Notice of Lodging of Settlement Agreement Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Settlement Agreement Pursuant to the

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

Notice is hereby given that a proposed Settlement Agreement in In

re: The Parson's Company, Case No. 82 B 751, was lodged with the United

States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, on

August 27, 1996, among the United States, on behalf of the

Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA''), the State of Illinois, and

the debtor. The United States filed an application for reimbursement of

administrative expenses against the debtor in the action for the

debtor's liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation and Liability Act (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et

seq., for investigation and clean-up costs at the debtor's property, in

Belvidere, Illinois. The State also filed a claim against the debtor

for the State's own clean-up costs. Under the Settlement Agreement, the

debtor will pay the United States and the State, in equal shares, the

assets remaining in the estate after payment of professionals' fees and

taxes. The Settlement Agreement includes a covenant not to sue by the

United States under Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C.

Secs. 9606 and 9607, and under Section 7003 of the Resource

Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6973 (``RCRA'').

The Department of Justice will receive comments relating to the

proposed Settlement Agreement for a period of 30 days from the date of

this publication. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant

Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division,

Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530. All comments should

refer to In re: The Parson's Company, D.J. Ref. 90-11-2-891. Commenters

may request an opportunity for a public hearing in the affected area,

in accordance with Section 7003(d) of RCRA.

[[Page 46826]]

The proposed Settlement Agreement may be examined at the office of

the Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Boulevard,

Chicago, Illinois, 60604, 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 Settlement Agreement may be obtained in person or by

mail from the Consent Decree Library. In requesting a copy, please

enclose a check in the amount of $3.25 for the Agreement (25 cents per

page reproduction costs) payable to the Consent Decree Library. When

requesting a copy, please refer to In re: The Parson's Company, D.J.

Ref. No. 90-11-2-891.

Bruce S. Gelber,

Deputy Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment

and Natural Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 96-22551 Filed 9-4-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-01-M