ON AUGUST 7, 2014, THE UNITED STATES, ON BEHALF OF EPA AND THE COST GUARD, FILED A COMPLAINT SIMULTAENOUSLY LODGED A CONSENT DECREE ( CD ) ENTERED INTO WITH THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL C. TRANGUCH ( ESTATE ), OWNER OF THE SOURCE PROPERTY AT THE TRANGUCH GASOLINE SPILL SITE ( SITE ), IN HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA. THIS CD WILL SETTLE THE COAST GUARD'S CLAIM FOR COST RECOVERY AGAINST THE ESTATE, ON AN ABILITY-TO-PAY BASIS. THE CD WILL ASO REQUIRE THE ESTATE TO PROVIDE EPA WITH CONTINUED ACCESS, AND FILE AN ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANT WITH THE RECORDER OF DEEDS FOR LUZERNE COUNTY.
OVER TIME UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS LOCATED AT SEVERAL GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS IN THE AREA DEVELOPED LEAKS AT THE SITE. THESE HISTORIC LEAKS RESULTED IN A PLUME OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION THAT DISCHARGED TO BLACK CREEK AND CAUSED VAPORS IN RESIDENCES. IN 1996, PADEP REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM EPA, REGION III. SINCE THAT TIME, EPA HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PADEP TO ADDRESS THESE THREATS THROUGH A SERIES OF MITIGATION MEASURES, INCLDUING INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF GROUNDWATER TREATMENT AND SOIL VAPOR EXTRACTION SYSTEMS, RELINING AND REBUILDING PORTIONS OF THE TOWN'S SEWER SYSTEM, TESTING OF INDOOR AIR IN APPROXIMATELY 300 HOMES, AND INSTALLATION OF SEWER VENT TRAPS AND CARBON FILTERS AT MANY OF THESE HOMES. EPA HAS SPENT MORE THAN $26 MILLION PROVIDED BY THE COAST GUARD'S OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND.
IN 2012, EPA, REGION IIII SENT A REFERRAL FOR CIVIL LITIGATION TO DOJ, REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF