THIS ACTION IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR LODGING OF PARTIAL CONSENT DECREE COVERING PRE-DESIGN STUDIES, REMEDIAL DESIGN AND PORTIONS OF REMEDIAL ACTION AT THE GOULD SUPERFUND SITE IN PORTLAND, OR. ALSO ENCLOSED IS A 'MINI' LITIGATION REPORT ANALYZING THIS DECREE IN TERMS OF EPA'S SETTLEMENT POLICY CRITERIA. THE DECREE WHICH HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY DOJ AND EPA STAFF, INVOLVES A SETTLEMENT WITH N L INDUSTRIES INC FOR $2,250,000. TO SUPPORT THE PRE-DESIGN STUDIES, REMEDIAL DESIGN AND PARTIAL REMEDIAL ACTION AT THE SITE. A COVENANT NOT TO SUE IS PROVIDED ONLY FOR THE WORK THAT N L IS PERFORMING PURSUANT TO THIS DECREE. NO OTHER COVENANTS ARE PROVIDED. REGION 10 IS RECOMMENDING THAT THIS PROPOSED DECREE BE ACCEPTED AND FORMALLY EXECUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. A REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION AND FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE GOULD INC SITE CONDUCTED BY PRP'S PURSUANT TO AN ADMINISTRA- TIVE ORDER ON CONSENT ISSUED BY EPA, WAS COMPLETED IN 2/88. EPA ISSUED A ROD IN 3/88, SETTING FORTH THE SELECTED REMEDIAL ACTION FOR THE SITE. SPECIAL NOTICE LETTERS WERE SENT TO PRP'S PURSUANT TO SECTION 122 OF CERCLA, 42 USC, 9622, INITIATING A NEGOTIATION MORATORIUM BETWEEN EPA AND THESE PARTIES. AFTER EXTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS, THE ENCLOSED PARTIAL CONSENT DECREE HAS BEEN AGREED TO BY THE SETTLING DEFENDANT.