[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 214 (Monday, November 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 56707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28156]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Joint Stipulation Pursuant to the Clean 
Water Act

    Consistent with Departmental policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby 
given that a proposed joint stipulation in United States v. Puerto Rico 
Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, Civil Action No. 83-0105(cc), was lodged 
on October 7, 1996 with the United States District Court for the 
District of Puerto Rico. Defendant Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer 
Authority (``PRASA'') is the owner and operator of sewage treatment 
plants throughout Puerto Rico. In operating thirty-one of these 
facilities, PRASA violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (``NPDES'') permits issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act.
    Under the proposed joint stipulation, PRASA commits to a study to 
determine which of the thirty-one wastewater plants still subject to 
the 1985 Order will require advanced wastewater treatment (``AWT'') in 
order to achieve compliance with final NPDES permit limitations and for 
those plants so requiring AWT, a compliance schedule for construction 
of facilities. In addition, PRASA will pay the United States $375,000 
in penalties, thus resolving all outstanding United States claims for 
stipulated penalties for PRASA's violations of the 1985 Order up 
through March 1996. PRASA also agrees to remain in compliance with the 
Clean Water Act and is subject to stipulated penalties for any 
violations of the proposed joint stipulation.
    The Department of Justice will receive, for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication, comments relating to the 
proposed joint stipulation. Comments should be addressed to the 
Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530, and should 
refer to United States v. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, 
D.J. reference #90-5-1-1-1793.
    The proposed joint stipulation may be examined at the Office of the 
United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Federal Office 
Building, Carlos E. Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico; the Region 
II Office of the Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway Avenue, 
New York, New York; 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 joint stipulation may be obtained in person or by mail from 
the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, 
D.C. In requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of 
$3.75 (25 cents per page reproduction costs), payable to the Consent 
Decree Library.
Joel M. Gross,
Chief, Environment Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural 
Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 96-28156 Filed 11-1-96; 8:45 am]
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