ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1993, EPA REGION I REFERRED A CONSENT DECREE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONCERNING SETTLEMENT OF CLAMS UNDER CERCLA SECTION 107. THESE CLAIMS INVOLVE THE RECOVERY OF RESPONSE COSTS INCURRED AND TO BE INCURRED BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SULLIVAN'S LEDGE SUPERFUND SITE IN NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSED CONSENT DECREE, THE DEFENDANT, CHARTER INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANY (CIOC), WILL PAY $215,000, PLUS INTEREST, TO THE UNITED STATES. IN RETURN, FOR THIS PAYMENT, CIOC WILL RECEIVE A RELEASE FROM CLAIMS UNDER CERCLA SECTONS 106 AND 107(A) AND RCRA SECTION 7003, SUBJECT TO STANDARD REOPENERS.