PRE-REFERRAL SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS - INITIATED 03/29/91. * CARIBE G. E, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CORPORA- TION, OWNS AND OPERATES AN ELECTROPLATING FACILITY IN VEGA ALTA, PR. THIS PLANT DISCHARGES INTO THE CIBUCO RIVER, A WATER OF THE U.S. PURSUANT TO SECTION 402 OF THE CWA, 33 U.S.C. SECT 1342, A NPDES PERMIT NO. PR0000566, WAS ISSUED ESTABLISHING DISCHARGE LIMITS FOR THE PLANT. ON 08/15/90, CARIBE G.E. CEASED DIRECT DISCHARGE AND BEGAN TRUCKING THEIR WASTEWATER OFFSITE FOR PORCESSING. PRIOR TO THIS DATE, CARIBE G.E HAD LONG BEEN IN VIOLATION OF ITS PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND HAD FAILED TO COMPLY WITH EPA ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AIMED AT CORRECTING THE VIOLATIONS. THESE VIOLATIONS INCLUDE: NEVER CONNECTING THEIR DISCHARGE TO PRASA AS REQUIRED BY FEB. 1988 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER; NOT SUBMITING REQUIRED MONTHLY CONSTRUCT'N REPORTS; CONSISTENTLY VIOLATING THE FINAL EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS FOR TDS AS WELL AS THE INTERIM LIMIT FROM APRIL 1986 THROUGH AUGUST 1990; REGULARLY EXCEEDING DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS FOUND IN THE NPDES PERMIT FROM APRIL 1986 THROUGH AUGUST 1990; AND HAVING AN UPERMITTED DISCHARGE OF STORMWATER AND COOLING TOWER BLOWDOWN FROM THE TOP OF THEIR MAIN BUILDING. THE PROPOSED CONSENT DECREE REQUIRES CARIBE G.E. TO PERMANENTLY CEASE DIRECT DISCHARGE FORM THE FACILITY. THEY MUST EITHER CONTINUE TO TRUCK THE WAST