[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14976-14977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7420]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree: Natural Resource Damages 
Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990

    Notice is hereby given that on March 18, 2002, a proposed Consent 
Decree: Natural Resource Damages (``Decree'') in United States and 
State of Alaska v. Kuroshima Shipping, S.A. and Unique Trading Co., 
Ltd, Civil Action No. A02-0057 (JWS) was lodged with the United States 
District Court for the District of Alaska.
    In this action brought pursuant to section 1002(b)(2)(A) of the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. 2702(b)(2)(A), the United States and 
that State of Alaska sought natural resource damages, including and 
subsequent discharge of oil from the M/V Kuroshima in the area of 
Summer Bay, Unalaska Island, Alaska (``the Kuroshima Spill''). The 
defendants are the owner and operator of the vessel at the time of the 
incident. The federal and state natural trustees in consultation with 
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska conducted an assessment of damage to 
natural resources and loss of use of natural resources occasioned by 
the Kuroshima Spill and have proposed a plan for restoring these 
natural resources and the loss of their use by the public. That plan 
appears as Appendix A to the Decree. The proposed Decree provides that 
defendants shall pay $644,017 to the natural resource trustees for 
their conduct of the restoration plan and place another $9,000 in the 
registry of the Court until the natural resource trustees determine 
whether the amount is necessary for the field component of the 
restoration plan aimed at restoring vegetation. The proposed Decree 
requires that the defendants reimburse the natural resources trustees 
$66,158.09 for damage assessment costs. In exchange for these payments, 
the United States and the State of Alaska covenant not to sue the 
defendants for natural resource damages arising from the Kuroshima 
Spill.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication comments relating to the 
proposed Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney 
General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, United States 
Department of Justice and sent to 801 B Street, Suite 504, Anchorage, 
Alaska 99501-3657. Comments should refer to United States v. Kuroshima 
Shipping, S.A. et al, D.J. Ref. #90-5-1-1-06147.
    The Decree may be examined at the above address by contacting 
Lorraine Carter (907-271-5452). A copy of the Decree (minus Appendix A) 
may be obtained by contacting Ms. Carter in writing at the address 
above. In requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of 
$5.50 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. 
Treasury. A copy of Appendix A may be obtained during the comment 
period from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by 
contacting Doug Helton at 206-526-4563 or at [email protected].

[[Page 14977]]

Alternately, Appendix A may be viewed at www.darenw.noaa.gov/kuro.htm.

Walter B. Smith,
Principal Deputy Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 02-7420 Filed 3-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M