REGION IX HAS IDENTIFIED SMITH TOOL COMPANY, A DIVISION OF SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC. AS A POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTY AT THE OPERATING INDUSTRIES, INC. SITE IN MONTEREY PARK. JUNE 20, 1986, REGION IX SENT A NOTICE LETTER/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO DOUG ROCK, PRESIDENT OF SMITH TOOL COMPANY. IN RESPONSE, THEIR COUNSEL INFORMED US THAT SMITH TOOL IS A DIVISION OF SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND THAT SMITH INTERNATIONAL WAS CURRENTLY IN A CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING PENDING IN THE BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. SUBSEQUENT TO THIS, SMITH INTERNAT- IONAL SCHEDULED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AS AN UNSECURED CREDITOR IN THIS BANKRUPTCY ACTION. WE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM THE U. S. BANKRUPTCY COURT, CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. ON MARCH 10,1987, REGION IX DI- RECTLY REFERRED THIS MATTER TO THE DEPT. OF JUSTICE FOR THE FILING OF A PROOF OF CLAIM IN THE BANKRUPTCY ACTION.THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED THE PROOF OF CLAIM (POC) ON 3/31/87. ON 5/11/87, HQTRS CONFIRMED THE ORAL REFERRAL OF THE POC.