REGION VIII HAS REFERRED AN ACTION UNDER SECTION 107(A) OF CERCLA TO RECOVER APPROXIMATELY $370,697 IN PAST RESPONSE COSTS AND ANY FUTURE COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE WESTCHEM SITE IN MINOT, ND. BEGINNING IN APRIL OF 1987, EPA TOOK ACTIONS TO INVESTIGATE AND ABATE THE RELEASE OF PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES DUE TO A FIRE AT THE WESTCHEM AGRICULTURAL WAREHOUSE IN MINOT. EPA IS NOW SEEKING TO RECOVER ITS PAST AND FUTURE RESPONSE COSTS FROM WESTCHEM AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS, INC AND UNITED AGRI PRODUCTS, THE FACILITY OPERATORS, AND WENCO, LTD AND THOMAS A. WENTZ, THE FACITLIY OWNER.