[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR209.111]

[Page 23]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 209--RAILROAD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart B--Hazardous Materials Penalties
 
Sec. 209.111  Informal response and assessment.

    (a) If a respondent elects to make an informal response to a notice 
of probable violation, respondent shall submit to the Chief Counsel such 
written explanations, information or other materials as respondent may 
desire in answer to the charges or in mitigation of the proposed 
penalty.
    (b) The respondent may include in his or her informal written 
response a request for a conference. Upon receipt of such a request, the 
Chief Counsel arranges for a conference as soon as practicable at a time 
and place of mutual convenience.
    (c) Written explanations, information or materials, submitted by the 
respondent and relevant information presented during any conference held 
under this section are considered by the Chief Counsel in reviewing the 
notice of proposed violation and determining the fact of violation and 
the amount of any penalty to be assessed.
    (d) After consideration of an informal response, including any 
relevant information presented at a conference, the Chief Counsel may 
dismiss the notice of probable violation in whole or in part. If he or 
she does not dismiss it in whole, he or she may issue an order assessing 
a civil penalty.