82 FR 60419 - Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 243 (December 20, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60419-60420]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27400]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


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

    On December 14, 2017, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed 
Consent Decree with the United States District Court for the Northern 
District of New York in the lawsuit entitled

[[Page 60420]]

United States v. Honeywell International Inc., Civil Action No. 5:17-
cv-01344-FJS-DEP. In a civil action filed under Section 107(a) of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 
42 U.S.C. 9607(a) (CERCLA), on December 14, 2017, the United States 
sought recovery from Honeywell International Inc. (``Honeywell'') of 
costs of response action at the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site (Site) in 
Syracuse, New York. The proposed Consent Decree resolves the liability 
of defendant Honeywell for response costs incurred by the United States 
in connection with the Site.
    The proposed Consent Decree requires Honeywell to pay $7.3 million 
in reimbursement of response costs incurred by the United States with 
respect to the Site. The proposed Consent Decree provides Honeywell 
with a covenant not to sue for response costs incurred by the United 
States in connection with the Site through the date of lodging of the 
Consent Decree. Honeywell previously entered into a settlement with the 
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) that 
required Honeywell to perform a cleanup of the Lake Bottom portion of 
the Site.
    The proposed Consent Decree also resolves the liability of other 
potentially responsible parties (``Other Settling Parties'') who have 
previously settled (or may settle in the future) with Honeywell, and 
the United States provides the Other Settling Parties with a covenant 
not to sue for certain of the costs incurred by the United States in 
connection with the Site. The Other Settling Parties also agree to 
provide a covenant not to sue the United States for certain costs and 
natural resource damages in connection with the Site.
    The proposed Consent Decree also resolves Honeywell's claim against 
the United States under Section 113(f) of CERCLA and requires the 
United States to reimburse Honeywell $6.25 million of Honeywell's costs 
incurred in cleaning up the Site. Honeywell alleges that certain 
federal agencies were liable for the disposal of contaminants at the 
Site during World War II. Under the proposed Consent Decree, Honeywell 
provides the United States with a covenant not to sue for response 
costs and natural resource damages incurred or to be incurred by 
Honeywell in connection with the Site.
    The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on 
the Consent Decree. Please address comments to the Assistant Attorney 
General, Environment and Natural Resources Division and refer to United 
States v. Honeywell International Inc. D.J. Ref. No. 90-11-3-08348. All 
comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the 
publication date of this notice. Comments may be submitted either by 
email or by mail:

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                        To submit comments:                         them
                                                                     to:
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By email..........................................................  [email protected].
By mail...........................................................  Assi
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                                                                    Gene
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                                                                    U.S.
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                                                                    P.O.
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                                                                    DC
                                                                    2004
                                                                    4-76
                                                                    11.
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    During the public comment period, the Consent Decree may be 
examined and downloaded at this Justice Department website: http://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. We will provide a paper copy of 
the Consent Decree 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 $10.75 (25 cents per page 
reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury.

Robert E. Maher, Jr.,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment 
and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2017-27400 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-15-P