[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69243-69244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28953]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

    Notice is hereby given that on October 28, 2002, two proposed 
consent decrees in United States v. Ponderosa Fibres of America, Inc., 
et al., Civil Action No. 99-CV-1305 (FJS/RWS), were lodged with the 
United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
    The United States' Amended Complaint in this action alleges that 
Ponderosa Fibres of America, Inc. (``PFC''), Martin Bernstein and 
Jerome Goodman are jointly and severally liable for past and future 
response costs, currently totaling over $1.3 million, incurred by the 
United States in connection with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency's removal of hazardous substances from the St. Lawrence Pulp and 
Paper Superfund Site in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York 
(``Site''), pursuant to section 107(a) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (``CERCLA''), 
42 U.S.C. 9607(a). The Complaint also alleges that certain transfers of 
funds from PFA to six current and former PFA officers and shareholders, 
Martin Bernstein, Jeffrey Feil, the Estate of Louis Feil, Nathan 
Bernstein, Robert L. Pitman and Roland O.A. Fjallstrom, violated the 
fraudulent transfer provisions of the Federal Debt Collection 
Procedures Act (``FDCPA''), 28 U.S.C. 3304, 3306, and the Federal 
Priority Statute (``FPS''), 31 U.S.C. 3713(b). After the United States 
initiated its recovery action against PFA, the company brought a third-
party contribution action against six entities, including The Bank of 
New York (``BNY'') and Sonoco Products Company (``Sonoco''), pursuant 
to section 113(f) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(f). In April 2002, the 
Court entered a Consent Decree under which BNY paid $71,250 in partial 
reimbursement of the United States' response costs.
    The first of the two proposed Consent Decrees lodged on October 28 
resolves cost recovery and contribution claims against Third-Party 
Defendant Sonoco Products Company for $110,000. The second proposed 
Decree resolves FDCPA, FPS and potential cost recovery and contribution 
claims against Defendants Jeffrey Feil and Estate of Louis Feil for 
$75,000.
    For a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication, 
the Department of Justice will accept comments relating to the proposed 
Sonoco and Feils Consent Decrees. Comments should be addressed to the 
Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, c/o David L. Weigert, Esq., 
Environmental Enforcement Section, P.O. Box 7611, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to United States v. 
Ponderosa Fibres of America, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 99-CV-1305 
(FJS/RWS), DJ  90-11-2-1223/1.
    The proposed Consent Decrees may be examined at the Office of the 
United Statesss Attorney, Northern District of New York, 231 Foley U.S. 
Courthouse, 445 Broadway, Albany, New York and at U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Region II, 290 Broadway, New York, New York. Copies 
of the proposed Consent Decrees may also be obtained by mail from the 
Consent Decree Library, PO Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, 
Washington, DC 20044-7611, or by faxing a request to Tonia Fleetwood at 
(202) 514-0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514-1547. If requesting 
copies of one or both the proposed Consent Decrees, please specify the 
requested Decree(s) and enclose a check in the amount of $4.75

[[Page 69244]]

per Decree (25 cents per reproduced page), payable to the U.S. 
Treasury.

Ronald G. Gluck,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 02-28953 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M