[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 64084] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-30953] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6190-7] Notice of Proposed Settlement; Talisman Sugar Corporation Properties, Palm Beach and Hendry Counties, Florida AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of proposed settlement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and under section 7003(d) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6973(d), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to enter into a ``prospective purchaser agreement'' (PPA) concerning property owned by the Talisman Sugar Corporation (``Talisman'') in Palm Beach and Hendry Counties, Florida. EPA proposes to enter into the PPA with The Nature Conservancy (``TNC''), a non-profit District of Columbia corporation, and the South Florida Water Management District, (the ``District''), a special ad valorem taxing authority established by the Florida legislature, which is responsible for management of water delivery in South Florida. The PPA concerns the acquisition by TNC and the District of certain real property presently owned or leased by Talisman in Palm Beach and Hendry Counties, Florida. The real property in question (the ``Property'') consists of approximately 50,757 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area (``EAA''). Most of the Property is currently owned by Talisman, but the Property includes certain parcels leased by Talisman. The Property is the subject of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between Talisman and the TNC (the ``Purchase and Sale Agreement''), dated July 2, 1998, which gives TNC the right to purchase Talisman's interest in the Property. TNC is also a party to a Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of the Interior and the District (the ``Cooperative Agreement''), dated July 24, 1998, pursuant to which portions of the Property may be transferred to the District. The purpose of TNC's and the District's participation in the Purchase and Sale Agreement and/or Coopertive Agreements is to further restoration of the Florida Everglades ecosystem. The PPA obligates TNC and the District to manage portions of the Property that they acquire in a manner that is consistent with the comprehensive Everglades restoration program envisioned by the Cooperative Agreement. Pursuant to the PPA, TNC and the District will be protected from CERCLA liability and from liability under section 7003(d) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6973(d), which may arise from their participation in the acquisition of the Property, as described above. This protection is contingent on TNC's and the District's management of the property as described above. EPA will consider public comments on the proposed settlement for thirty (30) days. Commenters may request an opportunity for a public meeting in the affected area, in accordance with section 7003(d) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6973(d). EPA may withdraw from or modify the proposed settlement should public comments disclose facts or considerations which indicate the proposed settlement is inappropriate, improper or inadequate. Copies of the proposed settlement are available from Ms. Paula V. Batchelor, Waste Management Division, U.S. EPA, Region 4, Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8909. Written comments may be submitted to Ms. Batchelor within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of publication. Franklin E. Hill, Chief, Program Services Branch, Waste Management Division. [FR Doc. 98-30953 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-M