[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 41071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16762]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6728-5]


Notice of Proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreements Pursuant to 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability 
Act of 1980, as Amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization 
Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund 
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 
9601-9675, notice is hereby given that two identical proposed 
prospective purchaser agreements (``Purchaser Agreements'') associated 
with the Sharon Steel Farrell Works Superfund Site (``Site'') in 
Farrell, Pennsylvania, have been executed by the Environmental 
Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. The prospective 
purchasers, Shenango Valley Manufacturing Company (``SVMC'') and 
Farrell Slag, Inc. (``Farrell Slag'') competed at a bankruptcy auction 
sale by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of 
Pennsylvania to purchase approximately 200 acres of the Sharon Steel 
Farrell Works Superfund Site (``Site''). Sharon Steel Corporation 
presently owns the Site and is liquidating its assets pursuant to 
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Farrell Slag bid successfully for 
the property. SVMC was the second highest bidder. Pursuant to the 
bankruptcy sale, if Farrell Slag is unable to complete the purchase of 
the property, it will be conveyed to the next highest bidder, SVMC. 
Since it is acceptable to EPA for either Farrell Slag or SVMC to 
acquire the property, EPA is proposing Purchaser Agreements for each. 
However, only the ultimate purchaser of the property will be bound by 
its respective Purchaser Agreement.
    The Purchaser Agreements are now subject to public comment, after 
which the United States may modify or withdraw its consent if comments 
received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the 
Purchaser Agreements are inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The 
Purchaser Agreements will resolve certain potential EPA claims under 
Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607. The property 
subject to the Purchaser Agreements is the portion of the Site south of 
Ohio Street and west of the Shenango River. The property contains slag 
Sharon Steel generated during operation of an integrated steel making 
plant at the Site. EPA will conduct or oversee long term remedial 
actions at the Site and has initiated the Remedial Investigation/
Feasibility Study to identify the hazards posed by contamination at and 
arising from the Site. Under the terms of each Purchaser Agreement, the 
purchaser will pay the United States $40,000 for a limited covenant not 
to sue, cooperate with EPA in the continued implementation of remedial 
actions at the Site and otherwise comply with the requirements of the 
Purchaser Agreement.
    For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this 
notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the 
proposed Purchaser Agreements. The Agency's response to any comments 
received will be available for public inspection at the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19103.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Availability: The proposed Purchaser Agreements and 
additional background information relating to the proposed Purchaser 
Agreements are available for public inspection at the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19103. A copy of the proposed Purchaser Agreements may 
be obtained from Suzanne Canning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Regional Docket Clerk (3RC00), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 
19103. Comments should reference the ``Sharon Steel Farrell Works 
Superfund Site Prospective Purchaser Agreements'' and ``EPA Docket No. 
CERCLA-PPA-2000-01 and CERCLA-PPA-2000-02,'' and should be forwarded to 
Suzanne Canning at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ami Y. Antoine (3RC43), Sr. Assistant 
Regional Counsel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch 
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Phone: (215) 814-2497.

    Dated: June 16, 2000.
Bradley M. Campbell,
Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 
III.
[FR Doc. 00-16762 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U