(a) Discovery shall be in accordance with this section and § 304.31 of this part.

(b) Within thirty days after receipt of the notice of appointment of the Arbitrator (see § 304.22 of this part), EPA shall submit to the Arbitrator two copies of a written statement and shall serve a copy of the written statement upon all other parties. The written statement shall in all cases include the information requested in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(6), and (b)(7) of this section, shall include the information requested in paragraph (b)(2) of this section if the issue of liability of any participating PRP has been submitted for resolution, shall include the information requested in paragraph (b)(3) of this section if any issue concerning the adequacy of EPA's response action has been submitted for resolution or may arise during the Arbitrator's determination of the dollar amount of response costs recoverable by EPA, shall include the information requested in paragraph (b)(4) of this section if the issue of the dollar amount of response costs recoverable by EPA has been submitted for resolution, and shall include the information requested in paragraph (b)(5) of this section if any issue concerning allocation of liability for payment of EPA's award has been submitted for resolution.

(1) A statement of facts, including a description of the facility, the EPA response action taken at the facility, the response costs incurred and to be incurred by the United States in connection with the response action taken at the facility, and the parties;

(2) A description of the evidence in support of the following four elements of liability of the participating PRP(s) whose liability pursuant to section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a), is at issue, and any supporting documentation therefor:

(i) The site at which EPA's response action was taken is a facility as defined by section 101(9) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9601(9);

(ii) There was a release or threat of release within the meaning of sections 101(22) and 104(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9601(22) and 9604(a), of a hazardous substance as defined by section 101(14) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C 9601(14), at the facility at which EPA's response action was taken;

(iii) The release or threat of release caused the United States to incur response costs as defined in § 304.12(o) of this part; and

(iv) The participating PRP is in one of the categories of liable parties in section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a);

(3) An index of any documents which formed the basis for the selection of the response action taken at the facility (all indexed documents shall be made available to any participating PRP);

(4) A summary, broken down by category, of all response costs incurred and to be incurred by the United States in connection with the response action taken by EPA at the facility (supporting documentation for the summary shall be made available to any participating PRP pursuant to the procedures described in Rule 1006 of the Federal Rules of Evidence);

(5) To the extent such information is available, the names and addresses of all identified PRPs for the facility, the volume and nature of the substances contributed to the facility by each identified PRP, and a ranking by volume of the substances contributed to the facility;

(6) A recommended location for the pre-hearing conference and the arbitral hearing; and

(7) Any other statement or documentation that EPA deems necessary to support its claim.

(c) Within thirty days after receipt of EPA's written statement, each participating PRP shall submit to the Arbitrator two copies of an answer and shall serve a copy of the answer upon all other parties. The answer shall in all cases include the information requested in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(6), and (c)(7) of this section, shall include the information requested in paragraph (c)(2) of this section if the issue of the liability of the answering participating PRP has been submitted for resolution, shall include the information requested in paragraph (c)(3) of this section if any issue concerning the adequacy of EPA's response action has been submitted for resolution or may arise during the Arbitrator's determination of the dollar amount of response costs recoverable by EPA, shall include the information requested in paragraph (c)(4) of this section if the issue of the dollar amount of response costs recoverable by EPA has been submitted for resolution, and shall include the information requested in paragraph (c)(5) of this section if any issue concerning the allocation of responsibility for payment of EPA's award has been submitted for resolution:

(1) Any objections to the statement of facts in EPA's written statement, and, if so, a counterstatement of facts;

(2) Any objections to EPA's position on the liability of the answering participating PRP pursuant to section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a), a description of the evidence in support of the defenses to liability of the answering participating PRP which are specifically enumerated in section 107(b) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(b) (i.e., that the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance at the facility was caused solely by an act of God, an act of war, an act or omission of an unrelated third party, or any combination thereof), and any supporting documentation thereof;

(3) Any objections to the response action taken by EPA at the facility based upon any documents which formed the basis for the selection of the response action;

(4) Any objections to EPA's summary and supporting documentation for all response costs incurred and to be incurred by the United States in connection with the response action taken by EPA at the facility;

(5) Any documentation which the participating PRP deems relevant to the allocation of responsibility for payment of EPA's award.

(6) A recommended location for the pre-hearing conference and the arbitral hearing; and

(7) Any other statement or documentation that the participating PRP deems necessary to support its claim.

(d) EPA may file a response to any participating PRP's answer within twenty days of receipt of such answer. Two copies of any such response shall be served upon the Arbitrator, and a copy of any such response shall be served upon all parties.

(e) If EPA files a response, any participating PRP may file a reply thereto within ten days after receipt of such response. Two copies of any such reply shall be served upon the Arbitrator, and a copy of any such reply shall be served upon all parties.

(a) The Arbitrator and the parties shall exchange witness lists (with a brief summary of the testimony of each witness) and any exhibits or documents that the parties have not submitted in their pleadings pursuant to § 304.30 of this part, within 110 days after the appointment of the Arbitrator (see § 304.22 of this part) or within 10 days prior to the pre-hearing conference, whichever is earlier.

(b) The Arbitrator shall select the location, date, and time for the pre-hearing conference, giving due consideration to any recommendations by the parties.

(c) The pre-hearing conference shall be held within one hundred twenty days after the appointment of the Arbitrator (see § 304.22 of this part).

(d) The Arbitrator shall mail to each party notice of the pre-hearing conference not later than twenty days in advance of such conference, unless the parties by mutual agreement waive such notice.

(e) Any party may be represented by counsel at the pre-hearing conference. A party who intends to be so represented shall notify the other parties and the Arbitrator of the name, address and telephone number of counsel at least three days prior to the date set for the pre-hearing conference. When an attorney has initiated the arbitration by signing the joint request for arbitration on behalf of a party, or when an attorney has filed a pleading on behalf of a party, such notice is deemed to have been given.

(f) The pre-hearing conference may proceed in the absence of any party who, after due notice, fails to appear.

(g)(1) At the pre-hearing conference, the Arbitrator and the parties shall exchange witness statements, a stipulation of uncontested facts, a statement of disputed issues, and any other documents, including written direct testimony, that will assist in prompt resolution of the dispute and avoid unnecessary proof.

(2) The Arbitrator and the parties shall consider the settlement of all or part of the claim. The Arbitrator may encourage further settlement discussions among the parties. Any settlement reached may be set forth in a proposed decision in accordance with § 304.33 of this part. If such a settlement is not set forth in a proposed decision, the settlement shall be treated as an administrative settlement pursuant to section 122(h)(1) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(h)(1), and shall be subject to public comment pursuant to section 122(i) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(i).

(a) The Arbitrator may, in his sole discretion, schedule a hearing with the parties on one or more of the disputed issues identified in the statement of disputed issues pursuant to § 304.31(g)(1) of this part.

(b) The Arbitrator shall select the location, date, and time for the arbitral hearing, giving due consideration to any recommendations by the parties.

(c) The hearing shall commence within forty-five days after the pre-hearing conference (see § 304.31 of this part). The Arbitrator may, upon a showing by the parties that settlement is likely, extend the date for the hearing for up to thirty additional days, if further settlement discussions have been held pursuant to § 304.31(g)(2) of this part.

(d) The Arbitrator shall mail to each party notice of the hearing not later than twenty days in advance of the hearing, unless the parties by mutual agreement waive such notice. Such notice shall include a statement of the disputed issues to be addressed at the hearing. The Arbitrator need not mail a second notice to the parties if the date for the hearing is extended pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.

(e) Any party may be represented by counsel at the hearing. A party who intends to be so represented shall notify the other parties and the Arbitrator of the name, address and telephone number of counsel at least three days prior to the date set for the hearing. When an attorney has initiated the arbitration by signing the joint request on behalf of a party, or when an attorney has filed a pleading on behalf of a party, or when notice has been given pursuant to § 304.31(e) of this part, such notice is deemed to have been given.

(f) The Arbitrator shall make the necessary arrangements for the making of a true and accurate record of the arbitral hearing.

(g) The Arbitrator shall make the necessary arrangements for the services of an interpreter upon the request of one or more of the parties.

(h) The Arbitrator may take adjournments upon the request of any party or upon the Arbitrator's own initiative and shall take such adjournment when all of the parties agree thereto.

(i) The Arbitrator shall administer oaths to all witnesses before they testify at the arbitral hearing.

(j)(1) A hearing shall be opened by the recording of the location, date, and time of the hearing, the presence of the Arbitrator and the parties, and counsel if any, and by the Arbitrator's acknowledgment for the record of all pleadings and all other documents that have been filed by the parties.

(2) The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Arbitrator's jurisdiction as defined by § 304.20 of this part.

(3) The Arbitrator may, at any time, require oral statements clarifying the issues to be addressed at the hearing.

(4) The Arbitrator may require the parties to present witnesses for questioning by the Arbitrator and for direct and cross-examination by the parties on any of the disputed issues, except for any disputed issues concerning the selection or adequacy of the response action, which shall be governed by paragraph (j)(6) of this section.

(5) The Arbitrator shall define the scope of oral testimony. A party may present oral direct testimony only upon a showing of good cause why such testimony could not have been submitted in written form, or upon consent of all of the parties.

(6) Notwithstanding §§ 304.20(e)(1) and 304.20(e)(4) of this part, the Arbitrator may permit any party to supplement the documents which formed the basis for the selection of the response action (with additional documents, affidavits, or oral testimony), if any party demonstrates that supplementation is appropriate based upon applicable principles of administrative law.

(k)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (j)(6) of this section, exhibits and other documentary evidence not included in a party's pleadings, not exchanged prior to the pre-hearing conference pursuant to § 304.31(a) of this part, or not exchanged at the pre-hearing conference pursuant to § 304.31(g)(1) of this part, may be introduced at the hearing only upon a showing of good cause by the moving party or upon consent of all of the parties.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (j)(6) of this section, witnesses not identified in a party's witness list may be presented at the hearing only upon a showing of good cause by the moving party or upon consent of all of the parties.

(3) The Arbitrator shall be the judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence offered during the proceeding and of the applicability of legal privileges. Conformity to legal rules of evidence shall not be required.

(4) The Arbitrator may make such orders as may be necessary for in camera consideration of evidence for reasons of business confidentiality as defined by 40 CFR 2.201(e) and as consistent with section 104(e)(7) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9604(e)(7).

(l) The hearing may proceed in the absence of any party who, after due notice, fails to appear or fails to obtain an adjournment. If a party, after due notice, fails to appear or fails to obtain an adjournment, such party will be deemed to have waived the right to be present at the hearing.

(m) After all disputed issues have been heard by the Arbitrator, the Arbitrator may permit the parties to make closing statements, after which the Arbitrator shall declare the hearing closed.

(n) The hearing shall be completed within two weeks, unless the Arbitrator extends the hearing for good cause.

(o) The Arbitrator may permit the parties to submit proposed findings of fact, rulings, or orders within ten days after receipt of the hearing transcript or such longer time upon a finding of good cause.

(p) The parties may provide, by written agreement, for the waiver of the hearing.

(a) The Arbitrator shall render a proposed decision within forty-five days after the hearing is closed, or within forty-five days after the pre-hearing conference if no hearing is held, unless the parties have settled the dispute prior to the rendering of the proposed decision.

(b)(1) The proposed decision shall be in writing and shall be signed by the Arbitrator. It shall be limited in accordance with the Arbitrator's jurisdiction as defined by § 304.20 of this part, and shall, if such issues have been jointly submitted by the parties for resolution, contain the Arbitrator's determination of:

(i) Which participating PRPs, if any, are liable pursuant to section 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a);

(ii) The dollar amount of response costs, if any, to be awarded to EPA; and

(iii) The allocation of responsibility for payment of EPA's award, if any, among the participating PRPs.

(2) The proposed decision shall also assess arbitration fees and expenses (see § 304.41 of this part) in favor of any party, or combination of parties, and, in the event any administrative fees or expenses are due the Association, in favor of the Association.

(c) If the parties settle their dispute during the course of the proceeding, the Arbitrator may, upon the parties' request, set forth in the terms of the agreed settlement in a proposed decision. Except as provided in § 304.20(b) of this part, a proposed decision which embodies an agreed settlement shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this part, including, but not limited to, paragraph (e) of this section and § 304.40 of this part.

(d) The parties shall accept as legal delivery of the proposed decision the placing in the United States mail of a true copy of the proposed decision, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to each party's last known address or each party's attorney's last known address, or by personal service.

(e)(1) Pursuant to section 122(i) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice of the proposed decision shall be published promptly by EPA in the Federal Register. Such notice shall include the name and location of the facility concerned, the names of the parties to the proceeding, and a brief summary of the proposed decision, and shall provide persons who are not parties to the proceeding a thirty-day period in which to file written comments relating to the proposed decision. Any filed comments shall be made available to the participating PRPs and to the public. The participating PRPs shall have ten days from the close of the public comment period in which to submit to EPA in writing their views on the merits of any comments filed. EPA shall consider any comments filed, and shall, within thirty days after the close of the ten-day period during which the participating PRPs may submit their views on any comments filed, provide written notice to the Arbitrator and the participating PRPs. The written notice shall be made available to the public and shall include:

(i) A summary of any comments filed;

(ii) Responses to any comments filed;

(iii) A discussion of whether any comments filed disclose to EPA facts or considerations which indicate the proposed decision is inappropriate, improper or inadequate; and

(iv) EPA's determination as to whether modification of the proposed decision or withdrawal from the arbitral proceeding is necessary based upon such comments.

(2) If EPA's written notice does not state that modification or withdrawal is necessary based upon public comments, then the proposed decision shall become final thirty days after the date of issuance of EPA's written notice. If EPA's written notice states that modification or withdrawal is necessary, the parties shall have thirty days from the date of issuance of EPA's written notice to modify the proposed decision so that it is no longer inappropriate, improper or inadequate and to set forth the proposed decision, as modified, in an agreed settlement. If an agreed settlement is reached, such agreed settlement shall be the final decision. If the parties do not modify the proposed decision in an agreed settlement within thirty days, the proposed decision shall be null and void and of no legal effect, EPA shall withdraw from the proceeding, and the Arbitrator shall assess such administrative fees and expenses (see § 304.41 of this part) against the parties as the Arbitrator deems appropriate.

(f) Payment of EPA's award, if any, and any fees or expenses due pursuant to the final decision, shall be made within thirty days after the date of the final decision.

(g) The Arbitrator shall, upon written request of any party, furnish to such party certified facsimiles of all papers in the Arbitrator's possession that may be required in judicial proceedings relating to the arbitration pursuant to § 304.40 of this part.