Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Title II of the Clean Air Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Title II of the

Clean Air Act

Notice is hereby given that on September 30, 1999 to proposed

Consent Decree (``Decree'') in United States v. Mazda Motor of America,

Inc., Civil No. 1:99CV02618 (D.D.C.), was lodged with the United States

District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States filed

this action pursuant to Title II of the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42

U.S.C. 7521 et seq., (the ``Act''), and the regulations promulgated

thereunder, relating to fuel evaporative emission standards applicable

to new motor vehicles, and specifically the requirements that a

manufacturer promptly report emission-related defects to EPA.

The Decree resolves civil claims against Mazda Motor of America,

Inc. and Mazda (North America) Inc. (collectively ``Mazda'') that Mazda

failed to timely notify EPA of an emission-related defect in the

device, system, or assembly of a fuel liquid/vapor separator (``vapor

separator'') installed on 1989 to 1994 model year Mazda MPV minivans

sold in the United States. Pursuant to the terms of the Decree, Mazda

will: modify its defect investigation and reporting system; provide an

extended warranty to vehicle owners; and notify all affected vehicle

owners that they can have their MPVs repaired free of charge, and

before the defective part might fail. The decree imposes a civil

penalty in the amount of $900,000.

The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30)

days from the date of this publication comments relating to the Decree.

Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General of the

Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice,

Washington, DC 20530, and should refer to, United States v. Mazda Motor

of America, Inc., Civil No. 1:99CV02618 (D.C.C.), and D.J. Ref. # 90-5-

2-1-06038.

[[Page 58445]]

The Decree may be examined at the office of the U.S. Attorney for

the District of Columbia, 555 Fourth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.

A copy of the Decree may be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree

Library, 13th Floor, 1425 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. In

requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of $14.50 for

the Decree (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the Consent

Decree Library.

Walker B. Smith,

Deputy Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and

Natural Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 99-28292 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-15-M