[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 78314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32241]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

    Notice is hereby given that on December 12, 2011, a proposed 
Consent Decree in United States of America and District of Columbia v. 
Washington Gas Light Company, Civil Action No. 1:11-cv-02199-RMC, was 
lodged with the United States District Court for the District of 
Columbia.
    In this action the United States and the District of Columbia 
sought to recover from Washington Gas Light Company response costs 
incurred or to be incurred by the National Park Service, the United 
States Department of the Interior, the United States Environmental 
Protection Agency, and the District Department of the Environment in 
responding to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances 
at or from the Washington Gas East Station Site, located in Washington, 
DC (the ``Site'').
    The Consent Decree requires Washington Gas to reimburse past 
response costs in the amounts of $500,000.00 to the National Park 
Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior; $160,000.00 to the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and $70,673.62 to the District of 
Columbia. The Consent Decree also requires Washington Gas to pay all 
future costs incurred by the United States and the District of Columbia 
in connection with the Site.
    Washington Gas is required to implement a soil remedy at the Site 
set forth in a Record of Decision issued by the National Park Service 
in 2006 (``ROD''). As set forth in the ROD, Washington Gas is required 
to continue operating its existing pump-and-treat system for the 
control and removal of hazardous substances in groundwater. Washington 
Gas will perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study to 
further determine the nature and extent of Site contamination in the 
groundwater and surface water and sediments in the Anacostia River. The 
feasibility study will identify and evaluate remedial alternatives and, 
if necessary, identify a further remedial action for the groundwater 
and River. The Consent Decree includes a covenant not to sue by the 
United States under Sections 106 and 107 of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 
et seq. (``CERCLA''), and under Section 7003 of the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (``RCRA''), 42 U.S.C. 6973.
    The Department of Justice will receive for a period of sixty (60) 
days from the date of this publication comments relating to the Decree. 
Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, 
Environmental and Natural Resources Division, and either emailed to 
[email protected] or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. 
Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to 
United States of America and District of Columbia v. Washington Gas 
Light Company, Civil Action No. 1:11-cv-02199-RMC (D.D.C.), D.J. Ref. 
90-11-2-08557/2. Commenters may request an opportunity for a public 
meeting in the affected area, in accordance with Section 7003(d) of 
RCRA.
    During the public comment period, the Decree may also be examined 
on the following Department of Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html. A copy of the 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 emailing a 
request to Tonia Fleetwood ([email protected]), fax number 
(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 $71.25 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the 
U.S. Treasury or, if by email or fax, forward a check in that amount to 
the Consent Decree Library at the stated address. In requesting a copy 
exclusive of exhibits and defendants' signatures, please enclose a 
check in the amount of $13.75 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) 
payable to the U.S. Treasury.

Robert Brook,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and 
Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2011-32241 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-P