# Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
On December 20, 2021, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed Consent Decree with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in the lawsuit entitled *United States* v. *H. Kramer & Co., et al.,* Case No. 1:21-cv-6749.
The United States filed a Complaint in this lawsuit under Section 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607. The Complaint seeks reimbursement of more than $2.189 million in costs that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) incurred for environmental cleanup-related response activities relating to the Pilsen Area Soil Site in Chicago, Illinois. The three defendants in the lawsuit are H. Kramer & Co., BNSF Railway Company, and the City of Chicago.
When the Complaint was filed, the United States also lodged a proposed Consent Decree that would settle the claims asserted in the Complaint on agreed terms and conditions. The defendants would pay the United States a total of $1.95 million in settlement of the United States' claims for recovery of EPA's unreimbursed past costs.
The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on the proposed Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and should refer to *United States* v. *H. Kramer & Co., et al.,* D.J. Ref. No. 90-11-3-12477. 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 $5.75 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the United States Treasury.
Patricia A. McKenna,
Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.