Amata Releases Statement on StarKist Agreement with the EPA and DOJ
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released a statement on the news that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced an agreement with StarKist Co. and its subsidiary StarKist Samoa Company, in which the companies will make a series of upgrades to reduce pollution, improve safety measures, and comply with certain federal environmental laws at their tuna processing facility in American Samoa.
"Starkist is a major employer and partner in the community, and I commend their cooperation with these federal agencies to make these upgrades to the benefit of our community and coasts," Aumua Amata said. "We treasure our coasts and waters in American Samoa. I know the portion of the agreement resulting in the donation of $88,000 in emergency response equipment for the American Samoa Fire Department will be a welcome addition. I appreciate all the hard work that went into this joint proposal by DOJ, the EPA and StarKist for the federal court's approval."
Under this mutually negotiated Consent Decree between the parties, DOJ and EPA note that StarKist will enhance its environmental and safety measures further protecting American Samoan local communities and coastal waters.
In their court filing, the parties ask the Federal Court to recognize that the Consent Decree was negotiated in good faith and that it was fair, reasonable and in the public interest.
The DOJ and EPA further noted that StarKist has already performed a significant amount of the work to make corrections and that under the consent agreement Starkist will pay a civil fine and provide emergency response equipment to the American Samoa Department of Public Safety and Fire Services Bureau.
This proposed Consent Decree was filed in the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is subject to a 30-day comment period and subject to final court approval. A copy of the Consent Decree is available for anyone to review on the DOJ website at www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
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