(a) General. The authorized Forest Service officer shall refer actions to the Compliance Officer for a determination of material noncompliance when the operator or lessee has failed or refused to:

(1) Comply with necessary corrective actions directed according to the procedures in § 228.112 in cases where the noncompliance resulted in danger to public health or safety; caused irreparable resource damage; or resulted in an emergency;

(2) Complete reclamation;

(3) Maintain an additional bond in the amount required by the authorized Forest Service officer during the period of operation; and

(4) Reimburse the Forest Service in a timely manner for the cost of abating an emergency.

(b) Compliance Officer determination of material noncompliance. When determining whether an operator or lessee has failed or refused to comply in a material respect with reclamation requirements or other requirements or standards identified in paragraph (a) of this section, the Compliance Officer shall:

(1) Inform the operator or lessee by certified mail of the authorized Forest Service officer's material noncompliance referral and the Compliance Officer's intent to proceed with a material noncompliance review.

(2) Inform the operator or lessee of the opportunity to submit a written response to the referral and/or to request an oral presentation with the Compliance Officer within 30 calendar days of receipt of the certified letter.

(3) Ensure that:

(i) Opportunities for corrective action according to § 228.112(b) have been pursued;

(ii) Consideration is given to the status of any noncompliance referrals sent to the Bureau of Land Management for action per § 228.112(e); and

(iii) Consideration is given to the seriousness of the effects caused by the operator's failure or refusal to comply.

(4) Consider any pending judicial or administrative appeals involving the operator, including those within the purview of the Bureau of Land Management.

(5) Notify the operator or lessee by certified mail of the outcome of the material noncompliance referral review. If material noncompliance was determined, the notice shall inform the operator that the Bureau of Land Management may not issue a lease or approve the assignment of any lease to the entity. The notification shall also state that the decision is the final administrative determination of the Department of Agriculture.

(c) Notifying the Bureau of Land Management. Upon completion of a material noncompliance review, the Compliance Officer shall notify the Bureau of Land Management in writing of the outcome of the review.

(d) Notification that material compliance has occurred. If an entity found to be in material noncompliance subsequently comes into material compliance with reclamation requirements or other requirements or standards identified in paragraph (a) of this section, the Compliance Officer shall advise the Bureau of Land Management that the entity has come into material compliance.