REFERRAL TO REQUEST THE REFERRAL OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS RE- GARDING THE THOMAS SOLVENT COMPANY, BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR INFORMATION AND FILING. THE DOCUMENTS ARE THOMAS SOLVENT COMPANY'S DEBTOR'S PETI- TION, NOTICE OF FIRST MEETING, MATRIX, AND A PROOF OF CLAIM AND SUPPORTING AFFIDAVIT. THIS ACTION IS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THE UNITED STATES' CLAIM AGAINST THOMAS, A POTEN- TIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTY AT THE VERONA WELL FIELD HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE. VERONA WELL FIELD PROVIDES THE PRIMARY WATER SUPPLY FOR 35,000 RESIDENTS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USERS IN BATTLE CREEK. THE WELL FIELD IS CONTAMINATED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES WHICH HAVE MIGRATED FROM THOMAS' PLACES OF BUSINESS UPGRADIENT FROM THE WELL FIELD. SINCE JULY 1983, EPA HAS TAKEN RESPONSE ACTIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 104 OF CERCLA AND THE NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN TO ASSURE A POTABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR BATTLE CREEK AND DETERMINE HOW TO REHABILITATE THE WELL FIELD. THESE ACTIONS INCLUDE A BOTTLED WATER PROGRAM, A REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY, AN INITIAL REMEDIAL MEASURE AND AN IM- MEDIATE REMOVAL. TO DATE, MONIES OBLIGATED FROM THE HAZARD- OUS SUBSTANCE RESPONSE TRUST FUND TOTAL $4,237,538. ACTUAL EXPENDITURES EXCEED $850,000. THE GOVERNMENT'S CLAIM A- GAINST THOMAS FOR THESE COSTS IS BASED ON SECTION 107(A)(1) OF CERCLA.