[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10582-10583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5555]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 300
[FRL-5973-7]
Extension of Comment Period for the GE-Housatonic Site Included
in National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites,
Proposed Rule No. 23
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period for GE-Housatonic
site.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the
comment period for the GE-Housatonic site in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
which was proposed to be added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on
September 25, 1997 (62 FR 50450). The comment period was scheduled to
end on November 24, 1997. However, due to the unique circumstances
surrounding the GE-Housatonic site, the comment period was extended
until March 1, 1998 (62 FR 60199, November 7, 1997). This new document
further extends the comment period until May 1, 1998.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formed a partnership
with several state and federal agencies (intergovernmental team) in
order to achieve a comprehensive solution to the environmental problems
at the GE/Housatonic River Site in Pittsfield, MA. The
Intergovernmental Team is comprised of representatives from EPA, the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the Massachusetts Attorney
General's Office, the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection, the Connecticut Attorney General's Office, the US
Department of Interior, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States
Department of Justice. The Intergovernmental Team is attempting to
negotiate, with General Electric, a comprehensive solution in lieu of
final listing of the General Electric/Housatonic River Site on the
National Priorities list. March 30, 1998, has now been set as the
appropriate deadline for concluding negotiations. In order to
facilitate this intensive and comprehensive negotiation, the EPA has
decided to extend the public comment period until May 1, 1998.
Numerous parties, including the public, are directly or indirectly
participating in these negotiations. These parties include the City of
Pittsfield and other cities and towns downstream of the GE facility,
environmental and business groups. It is EPA's view that the added time
for comments will improve the quality of comments eventually submitted.
DATES: Comments regarding the GE-Housatonic site must be submitted
(postmarked) on or before May 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: By Postal Mail: Mail original and three copies of comments
(no facsimiles or tapes) to Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. EPA;
CERCLA Docket Office; (Mail Code 5201G); 401 M Street, SW; Washington,
DC 20460; 703/603-9232.
By Overnight Mail: Send original and three copies of comments (no
facsimiles or tapes) to Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. EPA;
CERCLA Docket Office; 1235 Jefferson Davis
[[Page 10583]]
Highway; Crystal Gateway #1, First Floor; Arlington, VA 22202.
By E-Mail: Comments in ASCII format only may be mailed directly to
[email protected] EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV. E-mailed comments must be followed
up by an original and three copies sent by mail or Federal Express.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Keidan, State and Site
Identification Center, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (Mail
Code 5204G), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC, 20460; telephone (703) 603-8852.
Dated: February 24, 1998.
Larry G. Reed,
Acting Director, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
[FR Doc. 98-5555 Filed 3-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
