Proposed Administrative Settlement Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice; request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to enter into a de minimis settlement pursuant to section 122(g)(4) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. 9622(g)(4). This proposed settlement is intended to resolve the liability under CERCLA of Materia Medica, Inc., formerly known as Polysciences, Inc. (“Settling Party”) for response costs incurred and to be incurred at the Malvern TCE Superfund Site, East Whiteland and Charlestown Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, relating to the Malvern TCE Superfund Site (“Site”).

DATES:

Comments must be provided on or before March 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should be addressed to Suzanne Canning, Docket Clerk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029, and should refer to the Malvern TCE Superfund Site, East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joan A. Johnson (3RC41), 215/814-2619, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice of de minimis Settlement: In accordance with section 122(i)(1) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 122(i)(1), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement concerning the Malvern TCE Superfund Site, in East Whiteland Chester County, Pennsylvania. The administrative settlement is subject to review by the public pursuant to this notice.

The Settling Party has agreed to pay $9,879.00 to the Hazardous Substances Trust Fund subject to the contingency that EPA may elect not to complete the settlement if comments received from the public during this comment period disclose facts or considerations which indicate the proposed settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. This amount to be paid by the Settling Party was based upon EPA's determination of Settling Party's fair share of liability of Settling Party relating to the Site. Monies collected from the Settling Party will be applied towards past and future response costs incurred by EPA or PRPs performing work at or in connection with the Site.

EPA is entering into this agreement under the authority of sections 107 and 122(g) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607 and 9622(g). Section 122(g) authorizes settlements with de minimis parties to allow them to resolve their liabilities at Superfund Sites without incurring substantial transaction costs. Under this authority, EPA proposes to settle with Settling Party in connection with the Site, based upon a determination that Settling Party is responsible for 0.75 percent or less of the volume of hazardous substance sent to the Site. As part of this de minimis settlement, EPA will provide to the Settling Party a covenant not to sue or take administrative action against the Settling Party for reimbursement of response costs or injunctive relief pursuant to sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, or for injunctive relief pursuant to section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6973, with regard to the Site.

The Environmental Protection Agency will receive written comments relating to this settlement for thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this Notice. A copy of the proposed Administrative Order on Consent can be obtained from Joan A. Johnson (3RC41), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103-2029, or by contacting Joan A. Johnson at (215) 814-2619.