# Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act
On August 25, 2020, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the United States District Court for the Southern District Florida in the lawsuit entitled *United States* v. *Key West Express, LLC.,* Civil Action No. 4:20-cv-10100-JLK.
The Consent Decree resolves claims brought against Key West Express, LLC. for recovery of damages under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (“NMSA”), 16 U.S.C. § 1443(a)(1), arising from the December 27, 2016 incident when Defendant's catamaran ferry (named “ *Big Cat Express”* ) ran aground and destroyed sanctuary resources in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The proposed Consent Decree resolves the claim for $2,246,596.09.
The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on the Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to *United States* v. *Key West Express, LLC.,* D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-1-1-12188. 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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| By mail | Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611. |
During the public comment period, the Consent Decree may be examined and downloaded at this Justice Department website: *https://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 $4.25 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury.
Lori Jonas,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.