[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 14515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6204]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Settlement Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service.

ACTION: Notice of settlement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a proposed Settlement Agreement in 
the matter of: USDA Cotton Research Station, Shafter, Kern County, 
California, Kern County Agt. #1098-2000, was entered into by the United 
States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA), 
and the County of Kern, a political subdivision of the State of 
California (County), pursuant to Section 122(h)(1) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 
U.S.C. 6922(h)(1), and the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. 
1346(b), 2671, et seq. The Settlement Agreement resolves any claims 
that the United States may have against the County under section 7 of 
CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607, for response costs incurred at the former USDA 
Cotton Research Station, located on the Shafter Experimental Farm 
(Site), near Shafter, California. The Settlement Agreement also 
resolves any claims that the County may have against the United States 
under CERCLA and the FTCA for damages resulting from contamination at 
the Site. Finally, the Settlement Agreement authorizes USDA to conduct 
a proposed response action by implementing a Closure Plan at Drywell 
No. 1 at the Site.
    The proposed Settlement Agreement provides that the United States 
will covenant not to sue, subject to certain reservation of rights, the 
County pursuant to section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a), to 
recover response costs relating to the Site. The proposed Settlement 
Agreement also provides that the County will release the United States 
from liability relating to the Site, including under CERCLA, FTCA, or 
State law.
    USDA will receive, for a period of thirty (30) days from the date 
of this publication, comments relating to the proposed settlement. In 
accordance with section 122(i)(3) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(i)(3), USDA 
may modify or withdraw its consent to this Agreement if comments 
received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that this 
Agreement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. Comments should be 
addressed to Mr. Michael P. Blanchette at the United States Department 
of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Safety, Health, and 
Environmental Management Branch, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5127, 
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5127, and should refer to In The Matter of: 
USDA Cotton Research Station, Shafter, Kern County, California, Kern 
County Agt. #1098-2000.
    The proposed Settlement Agreement may be examined at the office of 
Mr. Alvin Humphrey, Area Safety and Health Manager, Pacific West Area, 
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, 
California 94710. A copy may also be requested by mail from Mr. 
Humphrey.

    Dated: February 12, 2001.
Edward B. Knipling,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 01-6204 Filed 3-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-U