THIS PRE-REFERRAL WAS FORWARDED TO DOJ RECOMMENDING A SETTLEMENT RESOLVING THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY'S CERCLA LIABILITY WITHIN THE BUTTE PRIORITY SOILS OPERABLE UNIT OF THE SILVER BOW/BUTTE AREA NPL SITE. THE MONTANA POWER COMPANY AGREES TO PAY $100,000 TOWARDS EPA RESPONSE COSTS IN EXCHANGE FOR AN AGREEMENT FROM EPA NOT TO INITIATE ANY FURTHER JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION UNDER CERCLA FOR THIS CONTAMINATION.