[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27638-27639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11063]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Extension of Comment Period for Proposed Settlement 
Agreement Under the Federal Debt Collection Procedure Act, the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Other Statutes

    Notice is hereby given of an extension of the period for public 
comment with respect to the Columbus, Mississippi site under the 
proposed settlement agreement (``Settlement Agreement'') entered into 
by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and seven of its affiliates (the 
``Defendants''), the United States, and the Anadarko Litigation Trust 
in the matter entitled Tronox Inc., et al., and United States v. 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., et al., Bankruptcy Adversary Proceeding No. 
09-1198. This matter is part of the bankruptcy case of Tronox Inc. and 
its affiliates (collectively ``Tronox''), In re Tronox Inc., et al., 
No. 09-10156, in the same court. The Settlement Agreement was lodged 
with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of 
New York on April 3, 2014, in Tronox Inc., et al., and United States v. 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., et al., Bankruptcy Adversary Proceeding No. 
09-1198.
    The Settlement Agreement provides for $5.15 billion dollars to be 
paid to the Anadarko Litigation Trust. These proceeds will then be 
distributed to the United States, certain environmental response 
trusts, a tort claims trust, and certain state and tribal governments 
as provided by the Plan of Reorganization, Litigation Trust Agreement, 
Environmental Settlement Agreement, and other documents (collectively, 
the ``Bankruptcy Documents'') previously approved by the bankruptcy 
court in Tronox's bankruptcy.
    The Settlement Agreement resolves fraudulent conveyance claims 
brought by the United States and the Anadarko Litigation Trust against 
Defendants. As part of the Settlement Agreements, Defendants will 
receive covenants not to sue from the United States under various 
statutes, included the Comprehensive Environmental Response 
Compensation, and Liability Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act, and for certain common law claims, all as and to the extent 
specified in the Settlement Agreement. Pursuant to this Settlement 
Agreement and the Bankruptcy Documents, portions of the Defendants' 
payment under the Settlement Agreement will either fund clean-up or 
provide compensation for past or future environmental costs at numerous 
sites around the county.
    Notice of lodging of the Settlement Agreement was published in the 
Federal Register on April 14, 2014. See 79 FR 20910. The public comment 
period for the Settlement Agreement is scheduled to close on May 14, 
2014.

[[Page 27639]]

However, in response to requests for an extension of the public comment 
period relating to the Columbus, Mississippi site, the United States 
has elected to extend the comment period with respect to the Columbus, 
Mississippi site and to accept public comments received no later than 
May 21, 2014.
    Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, 
Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to Tronox 
and United States v. Anadarko Petroleum Corp., D.J. Ref. No. 90-11-3-
09688. All comments must be received no later than May 21, 2014. 
Comments may be submitted either by email or by mail:

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          To submit comments:                     Send them to:
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By e-mail..............................  [email protected].
By mail................................  Assistant Attorney General,
                                          U.S. DOJ--ENRD, P.O. Box 7611,
                                          Washington, DC 20044-7611.
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    During the public comment period, the Settlement Agreement may be 
examined and downloaded at a Justice Department Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html. We will provide a paper copy 
of the Settlement Agreement upon written request and payment of 
reproduction costs. Please mail your request and payment to: Consent 
Decree Library, U.S. DOJ-ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-
7611.
    Please enclose a check or money order for $32.00 (25 cents per page 
reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury. For a paper 
copy without exhibits or notice of lodging, the cost is $14.75.

Maureen M. Katz,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2014-11063 Filed 5-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-P