Notice of Proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement Under the

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

Notice is hereby given that a proposed Prospective Purchaser

Agreement (``PPA'') was executed on August 12, 1998, by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA''), and is subject to final

approval by the U.S. Department of Justice. The proposed PPA would

resolve certain potential claims under Sections 106 and 107 of the

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act,

42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, against P.O'B Libby, L.P. and Albertson's,

Inc., as the prospective purchasers of approximately 13 acres of land

(the ``Property'') within the boundaries of the Libby Groundwater

Superfund Site located in Lincoln County, Montana. The PPA would

require P.O'B Libby, L.P. and Albertson's, Inc. (the ``prospective

purchasers'') to pay EPA $4,000 to defray EPA's administrative and

oversight costs in connection with the PPA. The prospective purchasers

would also be obligated to perform certain environmental work at the

Property, including the proper abandonment of one of the groundwater

monitoring wells in accordance with the requirements of the State of

Montana, and the modification of four groundwater monitoring wells to

protect them from traffic and pedestrian damage. The PPA would further

require the prospective purchasers to provide access to the Property to

the United States for the implementation of response actions by or at

the direction of EPA at the Libby Groundwater Superfund Site.

EPA will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of

this publication comments relating to the PPA. Comments should be

addressed to Jim Harris, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Region VIII, Montana Operations Office, Federal

Building, 301 South Park, Drawer 10096, Helena, MT 59626-0096.

The proposed PPA may be examined at the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Region VIII, Montana Operations Office, Federal

Building, 301 South Park, Drawer 10096, Helena, MT 59626-0096. A copy

of the proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement may be obtained in

person, by mail from, or by calling Jim Harris, Remedial Project

Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Montana

Operations Office, Federal Building, 301 South Park, Drawer 10096,

Helena, MT 59626-0096, telephone number (406) 441-1150, extension 260.

Walker B. Smith,

Deputy Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and

Natural Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 98-25284 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-15-M