[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29481]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[FRL-5919-3]


Notice of Extension of Comment Period for the GE-Housatonic Site 
Included in National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste 
Sites, Proposed Rule No. 23

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of extension of comment period for GE-
Housatonic site.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the 
comment period for the GE-Housatonic site in Pittsfield, Massachusetts 
which was proposed to be added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on 
September 25, 1997 (62 FR 50450). The comment period was scheduled to 
end on November 24, 1997. However, due to the unique circumstances 
surrounding the GE-Housatonic site, the comment period will be extended 
until March 1, 1998.
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formed a partnership 
with several state and federal agencies (intergovernmental team) in 
order to achieve a comprehensive solution to the environmental problems 
at the GE/Housatonic River Site in Pittsfield, MA. The 
Intergovernmental Team is comprised of representatives from EPA, the 
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts 
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the Massachusetts Attorney 
General's Office, the Connecticut Department of Environmental 
Protection, the Connecticut Attorney General's Office, the US 
Department of Interior, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States 
Department of Justice. The Intergovernmental Team is attempting to 
negotiate, with General Electric, a comprehensive solution in lieu of 
final listing of the General Electric/Housatonic River Site on the 
National Priorities list. In order to facilitate this intensive and 
comprehensive negotiation, the EPA has decided to extend the public 
comment period until March 1, 1998.
    Numerous parties, including the public, are directly or indirectly 
participating in these negotiations. These parties include the City of 
Pittsfield and other cities and towns downstream of the GE facility, 
environmental and business groups.

DATES: Comments regarding the GE-Housatonic site must be submitted 
(postmarked) on or before March 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES:
    By Mail: Mail original and three copies of comments (no facsimiles 
or tapes) to Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. EPA; CERCLA Docket 
Office; (Mail Code 5201G); 401 M Street, SW; Washington, DC 20460; 703/
603-9232.
    By Federal Express: Send original and three copies of comments (no 
facsimiles or tapes) to Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. EPA; 
CERCLA Docket Office; 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway; Crystal Gateway #1, 
First Floor; Arlington, VA 22202.
    By E-Mail: Comments in ASCII format only may be mailed directly to
[email protected].
E-mailed comments must be followed up by an original and three copies 
sent by mail or Federal Express.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Keidan, State and Site 
Identification Center, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (Mail 
Code 5204G), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, 
Washington, DC, 20460.

    Dated: October 27, 1997.
Stephen D. Luftig,
Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 97-29481 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P