IN THIS REFERRAL FOR A CIVIL ACTION UNDER SECTION 107 OF THE CERCLA, EPA IS SEEKING THE RECOVERY OF RESPONSE COSTS AND DAMAGES INCURRED AT THE LOMPOC PLATING REMOVAL SITE AGAINST THE CURRENT LAND OWNER OF THE SITE. THIS REFERRAL RECOMMENDS LITIGATION TO RECOVER THE APPROXIMATELY $180,272.48 PLUS INTEREST SPENT BY EPA IN CONNECTION WITH A TIME CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION. EPA IS ALSO SEEKING TREBLE DAMAGES FOR FAILURE OF THE PROPERTY OWNER TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO CERCLA 106. DURING MARCH 16, 1990, RAID BY THE U.S. DEA AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, A LARGE AMOUNT OF CHEMICALS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH PLATING FACILITIES AND CHEMICALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS WAS DISCOVERED ON A TWO ACRE RANCH PROPERTY WITH A PRIVATE RESIDENCE OWNED BY MR. GERALD A. NIESEN. MR. NIESEN LEASED THE PROPERTY TO MR. DAVID GOFORTH. THESE CHEMICALS WERE REPORTEDLY BROUGHT TO THE PROPERTY BY A FRIEND OF MR. GOFORTH, MR. FRED FRIEDLI. A NOTICE OF VIOLATION WAS ISSUED BY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TO THE PROPERTY OWNER, MR. GERALD A. NIESEN, AND THE REPORTED OWNDER OF THE PLATING CHEMICALS, MR. FRED FRIEDLI, WHO HAD BEEN PLACED INTO CUSTODY BY THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR ALLEGEDDRUG MANUFACTURING. THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION REQUIRED THEM TO DEVELOP A WORKPLAN FOR THE SAFE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BY CLOSE OF BUSINE