[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 67895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33823]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Settlement Pursuant To The Safe Drinking 
Water Act

    In accordance with Department policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby 
given that on December 4, 1997, a proposed Consent Decree in United 
States v. Gas Transportation Corporation, (N.D.FLA.) (Civil No. 
3:97CV519/LAC), was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of Florida. The United States filed its complaint in 
this action simultaneously with the consent decree, on behalf of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') pursuant to provisions of the 
Safe Drinking Act (``SDWA''), 42 U.S.C. 300h-2(b), and its implementing 
regulations at 40 CFR part 144. The complaint seeks injunctive relief 
and civil penalties for violations of the SDWA. Gas Transportation 
Corporation (``GTC'') owned and operated the ``Finley Heirs'' well, a 
Type II injection well located in Santa Rosa County, Florida, for the 
disposal of saltwater brine generated as an incident of its oil 
production. The United States has alleged that GTC's improper operation 
of the injection well allowed for the movement of contaminants into an 
underground source of drinking water in violation of the Underground 
Injection Control (``UIC'') regulations, its UIC permit and a 
previously issued Administration Order on Consent (``AOC''). Under the 
proposed settlement, GTC will pay $113,700 in civil penalties based on 
its limited financial ability, in resolution of the United States' 
claims as set forth in the complaint.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication comments concerning the proposed 
consent decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney 
General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. 
Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530, and should refer to 
United States v. Gas Transportation Corporation, D.J. ref. 90-5-1-1-
4388.
    The proposed consent decree may be examined at the Office of the 
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, 114 East 
Gregory Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501 and at the Consent Decree 
Library, 1120 G. Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005. A 
copy of the proposed decree may be obtained in person or by mail from 
the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20005. In requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of 
$3.25 ($.025 per page for reproduction costs) payable to: Consent 
Decree Library.
Joel Gross,
Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section Environment & Natural 
Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 97-33823 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
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