Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-00018/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-00018-15/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 42:9607 Real Property Tort to Land

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC CIV. S-02-0018 GEB JFM GGH 

SUBSTANCES CONTROL,

Plaintiff, 

v. ORDER

 

ESTATE OF HERBERT S. MCDUFFEE,

JR., DECEASED; et al.,

Defendants 

 /

On Friday, August 18, 2006, the undersigned met with the “defendant” parties

(includes third party defendants) to discuss further proceedings within the settlement process

order. To date, the vast majority of the remedial investigation has taken place. Final aspects of

that investigation are currently under discussion between DTSC and the defendant parties. 

The Settlement Expert (Clayton) has detailed a cost estimate for finishing up the

investigation as well as penciling out the costs for the risk analysis/feasibility assessment. See

Draft Cost Estimate of August 15, 2006. Because of cost sensitivity to the settlement process,

Clayton will undertake further discussion with DTSC with an aim to reduce, if possible, costs of

activities which are not indispensable to an adequate investigation. The costs predicted from the

Case 2:02-cv-00018-TLN-EFB Document 1004 Filed 08/22/06 Page 1 of 3
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The undersigned has been impressed with Clayton’s professionalism and the work of the

Oversight Committee in shepherding Clayton’s work. Clayton has endeavored to produce a quality

product with a minimum of cost, and the Oversight Committee has spent countless hours attempting

to ensure that result. All parties have benefited because of the logistical work of the Oversight

Committee.

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outset of this process have been significantly exceeded by actual costs of work performed, despite

Clayton’s and the Oversight Committee’s efforts at cost containment, because of facts discovered

at the site during initial stages of the investigation and the need to have a comprehensive (but

sensible) investigation.1

The funds supplied by the parties participating in the settlement process with

which to pay Clayton for further work have been essentially exhausted. The request for a further

$407,041 to perform the further work referenced above must be approved by a two-thirds vote of

the parties participating in the settlement process. While some of that total may be reduced by

further discussions with DTSC, the parties should vote on the proffered figure given, and

adjustments can be made later. The assessment per party would be in the neighborhood of

$15,000 to $16,000.

Accordingly, the defendant parties who are participating within the settlement

process shall transmit their vote to the Oversight Committee with respect to funding the new

monetary request referenced above. Such vote shall be transmitted no later than August 28, 2006. 

The Oversight Committee shall report the results of the vote by e-mail to the undersigned. 

The undersigned will not approve further "investigative" money requests absent

extraordinary circumstances set forth on the record. The undersigned expects the risk analysis/

feasibility assessment to be performed within the cost estimates for those functions.

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The first settlement hearing to apportion costs and determine oversight costs to be

paid, if any, is scheduled for April 17, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. All parties participating in the

settlement process, including DTSC, shall be present. The court will issue further orders in

respect to this conference.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 21, 2006

 s/s Gregory G. Hollows

 GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

 United States Magistrate Judge

Case 2:02-cv-00018-TLN-EFB Document 1004 Filed 08/22/06 Page 3 of 3