[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 3390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1418]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Proposed Settlement Agreement Under the Oil Pollution 
Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.]

    Notice is hereby given that the United States Department of 
Justice, on behalf of the United States Department of Interior Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game, the 
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, the 
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and the Nevada Department 
of Wildlife and Advanced Fuel Filtration Systems, Inc. have reached a 
settlement regarding claims for injuries to natural resources arising 
from an oil spill into the East Walker River.
    The five government agencies who are parties to the settlement are 
acting in their capacities as designated natural resource trustees 
under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. 2701, et seq. to recover 
damages for natural resources, as authorized by 33 U.S.C. 
2702(b)(2)(A). The oil spill occurred on De ember 30, 2000 when a tank 
truck operated by Advanced Fuel Filtration Systems overturned near 
Bridgeport, California and spilled approximately 6100 gallons of fuel 
oil.
    Under the proposed settlement agreement, Advanced Fuel Filtration 
Systems will pay $350,000 to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and 
Restoration Fund, established by 43 U.S.C. 1474b, to be used by the 
natural resource trustee agencies to restore, rehabilitate or acquire 
the equivalent of, those resources injured by the spill and to 
compensate the public for lost recreational opportunities. It will also 
pay to the California Department of Fish and Game $68,000 for 
reimbursement of past assessment costs. It has previously paid to the 
United States Department of the Interior $50,000 for assessment costs.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) 
days from the date of this publication comments relating to the 
Settlement Agreement. 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 the Settlement Agreement Among the United States Department of 
the Interior, et al., and Advanced Fuel Filtration Systems, DJ 
 90-5-1-1-08070. The Settlement Agreement may be examined at 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1340 Financial Blvd., Suite 234, 
Reno, Nevada (contact Damian Higgins, 775-861-6300). During the public 
comment period, the Settlement Agreement may also be examined on the 
following Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/open.html. A copy of the Settlement Agreement 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 $1.75 
(25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury.

Ellen M. Mahan,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental, Enforcement Section, 
Environment & Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 04-1418 Filed 1-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M