Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Comprehensive

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980

Consistent with Departmental Policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby

given that on January 13, 1997, a proposed consent decree in United

States of America v. Monsanto Company, et al., Civil Action No. 97-110

(DRD), was lodged with the United States District Court for the

District of New Jersey. The United States' complaint sought recovery of

response costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq.,

against three corporations responsible for hazardous substances found

at the White Chemical Corporation Superfund Site located at 660

Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, New Jersey.

The consent decree provides that the settling defendants will

reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for $600,000 in

past response costs incurred by the United States in connection with

the White Chemical Corporation Superfund Site. In addition, the consent

decree provides that the defendants will dismiss their petitions

submitted to EPA pursuant to Section 106(b)(2)(A) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C.

9606(b)(2)(A), for reimbursement of costs of compliance with an

administrative order issued by EPA Region II under CERCLA Section

106(a).

The Department of Justice will receive comments relating to the

proposed consent decree for a period of thirty (30) days from the date

of this publication. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant

Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division,

Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530 and should refer to

United States v. Monsanto Company et al., D.J. Ref. 90-11-2-642A.

The proposed consent decree may be examined at the office of the

United States Attorney, 970 Broad St., Room 502, Newark, N.J. 07102 and

at the Region II office of the Environmental Protection Agency, 26

Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278. The proposed consent decree

may also be examined at the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street,

N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 (202-624-0892). A copy of the

proposed 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 enclose a check in the amount

of $4.50 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the ``Consent

Decree Library.''

Bruce S. Gelber,

Deputy Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and

Natural Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 97-2660 Filed 2-3-97; 8:45 am]

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