[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 15 (Monday, January 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3738-3739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1612]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Oil Pollution 
Act of 1990

    Notice is hereby given that a proposed consent decree in the action 
entitled United States v. Amity Products Carriers, Inc., Civil Action 
No. 00-11-P-H, was lodged on January 7, 2000, with the United States 
District Court for the District of Maine. The proposed consent decree 
resolves the claims of the United States under Section 1002(b)(2)(A) of 
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (``OPA''), 33 U.S.C. Sec. 2702(b)(2)(A), 
against Amity Products Carriers, Inc. (``Settling Defendant''), in 
connection with the oil spill that occurred, on September 27, 1996, as 
a result of the collision of the Tank Vessel Julie N with the Million 
Dollar Bridge spanning the Fore River from Portland to South Portland, 
Maine, which resulted in the discharge of oil into the Fore River. The 
proposed consent decree also resolves the claims of the United States 
against Maritime Overseas Corporation, OSG Ship Management, Inc., as 
well as the officers, directors, and employees of those companies, as 
well as of the Settling Defendant, to the extent that their liability 
arises from actions taken in their official capacities as officers, 
directors, and employees of these corporations. The proposed settlement 
resolves the claims filed in a complaint on January 7, 2000. The 
complaint alleges, pursuant to Section 1002(b)(2)(A) of OPA, 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. 2702(b)(2)(A), that Settling Defendant, the owner of the Julie N 
at the time of the spill, is liable for damages for injury to, 
destruction of, loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources, 
including the reasonable costs of assessing the damage. The proposed 
consent decree also resolves the claims of the State of Maine set forth 
in a similar complaint filed on January 7, 2000. See State of Maine v. 
Amity Products Carriers, Inc., Civil Action No. 00-12-P-H.
    Pursuant to the proposed consent decree, the Settling Defendant 
will make a payment of $1 million to the Julie N Oil Spill Restoration 
Account, which shall be used by Federal and State natural resource 
trustees to plan,

[[Page 3739]]

implement or oversee restoration of the natural resources injured by 
the Julie N spill in accordance with the Restoration Plan attached as 
Appendix B to the proposed consent decree. Pursuant to the Restoration 
Plan, the Trustees will use the funds to implement and oversee three 
restoration projects: a project intended to reduce the discharge of oil 
and grease from the streets of Portland into the Fore River, a project 
that will enhance a portion of the Scarborough Marsh, and a project 
that will involve the construction of a one-mile segment of a larger 
trail system in Portland. The Settling Defendant has already paid the 
trustees their costs of assessment, including $410,000 to the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, $53,057.09 to U.S. Department 
of the Interior, and $24,531.79 to the State of Maine.
    The Settling Defendant has agreed not to file claims against the 
United States in connection with the Julie N spill, but has reserved 
the right to submit claims for removal costs or damages with the Oil 
Spill Liability Trust Fund under Section 1013 of OPA, 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. 2713, to the extent permitted by Section 1008 of OPA, 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. 2708.
    The Department of Justice will receive, for a period of forty-five 
(45) days from the date of this publication, comments relating to the 
proposed consent decree, including comments concerning the Restoration 
Plan attached as Appendix B to the proposed consent decree. Any 
comments should be addressed to Lois J. Schiffer, Assistant Attorney 
General, U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resource 
Division, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, D.C. 20044. Comments should state 
``Attention: Don Frankel'' and refer to United States v. Amity Products 
Carriers, Inc., DOJ Ref. Number 90-5-1-1-4390.
    The proposed consent decree may be examined at the offices of the 
United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, East Tower, 
Sixth Floor, One Hundred Middle Street Plaza, Portland, ME 04101 
(contact David Collins, 207-780-3257). A copy of the proposed consent 
decree may be obtained by mail from the Department of Justice Consent 
Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, D.C. 20044. In requesting a 
copy, please refer to the referenced case and enclose a check in the 
amount of $18.00 (25 cents per page reproduction costs).

Bruce Gelber,
Deputy Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 00-1612 Filed 1-21-00; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M