[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27338]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 4, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
 

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Oil Pollution 
Act

    In accordance with Department of Justice Policy, 28 C.F.R. 
Sec. 50.7, 38 Fed. Reg. 19029, notice is hereby given that on October 
14, 1994, a complaint was filed and proposed consent decree was lodged 
with the United States District Court for the Western District of 
Washington in United States v. Maruha Corp., et al., Civil No. 94-1537. 
The proposed consent decree settles claims asserted by the United 
States at the request of the United States Coast Guard, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of the Interior, 
and by the State of Washington and Makah Indian Tribe, for an oil spill 
off the coast of Washington in July 1991. The defendants are Maruha 
Corp., Japan Ship Owners' Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association, 
Tianjin Ocean Shipping Company, China Ocean Shipping Company, United 
Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Ltd. and the 
M/V TUO HAI.
    In the complaint, the United States, State of Washington and Makah 
Indian Tribe asserted claims against the defendants pursuant to 
sections 1002 and 1015 of the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec. 2702 and 2715, as well as the maritime tort law, for recovery 
of cleanup costs and natural resource damages. The United States also 
sought a civil penalty under section 311(b) of the Clean Water Act, 33 
U.S.C. Sec. 1321(b). The State of Washington asserted claims under Ch. 
90.48 and 90.56 RCW for cleanup costs, injury to resources of the State 
and civil penalties.
    Pursuant to the consent decree, the settling defendants have agreed 
to pay $9 million to the plaintiffs. The U.S. Coast Guard will receive 
$3 million in reimbursement of cleanup costs and a $500,000 civil 
penalty. The United States, State of Washington and Makah Indian Tribe 
will receive over $5.5 million for natural resource damages and 
reimbursement of damage assessment costs.
    The Department of Justice will receive written comments relating to 
the proposed Consent Decree for thirty (30) days from the date of 
publication of this notice. Comments should be addressed to the 
Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530, and should 
refer to United States v. Maruha Corp., et al., D.J. Ref. No. 90-11-3-
829.
    A copy of the Consent Decree may be obtained in person or by mail 
from the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, NW., 4th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20005, (202) 624-0892. In requesting copies, please 
enclose a check in the amount of $8.25 (25 cents per page reproduction 
cost) payable to the ``Consent Decree Library.''
Bruce Gelber,
Acting Chief, Environment & Natural Resources Divison.
[FR Doc. 94-27338 Filed 11-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-01-M