Notice of Settlement Pursuant to CERCLA; Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for the Ross Adams Mine Site Cleanup, 40963 [2020-14641]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 131 / Wednesday, July 8, 2020 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Settlement Pursuant to CERCLA; Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for the Ross Adams Mine Site Cleanup Forest Service, USDA. Notice of settlement; comment AGENCY: ACTION: request. In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (CERCLA), notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service is seeking comments on the Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action (‘‘ASAOC’’) for the Ross Adams Mine Site (‘‘the Site’’). On January 17, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Region 10 entered into an ASAOC with Newmont USA Limited (‘‘Newmont’’) and Dawn Mining Company, LLC (‘‘Dawn’’). The ASAOC provides for a comprehensive cleanup of the Ross Adams Mine Site in southeastern Alaska. DATES: Comments must be received, in writing, on or before August 7, 2020. ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Linda Riddle, Alaska OnScene Coordinator, at USDA, Forest Service, Alaska Regional Office, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802. Comments may also be sent via email to linda.riddle@USDA.gov, or via facsimile to Linda Riddle at 907–586–7555. The ASAOC may be viewed at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/ landmanagement/projects/ ?cid=fseprd574452. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/ landmanagement/projects/ ?cid=fseprd574452. Both the ASAOC and comments can be viewed and copied at the Federal Building, 709 W 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to Linda Riddle at 907–586–9379 to facilitate entry to the building. The ASAOC and comments may also be viewed and copied at Tongass National Forest, 648 Mission Street, Federal Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901–6591; Craig Ranger District, 504 9th Street, P.O. Box 705, Craig, AK 99921–9998; and to Thorne Bay Ranger District, 1312 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Jul 07, 2020 Jkt 250001 Federal Way, P.O. Box 19001, Thorne Bay, AK 99919–0001. Due to uncertainties caused by COVID–19, office hours and staffing may vary and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to the front desks of these offices. In Ketchikan the number is 907–225–3101; in Craig the number is 907–826–3271; and in Thorne Bay the number is 907– 828–3304. The front desk receptionist at each location will assist callers. The Forest Service will consider all comments received on the ASAOC and may modify or withdraw its consent to the ASAOC if comments received disclose facts or considerations that indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning this project may be obtained on the Tongass National Forest website at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/ landmanagement/projects/ ?cid=fseprd574452. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Beginning in the 1950s, various mining companies began extracting uranium ore at the Ross Adams Mine. In recent decades, the mine was abandoned and has been releasing hazardous substances, including radionuclides, into the environment. For over a decade, the Forest Service has conducted a comprehensive investigation at the Site, in cooperation with Newmont and Dawn, pursuant to the Forest Service’s authority under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (‘‘CERCLA’’), 42 U.S.C. 9601. For several years, the Forest Service, Newmont, and Dawn have been negotiating the terms of a mutually acceptable cleanup process at the Site. The ASAOC requires Newmont and Dawn to perform a comprehensive cleanup on site addressing all significant environmental contamination at an estimated cost of $7.2 million. The proposed ASAOC will resolve all CERCLA claims alleged by the Forest Service against Newmont and Dawn. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Allen Rowley, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2020–14641 Filed 7–7–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40963 COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the California Advisory Committee U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that a meeting of the California Advisory Committee (Committee) to the Commission will be held from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (Pacific) Thursday, July 9, 2020. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the Committee’s report on immigration enforcement. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020 from 1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. PT Public Call Information: Dial: 800–437–2398 Conference ID: 6763352 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana Victoria Fortes, Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov or (202) 681–0857. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is available to the public through the following toll-free call-in number: 800–437–2398, conference ID number: 6763352. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Western Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 300 North Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or email Ana Victoria Fortes at afortes@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (202) 681–0857. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 40963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14641]



[[Page 40963]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Settlement Pursuant to CERCLA; Administrative 
Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for the Ross Adams Mine Site 
Cleanup

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of settlement; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended 
(CERCLA), notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service is 
seeking comments on the Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order 
on Consent for Removal Action (``ASAOC'') for the Ross Adams Mine Site 
(``the Site''). On January 17, 2020, the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Region 10 entered into an ASAOC 
with Newmont USA Limited (``Newmont'') and Dawn Mining Company, LLC 
(``Dawn''). The ASAOC provides for a comprehensive cleanup of the Ross 
Adams Mine Site in southeastern Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received, in writing, on or before August 7, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed 
to Linda Riddle, Alaska On-Scene Coordinator, at USDA, Forest Service, 
Alaska Regional Office, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802. Comments may 
also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 
Linda Riddle at 907-586-7555. The ASAOC may be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/projects/?cid=fseprd574452.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/projects/?cid=fseprd574452. Both the ASAOC and comments can be viewed and copied 
at the Federal Building, 709 W 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to Linda Riddle at 907-586-9379 to 
facilitate entry to the building. The ASAOC and comments may also be 
viewed and copied at Tongass National Forest, 648 Mission Street, 
Federal Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591; Craig Ranger District, 504 
9th Street, P.O. Box 705, Craig, AK 99921-9998; and to Thorne Bay 
Ranger District, 1312 Federal Way, P.O. Box 19001, Thorne Bay, AK 
99919-0001. Due to uncertainties caused by COVID-19, office hours and 
staffing may vary and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to the 
front desks of these offices. In Ketchikan the number is 907-225-3101; 
in Craig the number is 907-826-3271; and in Thorne Bay the number is 
907-828-3304. The front desk receptionist at each location will assist 
callers.
    The Forest Service will consider all comments received on the ASAOC 
and may modify or withdraw its consent to the ASAOC if comments 
received disclose facts or considerations that indicate that the 
settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning this 
project may be obtained on the Tongass National Forest website at: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/projects/?cid=fseprd574452.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginning in the 1950s, various mining 
companies began extracting uranium ore at the Ross Adams Mine. In 
recent decades, the mine was abandoned and has been releasing hazardous 
substances, including radionuclides, into the environment. For over a 
decade, the Forest Service has conducted a comprehensive investigation 
at the Site, in cooperation with Newmont and Dawn, pursuant to the 
Forest Service's authority under the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 9601. 
For several years, the Forest Service, Newmont, and Dawn have been 
negotiating the terms of a mutually acceptable cleanup process at the 
Site.
    The ASAOC requires Newmont and Dawn to perform a comprehensive 
cleanup on site addressing all significant environmental contamination 
at an estimated cost of $7.2 million. The proposed ASAOC will resolve 
all CERCLA claims alleged by the Forest Service against Newmont and 
Dawn.

Allen Rowley,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-14641 Filed 7-7-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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