Pollution control; consent judgments: Montrose Chemical Corp. of California et al.,

[Federal Register: December 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 231)]

[Notices]

[Page 66582]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr02de98-94]

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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

Notice is hereby given that two proposed consent decrees in United States, et al. v. Montrose Chemical Corporation of California, et al., No. CV 90-3122-AAH (C.D. Cal), were lodged on November 16, 1998 with the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The consent decrees resolve claims under Section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9607, as amended, brought against defendant CBS Corporation (formerly Westinghouse Electric Corporation) and against Potlatch Corporation and Simpson Paper Company, for natural resource damages associated with contamination of sediments on the Palos Verdes shelf in the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, and for response costs incurred and to be incurred by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in connection with responding to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances at the Montrose Chemical National Priorities List Site in Torrance, CA, and at the aforementioned Palos Verdes shelf.

One proposed consent decree provides that CBS will pay $9.5 million to resolve its liability to the United States and State of California for natural resource damages and response costs as described above. The second proposed consent decree provides that Potlatch and Simpson will pay $12 million to resolve their liability to the United States and State of California for natural resource damages and response costs as described above. Both proposed consent decrees include a covenant not to sue by the United States under Sections 106 and 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, and under Section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (``RCRA''), 42 U.S.C. 6973.

The Department of Justice will receive, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication, comments relating to the proposed consent decrees. Commenters may request an opportunity for a public meeting in the affected area, in accordance with Section 7003(d) of RCRA. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530, and should refer to United States, et al. v. Montrose Chemical Corporation of California, et al., No. CV 90- 3122-AAH (C.D. Cal), DOJ Ref. #90-11-3-159 and DOJ Ref. #90-11-3-511.

The proposed consent decrees may be examined at the office of the United States Attorney, Central District of California, Federal Building, 300 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; the Region IX Office of the Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; and at the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 624-0892. A copy of either proposed consent decree may be obtained in person or by mail from the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20005. In requesting copies please refer to the referenced case and enclose a check in the amount of $67.00 (25 cents per page reproduction costs), payable to the Consent Decree Library. Joel Gross, Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 98-32030Filed12-1-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-15-M