[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 41178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17414]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Proposed Partial Consent Decree Under the 
Clean Water Act

    Under 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that on June 25, 2003, a 
proposed Partial Consent Decree in United States v. District of 
Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (``WASA''), et al., Civil Action No. 
1:02-02511 (TFH) and in Anacostia Watershed Society v. District of 
Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, et al., Civil Action No. 
1:00CV00183 (TFH), was lodged with the United States District Court for 
the District of Columbia.
    The two actions allege violations by the defendants of provisions 
of the Clean Water Act that pertain to overflows from the combined 
sewer system in the District of Columbia. Both complaints include a 
claim that the defendants failed to implement certain interim measures, 
termed ``Nine Minimum Controls,'' timely and adequately. The proposed 
partial consent decree resolves that specific claim and requires 
defendant WASA to perform a number of specific projects, including 
refurbishment or rehabilitation of its major pump stations and enhanced 
notice to the public of CSO events.
    The partial consent decree also resolves the Plaintiffs' claims for 
civil penalties through the date of lodging of the decree. Under the 
decree, WASA will pay a civil penalty of $250,00 to the United States 
Treasury and construct and operate Supplemental Environmental Projects 
(``SEPs'') valued at $1.7 million. The SEPs will consist of ``low 
impact development'' projects, which includes various technologies such 
as vegetation, rain barrels, tree canopies, and drainage trenches that 
are designed to detain and store wet weather run-off to promote 
infiltration to the ground and evaporation. In addition, WASA will pay 
$300,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the construction of 
``roof gardens,'' a kind of low impact development consisting of 
vegetation on rooftops.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication comments relating to the 
proposed Partial 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. District of Columbia Water and 
Sewer Authority (``WASA''), et al., Civil Action No. 1:02-02511 (TFH), 
DOJ  90-5-1-1-07137.
    The Partial Consent Decree may be examined at the Office of the 
United States Attorney, c/o Lydia Griggsby, 555 Fourth Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20001, and at U.S. EPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029.
    During the public comment period, the Partial 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 Partial Consent 
Decree may also 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. (202) 514-0097, phone confirmation 
number (202) 514-1547. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree 
Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $19.50 payable to the 
U.S. Treasury. In requesting a copy exclusive of exhibits, please 
enclose a check in the amount of $15.25 payable to the U.S. Treasury.

Robert Brook,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and 
Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 03-17414 Filed 7-9-03; 8:45 am]
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