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d departure may be warranted. See §5K2.3 (Extreme Psychological Injury).
(C) Terrorism.If the offense was calculated to influence or affect the conduct of
government by intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct, an
upward departure would be warranted. See Application Note 4 of the Commentary to
§3A1.4 (Terrorism).
Background: This section applies both to substantive violations of the statute governing the handling
of pesticides and toxic and hazardous substances and to recordkeeping offenses. The first four
specific offense characteristics provide enhancements when the offense involved a substantive
violation. The last two specific offense characteristics apply to recordkeeping offenses. Although
other sections of the guidelines generally prescribe a base offense level of 6 for regulatory violations,
§2Q1.2 prescribes a base offense level of 8 because of the inherently dangerous nature of hazardous
and toxic substances and pesticides. A decrease of 2 levels is provided, however, for "simple
recordkeeping or reporting violations" under §2Q1.2(b)(6).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendment 481); November 1,
1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 553); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 672).
§2Q1.3 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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§2Q1.3. Mishandling of Other Environmental Pollutants; Recordkeeping, Tampering, and
Falsification
(a) Base Offense Level: 6
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) (A) If the offense resulted in an ongoing, continuous, or repetitive
discharge, release, or emission of a pollutant into the
environment, increase by 6 levels; or
(B) if the offense otherwise involved a discharge, release, or
emission of a pollutant, increase by 4 levels.
(2) If the offense resulted in a substantial likelihood of death or serious
bodily injury, increase by 11 levels.
(3) If the offense resulted in disruption of public utilities or evacuation of a
community, or if cleanup required a substantial expenditure, increase by
4 levels.
(4) If the offense involved a discharge without a permit or in violation of a
permit, increase by 4 levels.
(5) If a recordkeeping offense reflected an effort to conceal a substantive
environmental offense, use the offense level for the substantive offense.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 33 U.S.C. §§ 403, 406, 407, 411, 1319(c)(1), (c)(2), 1415(b), 1907, 1908;
42 U.S.C. § 7413. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1. "Recordkeeping offense" includes both recordkeeping and reporting offenses. The term is to
be broadly construed as including failure to report discharges, releases, or emissions where
required; the giving of false information; failure to file other required reports or provide
necessary information; and failure to prepare, maintain, or provide records as prescribed.
2. If the offense involved mishandling of nuclear material, apply §2M6.2 (Violation of Other
Federal Atomic Energy Agency Statutes, Rules, and Regulations) rather than this guideline.
3. The specific offense characteristics in this section assume knowing conduct. In cases involving
negligent conduct, a downward departure may be warranted.
4. Subsection (b)(1) assumes a discharge or emission into the environment resulting in actual
environmental contamination. A wide range of conduct, involving the handling of different
quantities of materials with widely differing propensities, potentially is covered. Depending
upon the harm resulting from the emission, release or discharge, the quantity and nature of the
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2Q1.6
281
substance or pollutant, the duration of the offense and the risk associated with the violation,
a departure of up to two levels in either direction from that prescribed in these specific offense
characteristics may be appropriate.
5. Subsection (b)(2) applies to offenses where the public health is seriously endangered.
Depending upon the nature of the risk created and the number of people placed at risk, a
departure of up to three levels upward or downward may be warranted. If death or serious
bodily injury results, a departure would be called for. See Chapter Five, Part K (Departures).
6. Subsection (b)(3) provides an enhancement where a public disruption, evacuation or cleanup
at substantial expense has been required. Depending upon the nature of the contamination
involved, a departure of up to two levels in either direction could be warranted.
7. Subsection (b)(4) applies where the offense involved violation of a permit, or where there was
a failure to obtain a permit when one was required. Depending upon the nature and quantity
of the substance involved and the risk associated with the offense, a departure of up to two
levels in either direction may be warranted.
8. Where a defendant has previously engaged in similar misconduct established by a civil
adjudication or has failed to comply with an administrative order, an upward departure may
be warranted. See §4A1.3 (Adequacy of Criminal History Category).
Background: This section parallels §2Q1.2 but applies to offenses involving substances which are
not pesticides and are not designated as hazardous or toxic.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 205).
§2Q1.4. Tampering or Attempted Tampering with a Public Water System; Threatening to
Tamper with a Public Water System
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):
(1) 26;
(2) 22, if the offense involved (A) a threat to tamper with a public water
system; and (B) any conduct evidencing an intent to carry out the threat;
or
(3) 16, if the offense involved a threat to tamper with a public water system
but did not involve any conduct evidencing an intent to carry out the
threat.
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) If (A) any victim sustained permanent or life-threatening bodily injury,
increase by 4 levels; (B) any victim sustained serious bodily injury,
increase by 2 levels; or (C) the degree of injury is between that specified
in subdivisions (A) and (B), increase by 3 levels.
§2Q1.4 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
282
(2) If the offense resulted in (A) a substantial disruption of public,
governmental, or business functions or services; or (B) a substantial
expenditure of funds to clean up, decontaminate, or otherwise respond to
the offense, increase by 4 levels.
(3) If the offense resulted in an ongoing, continuous, or repetitive release of
a contaminant into a public water system or lasted for a substantial period
of time, increase by 2 levels.
(c) Cross References
(1) If the offense resulted in death, apply §2A1.1 (First Degree Murder) if the
death was caused intentionally or knowingly, or §2A1.2 (Second Degree
Murder) in any other case, if the resulting offense level is greater than that
determined above.
(2) If the offense was tantamount to attempted murder, apply §2A2.1 (Assault
with Intent to Commit Murder; Attempted Murder) if the resulting offense
level is greater than that determined above.
(3) If the offense involved extortion, apply §2B3.2 (Extortion by Force or
Threat of Injury or Serious Damage) if the resulting offense level is
greater than that determined above.
(d) Special Instruction
(1) If the defendant is convicted of a single count involving (A) the death or
permanent, life-threatening, or serious bodily injury of more than one
victim; or (B) conduct tantamount to the attempted murder of more than
one victim, Chapter Three, Part D (Multiple Counts) shall be applied as
if the defendant had been convicted of a separate count for each such
victim.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 42 U.S.C. § 300i-1.
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.For purposes of this guideline,"permanent or life-threatening bodily injury" and
"serious bodily injury" have the meaning given those terms in Note 1 of the Commentary to
§1B1.1 (Application Instructions).
2. Application of Special Instruction.Subsection (d) applies in any case in which the defendant
is convicted of a single count involving (A) the death or permanent, life-threatening, or serious
bodily injury of more than one victim; or (B) conduct tantamount to the attempted murder of
more than one victim, regardless of whether the offense level is determined under this guideline
or under another guideline in Chapter Two (Offense Conduct) by use of a cross reference under
subsection (c).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2Q1.6
283
3. Departure Provisions.
(A) Downward Departure Provision.The base offense level in subsection (a)(1) reflects
that offenses covered by that subsection typically pose a risk of death or serious bodily
injury to one or more victims, or cause, or are intended to cause, bodily injury. In the
unusual case in which such an offense did not cause a risk of death or serious bodily
injury, and neither caused nor was intended to cause bodily injury, a downward
departure may be warranted.
(B) Upward Departure Provisions.If the offense caused extreme psychological injury, or
caused substantial property damage or monetary loss, an upward departure may be
warranted.
If the offense was calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by
intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct, an upward
departure would be warranted. See Application Note 4 of §3A1.4 (Terrorism).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 206); November 1,
2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 655).
§2Q1.5. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 207), was deleted by
consolidation with §2Q1.4 effective November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 655).
§2Q1.6. Hazardous or Injurious Devices on Federal Lands
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):
(1) If the intent was to violate the Controlled Substance Act, apply §2D1.9
(Placing or Maintaining Dangerous Devices on Federal Property to
Protect the Unlawful Production of Controlled Substances; Attempt or
Conspiracy);
(2) If the intent was to obstruct the harvesting of timber, and property
destruction resulted, apply §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and
Fraud);
(3) If the offense involved reckless disregard to the risk that another person
would be placed in danger of death or serious bodily injury under
circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to such risk, the offense
level from §2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault); or
(4) 6, otherwise.
Commentary
§2Q1.4 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
284
Statutory Provision: 18 U.S.C. § 1864.
Background: The statute covered by this guideline proscribes a wide variety of conduct, ranging
from placing nails in trees to interfere with harvesting equipment to placing anti-personnel devices
capable of causing death or serious bodily injury to protect the unlawful production of a controlled
substance. Subsections (a)(1)-(a)(3) cover the more serious forms of this offense. Subsection (a)(4)
provides a minimum offense level of 6 where the intent was to obstruct the harvesting of timber and
little or no property damage resulted.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 208). Amended effective November 1, 1990 (see Appendix
C, amendment 313); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 617); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 646).
* * * * *
2. CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE
§2Q2.1. Offenses Involving Fish, Wildlife, and Plants
(a) Base Offense Level: 6
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) If the offense (A) was committed for pecuniary gain or otherwise
involved a commercial purpose; or (B) involved a pattern of similar
violations, increase by 2 levels.
(2) If the offense (A) involved fish, wildlife, or plants that were not
quarantined as required by law; or (B) otherwise created a significant risk
of infestation or disease transmission potentially harmful to humans, fish,
wildlife, or plants, increase by 2 levels.
(3) (If more than one applies, use the greater):
(A) If the market value of the fish, wildlife, or plants (i) exceeded
$2,000 but did not exceed $5,000, increase by 1 level; or (ii)
exceeded $5,000, increase by the number of levels from the
table in §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud)
corresponding to that amount; or
(B) If the offense involved (i) marine mammals that are listed as
depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (as set forth
in 50 C.F.R. § 216.15); (ii) fish, wildlife, or plants that are listed
as endangered or threatened by the Endangered Species Act (as
set forth in 50 C.F.R. Part 17); or (iii) fish, wildlife, or plants that
are listed in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna or Flora (as set forth in 50
C.F.R. Part 23), increase by 4 levels.
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2Q1.6
285
(c) Cross Reference
(1) If the offense involved a cultural heritage resource, apply §2B1.5 (Theft
of, Damage to, or Destruction of, Cultural Heritage Resources; Unlawful
Sale, Purchase, Exchange, Transportation, or Receipt of Cultural Heritage
Resources), if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined
above.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 16 U.S.C. §§ 668(a), 707(b), 1174(a), 1338(a), 1375(b), 1540(b), 3373(d);
18 U.S.C. § 545. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Notes:
1. "For pecuniary gain" means for receipt of, or in anticipation of receipt of, anything of value,
whether monetary or in goods or services. Thus, offenses committed for pecuniary gain
include both monetary and barter transactions. Similarly, activities designed to increase gross
revenue are considered to be committed for pecuniary gain.
2. The acquisition of fish, wildlife, or plants for display to the public, whether for a fee or
donation and whether by an individual or an organization, including a governmental entity, a
private non-profit organization, or a private for-profit organization, shall be considered to
involve a "commercial purpose."
3. For purposes of subsection (b)(2), the quarantine requirements include those set forth in
9 C.F.R. Part 92, and 7 C.F.R. Chapter III. State quarantine laws are included as well.
4. When information is reasonably available, "market value" under subsection (b)(3)(A) shall be
based on the fair-market retail price. Where the fair-market retail price is difficult to ascertain,
the court may make a reasonable estimate using any reliable information, such as the
reasonable replacement or restitution cost or the acquisition and preservation (e.g., taxidermy)
cost. Market value, however, shall not be based on measurement of aesthetic loss (so called
"contingent valuation" methods).
5. If the offense involved the destruction of a substantial quantity of fish, wildlife, or plants, and
the seriousness of the offense is not adequately measured by the market value, an upward
departure may be warranted.
6. For purposes of subsection (c)(1), "cultural heritage resource" has the meaning given that term
in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to §2B1.5 (Theft of, Damage to, or Destruction of,
Cultural Heritage Resources; Unlawful Sale, Purchase, Exchange, Transportation, or Receipt
of Cultural Heritage Resources).
Background: This section applies to violations of the Endangered Species Act, the Bald Eagle
Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Wild Free-
Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the Fur Seal Act, the Lacey Act, and to violations of 18 U.S.C.
§ 545 where the smuggling activity involved fish, wildlife, or plants.
§2Q2.1 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
286
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 41); November 1, 1989
(see Appendix C, amendments 209 and 210); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 407); November 1, 1992 (see Appendix
C, amendment 452); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 534); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 617);
November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 638).
§2Q2.2. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2Q2.2 (Lacey Act; Smuggling and Otherwise Unlawfully Dealing in Fish, Wildlife, and Plants), effective
November 1, 1987, was deleted by consolidation with §2Q2.1 effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 209).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2R1.1
287
PART R - ANTITRUST OFFENSES
§2R1.1. Bid-Rigging, Price-Fixing or Market-Allocation Agreements Among Competitors
(a) Base Offense Level: 12
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) If the conduct involved participation in an agreement to submit noncompetitive
bids, increase by 1 level.
(2) If the volume of commerce attributable to the defendant was more than
$1,000,000, adjust the offense level as follows:
Volume of Adjustment to
Commerce (Apply the Greatest) Offense Level
(A) More than $1,000,000 add 2
(B) More than $10,000,000 add 4
(C) More than $40,000,000 add 6
(D) More than $100,000,000 add 8
(E) More than $250,000,000 add 10
(
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