| Expert consulting firm, Triangle Economics Research, used by ARCO against
the state claims of economic damages. |
Expert consulting firm, Triangle Economics Research, used by Fox River
Group to write state's analysis of economic damages. |
| 1990 --- State legislature provided $4.9 million to form state
NRDA program to address Clark Fork River issue. Hired 3 lawyers,
director, 2 scientists, administrative help, and 30 expert witnesses.
Eventually, $15 million was provided by state for expenses. (100
experts eventually used.) |
1997 --- Signed state/company agreement for $10 million, of
which $775,000 was used for state NRDA. Fox River Group selected
all consultants and expert witnesses to complete the project. |
| 1990-97 --- Produced a 30 volume "Report of Assessment."
1997 --- State took case to trial, over a period of a year.
1998 --- State recovered $215 million in partial settlement.
Included $80 million for cleanup of one area, and $15 million reimbursement
to state for legal and assessment expenses. Net NRDA gain was $120
million.
2000 --- Using the NRDA gain of $120 million, state created
the "Upper Clark Fork River Restoration Fund" as an ongoing grant program
to fund fish and wildlife habitat restoration projects along the river.
First year grants totaled $7 million, just using the interest.
State decided to spend only interest funds until "Record of Decision" is
final on the cleanup plan, so they can tailer bulk of restoration funds
to complement cleanup activities.
2001 --- State is considering pursuing second half of case to
gain an additional $200 million NRDA settlement from ARCO. |
1998 --- State formally announced beginning of state NRDA process,
with slim "Preassessment Screening" document.
1999 --- State produced 1-volume plan describing how a final
NRDA plan would be written, but final comprehensive NRDA plan was never
prepared.
2000 --- In a surprise announcement, state signed first settlement
with Georgia-Pacific Corporation (Fort James) for only $7 million.
2001 --- $7 million deal was suspended indefinitely following
a state Legislative Audit Committee hearing where serious questions were
raised about the adequacy of the settlement.
2002 --- A surprise $16.1 million settlement was announced with
Georgia-Pacific, with the state, joined by the federal government, tribes
and state of Michigan. (This is only 20% of the $73 million
share Georgia-Pacific was expected to pay under the Clinton Administration's
compensation plan.)
|
