[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10582-10583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5555]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[FRL-5973-7]


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; 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 was extended 
until March 1, 1998 (62 FR 60199, November 7, 1997). This new document 
further extends the comment period until May 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. March 30, 1998, has now been set as the 
appropriate deadline for concluding negotiations. In order to 
facilitate this intensive and comprehensive negotiation, the EPA has 
decided to extend the public comment period until May 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. It is EPA's view that the added time 
for comments will improve the quality of comments eventually submitted.

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

ADDRESSES: By Postal 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 Overnight Mail: Send original and three copies of comments (no 
facsimiles or tapes) to Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. EPA; 
CERCLA Docket Office; 1235 Jefferson Davis

[[Page 10583]]

Highway; Crystal Gateway #1, First Floor; Arlington, VA 22202.
    By E-Mail: Comments in ASCII format only may be mailed directly to 
SUPERFUND.DOCKET@ EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV. 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; telephone (703) 603-8852.

    Dated: February 24, 1998.
Larry G. Reed,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 98-5555 Filed 3-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U