[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 81 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18412-18413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10267]



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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

    Notice is hereby given that a proposed partial consent decree in 
United States v. Torger L. Oaas, et al., Civil Action No. 90-75-BU-PGH 
(D. Montana), was lodged on March 3, 1996 with the United States 
District Court for the district of Montana, Butte Division. The 
proposed partial consent decree resolves the United States' claims for 
response costs at the Montana Pole and Treating Plant Superfund Site 
pursuant to Sections 107 and 113(g) of the comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (``CERCLA''), as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 9607 and 9613(g). Under the terms of the Consent 
Decree, the Settling Defendants, the Atlantic Richfield Company, the 
Burlington Northern Railroad Company, Inland Properties, Inc., Montana 
Resources, Inc., and Dennis R. Washington will pay the

[[Page 18413]]

United States the sum of $2,700,000 in settlement of the United States' 
past response cost claims and $35,070,000 in future response costs 
incurred and to be incurred by the United States and the State of 
Montana for the cleanup of contaminated soils and groundwater at the 
Montana Pole and Treating Plant Superfund Site (the ``Site'') located 
near Butte, Montana. Future costs are estimated to be $35 million. The 
Consent Decree provides for a reopener if these costs exceed $41 
million. This proposed decree also settles counter claims brought by 
defendants against the United States and defendants' CERCLA Section 107 
and 113 claims against the Environmental Protection Agency's response 
action contractors, Riedel Environmental Services, Inc. and Roy F. 
Weston, Inc.
    The Department of Justice will receive, for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication, comments relating to the 
proposed partial consent decree. Comments should be addressed to the 
Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530, and should 
refer to United States v. Torger L. Oaas, et al., Civil Action No. 90-
75-BU-PGH (D. Montana), DOJ Ref. #90-11-2-429. Commenters may request 
an opportunity for a public meeting in the affected area, in accordance 
with Section 7003(d) of RCRA.
    The proposed consent decree may be examined at the United States 
Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, 
Denver Field Office, 999 18th Street, North Tower Suite 945, Denver, 
Colorado, 80202 and at the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, N.W., 
4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202-624-0892. A copy of the proposed 
partial consent decree may be obtained in person or by mail from the 
Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, 
D.C. 20005. In requesting a copy, please refer to the referenced case 
and enclose a check in the amount of $20.50 (25 cents per page 
reproduction costs), payable to the Consent Decree Library. Attachments 
to the proposed partial consent decree can be obtained for the 
additional amount of $46.75.
Joel M. Gross,
Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section.
[FR Doc. 96-10267 Filed 4-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-01-M