[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4232-4233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1813]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of the Consent Decree Between the United States 
of America and Shell Pipeline Company LP fka Equilon Pipeline Company 
LLC Pursuant to the Clean Water Act

    Pursuant to 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that on January 17, 
2003, a proposed Consent Decree Between the United States of America 
and Shell Pipeline Company LP (Shell) fka Equilon Pipeline Company LLC 
(Shell Consent Decree), Civil Action No. CV02-1178R was lodged with the 
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
    In this case, the United States sought civil penalties for the 
discharge of gasoline into Hanna and Whatcom Creeks in Bellingham, 
Washington, navigable waters of the United States, and their adjoining 
shorelines, beginning on June 10, 1999, in violation of sections 301(a) 
and 311(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) and 1321(b)(3). 
The Shell Consent Decree includes a civil penalty of $5 million and 
other relief consisting of a comprehensive pipeline spill prevention 
program covering 2139 miles of pipeline in seven states. The pipeline 
systems covered by the spill prevention program are Shell's East, 
North, Chase, and Orion Systems in the states of Colorado, Kansas, 
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. The spill prevention 
program requires Shell to pay an independent contractor approved by the 
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor Shell's 
implementation of the spill prevention program, and to report to EPA. 
The spill prevention program, which will last a minimum of five years, 
includes the following requirements:
    [sbull] Internal inspections of pipeline using ``Smart PIG'' 
technology (devices that travel through pipeline to scan for defects);
    [sbull] Installation, maintenance, and testing of corrosion control 
equipment;
    [sbull] Testing and repair of leak detection systems;
    [sbull] Installation of block valves and check valves to divert the 
flow of gasoline in an emergency;
    [sbull] Protective measures for exposed pipe;
    [sbull] Protective measures for insufficiently buried pipe near 
commercially navigable waterways;
    [sbull] Monitoring of construction activities near the pipelines;
    [sbull] Frequent pipeline surveys;
    [sbull] Operator training; and
    [sbull] A Management of Change Program requiring Shell to analyze 
changes in its pipeline systems for the effect of the changes on the 
operations and safety of the affected pipeline system.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of 30 days from 
the date of this publication comments relating to the Shell Consent 
Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, 
Environment and Natural Resources Division, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. 
Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to 
United States v. Shell Pipeline Co. LP fka Equilon Pipeline Co. LLC and 
Olympic Pipeline Co., No. CV02-1178R (W.D. Wash.) and D.J. Reference 
No. 90-5-1-1-06967.
    The Shell Consent Decree may be examined at the Office of the 
United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, 601 Union 
Street, 50100 Two Union Square, Seattle, Washington 98101-3903, and at 
U.S. EPA Region X, 1200 6th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101. During 
the public comment period, the Shell Consent Decree, may also be 
examined on the following Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/open.html. A copy of the Shell Consent Decree also 
may be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, 
U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing or 
e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood ([email protected]), fax 
no.

[[Page 4233]]

(202) 514-0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514-1547. When 
requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a 
check in the amount of $100 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) 
payable to the U.S. Treasury.
    Alternatively, you may request a copy of the Shell Consent Decree 
without the attached exhibits by enclosing a check in the amount of 
$18.50 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. 
Treasury.

Robert E. Maher, Jr.,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and 
Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 03-1813 Filed 1-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M