IN THIS ACTION THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN SOUGHT TO RECOVER UNREIMBURSED COSTS INCURRED FOR RESPONSE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE RELEASE AND THREATENED RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES FROM FACILITIES AT AND NEAR THE LOWER FOX RIVER AND GREEN BAY SITE IN NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AND DAMAGES FOR INJURY TO, LOSS OF, OR DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR AND RESTORE NATURAL RESOURCES INJURED BY THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE SITE.
THE ELEVEN SETTLING DEFENDANTS ARE: GEORGE A. WHITING PAPER CO.; GREEN BAY METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT; GREEN BAY PACKAGING, INC.; HEART OF THE VALLEY METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT; INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO.; LAFARGE NORTH AMERICA INC.; LEICHT TRANSFER & STORAGE CO.; NEENAH FOUNDRY CO.; THE PROCTER & GAMBLE PAPER PRODUCTS CO., UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD CO.; AND WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORP. THE CONSENT DECREE REFLECTS THE CONCLUSION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN THAT EACH OF THE SETTLING DEFENDANTS QUALIFIES FOR TREATMENT AS A CERCLA SECTION 122(G) DE MINIMIS PARTY. THE CONSENT DECREE REQUIRES THE SETTLING DEFENDANTS TO PAY EPA AND DOI FOR PAST AND FUTURE SITE COSTS.