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $200,000, if the authorized field officer of the interested agency concurs in writing, except that where the United States is a plaintiff, a U.S. Attorney may accept an offer without the concurrence of the field officer if the acceptance is based solely upon the financial circumstances of the debtor.

             2. Compromise of environmental cases. Prior delegations of authority to the U.S. Attorneys to settle any type of case in which the Department of Justice represents the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Administrator or any other official of that Agency, are hereby revoked; all offers in compromise of such cases shall be submitted to the Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, for appropriate action.

             3. Compromise of Condemnation Cases. (a) Subject to the limitations imposed in Paragraph D of this section, United States Attorneys are hereby authorized, without the prior approval of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, to accept or reject offers in compromise of claims against the United States for just compensation in condemnation proceedings in any case in which

          3. (i) The gross amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $100,000; and
          4. (ii) The settlement is approved in writing (the written approval to be retained in the file of the United States Attorney concerned) by the authorized field representative of the acquiring agency if the amount of the settlement exceeds the amount deposited with the declaration of taking as to the particular tract of land involved; and
          5. (iii) The amount of the settlement is compatible with the sound appraisal, or appraisals, upon which the United States would rely as evidence in the event of trial, due regard being had for probable minimum trial costs and risks; and

          6. (iv) The case does not involve the revestment of any land or improvements or any interest, or interests, in land under the Act of October 21, 1942, 56 Stat. 797 (40 U.S.C. 258f). 3(b). When a United States Attorney has settled a condemnation proceeding under the authority conferred upon him by the foregoing subparagraph, he shall promptly secure the entry of judgment and distribution of the award, and shall take all other steps necessary to dispose of the matter completely. The United States Attorney concerned shall also immediately forward to the Department a report, in the form of a letter or memorandum, bearing his signature or showing his personal approval, stating the action taken and containing an adequate statement of the reasons therefor. In routine cases, a form, containing the minimum elements of the required report, may be used in lieu of a letter or memorandum. In any case, special care shall be taken to see that the report contains a statement as to what the valuation testimony of the United States would have been if the case had been tried.

             4. Closing or Dismissal of Matters and Cases. Subject to the limitations imposed in Paragraph D of this section, a direct referral matter described in Section I may be closed without action by the United States Attorney or, if filed in court, may be dismissed by him, if the field officer of the interested agency concurs in writing that it is without merit legally or factually. Except for claims on behalf of Indians or Indian tribes, the United States Attorney may close a claim without consulting the field officer of the interested agency if the claim is for money only and if he concludes (a) that the cost of collection under the circumstances would exceed the amount of the claim, or (b) that the claim is uncollectible. With respect to claims asserted by the United States on behalf of individual Indians or Indian tribes, the United States Attorney may close a claim without consulting the field officer of the interested agency if the claim is for money only and if he concludes that the claim is uncollectible; claims on behalf of Indian individuals and tribes may not be closed merely because the cost of collection might exceed the amount of the claim.

             D. Limitations on delegations. The authority to compromise, close or dismiss cases delegated by Paragraphs A, B and C of this section may not be exercised when,

          7. (a) For any reason, the compromise of a particular claim, as a practical matter, will control or adversely influence the disposition of other claims totaling more than the respective amounts designated above;
          8. (b) Because a novel question of law or a question of policy is presented, or for any other reason, the offer should, in the opinion of the officer or employee concerned, receive the personal attention of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; and

          9. (c) The agency or agencies involved are opposed to the proposed closing or dismissal of a case, or acceptance or rejection of the offer in compromise.

             If any of the conditions listed above exist, the matter shall be submitted for resolution to the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Effective date of this directive. This Directive shall be effective on December 8, 1976.

             [Directive No. 90-50]

             Redelegation of Authority To Initiate and To Compromise Environment and Natural Resources Division Cases

             Pursuant to the authority vested in me by title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and particularly §§ 0.65, 0.65(a), 0.160, 0.162, 0.164, 0.166, 0.168 and 50.7 thereof, I hereby redelegate to the Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section, the following authority to initiate and to compromise Environment and Natural Resources Division cases and to approve Federal Register Notices describing settlements of actions to enjoin discharges of pollutants into the environment.

             Authority To Initiate Cases

             The Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section is hereby authorized to initiate civil actions on behalf of any other department or agency in response to a written request from an authorized official of the department or agency concerned, under the following environmental statutes:

             1. Cases under section 14 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. 136l(a), section 16 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2615(a) and section 309(g)(9) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 309(g)(9), for collection of civil penalties previously assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency in a formal administrative proceeding.

             2. Cases under sections 112 and 113 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412 and 7413 for violations of the national emission standards for asbestos hazardous air pollutants.

             3. Cases under section 311 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1321, for recovery of costs expended by the United States' to remove oil or hazardous substances discharged into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone where such costs do not exceed $1 million, exclusive of interest.

             4. Cases under section 104(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9604(e) to enforce requests for access to information, entry and/or inspection and samples.

             5. Cases under section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607, for recovery of costs of removal or remedial action incurred by the United States where such costs do not exceed $1 million, exclusive of interest.

             Any case initiation under paragraphs 1-5 above, should be referred to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, for approval, whenever the Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section is of the opinion that because of a question of law or policy presented, or for any other reason, the matter should receive the attention of the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Authority To Compromise Cases

             The Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section is hereby authorized to compromise civil claims on behalf of the United States under the following environmental statutes:

             1. Cases under section 14 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. 1361(a), section 16 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2615(a) and section 309(g)(9) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 309(g)(9), for collection of civil penalties previously assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency in a formal administrative proceeding.

             2. Cases under sections 112 and 113 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412 and 7413 for violations of the national emission standards for asbestos hazardous air pollutants.

             3. Cases under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300(f) et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq., and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., where the amount of the civil penalty to be paid to the United States does not exceed $100,000.

             4. Cases under section 311 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1321, for recovery of costs expended by the United States to remove oil or hazardous substances discharged into or upon the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, where such costs do not exceed $1 million, exclusive of interest, and the difference between the United States' claim and the proposed settlement does not exceed $500,000.

             5. Cases under section 104(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9604(e), to enforce requests for access to information, entry and/or inspection and samples.

             6. Cases under section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607, for recovery of costs of removal or remedial action incurred by the United States, where such costs do not exceed $1 million, exclusive of interest, and the difference between the United States' claim and the proposed settlement does not exceed $500,000.

             Any settlement under paragraphs 4 and 6 above, regardless of the amount or circumstances, should be referred to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, when for any reason, the compromise of a particular claim, as a practical matter, will control or adversely influence the disposition of other claims totaling more than $500,000. In addition, any settlement under paragraphs 1-6 above should be referred to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, whenever the Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section is of the opinion that because of a question of law or policy presented, or because of opposition to the proposed settlement by the agency or agencies involved, or for any other reason, the offer should receive the personal attention of the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Authority To Approve Federal Register Notices

             The Section Chief of the Environmental Enforcement Section is hereby authorized to approve all Federal Register Notices under 28 CFR 50.7 and to transmit those notices to the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, for publication.

             Authority of Persons Acting in the Capacity of the Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section

             In the event that another person is acting in the capacity of the Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, that person will have the authority to initiate and to compromise cases under these delegations only if specifically authorized in writing by the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Date of Delegations

             This Directive shall be effective December 24, 1990, and the United States Attorneys' Manual will be revised accordingly.

             [Directive 1-86]

             Pursuant to the authority vested in me under 28 CFR § 16.4(b) and § 16.42(b), I delegate to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General who supervises the Policy, Legislation and Special Litigation Section, or to whoever is acting in that capacity, the authority to grant to deny any request for a record of the Environment and Natural Resources Division made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, or the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a.

             Effective Date: January 9, 1986.

             [Directive 6-85]

             Delegation of Authority to Chief, Land Acquisition Section, To Stipulate or Agree in Behalf of the United States To Exclude Property Taken on Behalf of the United States by Declaration of Taking or Otherwise

             Section 258f of the Declaration of Taking Act, 40 U.S.C. 258a, et seq., contains the following provision:

             In any condemnation proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the United States, the Attorney General is authorized to stipulate or agree in behalf of the United States to exclude any property or any part thereof, or any interest therein, that may have been, or may be, taken by or on behalf of the United States by declaration of taking or otherwise.

             The foregoing authority has been delegated to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, by the Attorney General, chapter I, part O, subpart M, §§ 0.65 and 0.160(a)(2), title 28, Code of Federal Regulations.

             In view of the frequency of agency requests that this office stipulate or agree to exclude property or parts of property taken by declaration of taking or otherwise, and in the interest of efficient administration of the duties and responsibilities of this office, I hereby make the following limited delegation of authority to stipulate or agree to such exclusions (revestments).

             The Chief, Land Acquisition Section, is authorized to stipulate or agree in behalf of the United States to exclude (revest) any property or any part thereof, or any interest therein, that may have been, or may be taken by or on behalf of the United States by declaration of taking or otherwise, when:

             1. The exclusion (revestment) has been requested or approved in writing by a duly authorized officer of the agency for which the property was taken; and

             2. In the case of a partial exclusion (revestment) in connection with an overall settlement of the case, the combined amount of the monetary payment of compensation and the government's appraised value of the land to be excluded (revested) does not exceed the monetary limitation on the Section Chief's settlement authority; or

             3. In the case of an exclusion (revestment) that is not part of an overall settlement of the case, the government's appraised value of the land to be excluded (revested) together with any payment of compensation for possession and/or litigation expenses do not exceed the monetary limitations of the Section Chief's settlement authority.

             Provided that the delegation of settlement authority shall not extend to any revestment which raises precedential questions or policy issues. In such instances, the decision on whether to stipulate or agree to exclusions of property shall remain with the Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Effective Date: February 4, 1985.

             [Directive 6-83]

             By virtue of the authority vested in me by part 0 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations § 0.65, the Section Chief of the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section is now authorized to rule upon petitions for remission or mitigation of civil or criminal forfeitures filed with the Attorney General pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543); the Lacey Act and related provisions (18 U.S.C. 41-44, 47); the Airborne Hunting Act (16 U.S.C. 742j-1); the Migratory Bird Act (16 U.S.C. 701, et seq.); the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d); the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.); the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd, 668ee); the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.); the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.,) the Sockeye Salmon or Pink Salmon Fishing Act (16 U.S.C. 776 et seq.); the Protection of Sea Otters on the High Seas Act (16 U.S.C. 1171 et seq.); the Northern Pacific Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 772 et seq.); and the North Pacific Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.).

             The Section Chief of the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section shall base his decision upon a review of all the pertinent facts including the petition for remission or mitigation, the report and recommendation of the appropriate United States Attorney, the report of the seizing law enforcement agency, and the report prepared within the Section.

             Following the adverse decision a petitioner may request the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division to review the decision of the Section Chief.

             The above directive shall be effective immediately and shall be the interim procedure in effect until promulgation of regulations by the Department of Justice which address the remission and mitigation process in the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

             Effective Date: April 12, 1983.

             [Directive 6-81]

             This directive establishes the Division's policy of notice to appropriate state officials of action against states. The Chief of each section in the Environment and Natural Resources Division shall:

             1. Insure that each attorney in his or her respective section reads, becomes familiar with, and complies with this directive.

             2. In each suit or claim brought against state government, agencies, and entities;

          10. (a) Satisfy the Deputy Assistant Attorney General to whom the section reports of compliance with this directive,
          11. (b) Before such suit or claim is brought, advise the Attorney General and governor of any affected state as to the nature of the contemplated action and the terms of the remedy sought and

          12. (c) Place a memorandum in the file of the case of matter, indicating compliance with this directive.

              Such prior notice may:

              1. (1) Result in settlement of the action in advance of its filing on terms acceptable to the United States,
              2. (2) Permit the state to bring to our attention facts or issues that may change our outlook on the action, or

              3. (3) Permit the State Attorney General and the Governor to respond knowledgeably to inquires from local officials and the media when the action is commenced.

                 Because the actual situation covered by this directive may vary from section to section, no single detailed procedure can be established but common sense should prevail. To that end, the state through its Attorney General and Governor should get fair warning and an opportunity to resolve the litigation. The notice should be given sufficiently in advance of the contemplated action to allow state officials to respond.

                 Where a Section Chief believes he has good cause to seek an exception from the terms of this directive he should discuss the matter with the Deputy Assistant Attorney General to whom he or she reports.

                 Effective Date: April 27, 1981.

                 Attorney General Order No. 1147-86

                 By virtue of the authority vested in the Attorney General by 18 U.S.C. 2254, the Attorney General hereby designates the Postal Service with the authority to conduct civil forfeitures under section 2254 of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act, as amended by the Child Protection of 1984, 18 U.S.C. 2251-2255.

                 In utilizing the authority hereby granted, all rules, regulations, and procedures of the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to the aforementioned Act must be followed, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Manual of Investigative Operations and Guidelines.

                 The authority hereby granted to enforce section 2254 of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act, as amended by the Child Protection Act of 1984, is subject to the direction of the Attorney General.

                 Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting the appendix, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

[34 FR 20388, Dec. 31, 1969]