THE TRAUB BATTERY AND BODY SHOP SITE(THE SITE) IS A FORMER BATTERY CRACKING FACILITY LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY FOUR ACRES IN THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. FROM APPROXIMATELY 1978 TO 1989, THE ADVANCE BATTERY COMPANY CRACKED OPEN USED VEHICLE BATTERIES AND REMOVED THE LEAD PLATES FOR RECYCLING. DURING THIS PROCESS, ACID FROM THE BATTERIES WAS DUMPED ON THE GROUND, ALONG WITH THE RESIDUAL AMOUNTS OF LEAD, RESULTING IN LEAD-CONTAMINATED SOIL. IN 11/90, THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS DEMOLISHED AND CLEARED AWAY THE STRUCTURES ON THE SITE. DURING THE DEMOLITION, THE WORK CREW DISCOVERED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS, APPARENT WASTE OIL, BATTERY PARTS, DISCOLORED SOIL AND STRESSEDVEGE- TATION. . ON 12/7/93, EPA SENT NOTICE LETTERS TO THE RESPONDENTS. ON 3/22/95, THE SAME PARTIES WERE SENT DEMAND LETTERS REQUEST- ING REIMBURSEMENT TO EPA OF $414,408.60, PLUS ANY ACCRUED INTEREST.