A geochemist and hydrogeologist with more than 30 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Hennet specializes in evaluating the origin, fate, and transport of organic and inorganic chemicals in the environment. Dr. Hennet is often retained as an expert witness for litigation in providing services to industry, law firms, and the U.S. Department of Justice. His areas of expertise include the analysis of geochemical fingerprints for organic and inorganic compounds including radionuclides and stable isotopes, the evaluation of the timing of chemical releases, the allocation of responsibilities for cost allocation, and geochemical modeling.

Dr. Hennet is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Chemical Society, the Geological Society of America, and the Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers. He was awarded the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Postdoctoral Scholarship in 1987 and has numerous publications in the fields of inorganic and organic geochemistry.

EDUCATION
  • PhD, Geochemistry, Princeton University, 1987
  • MA, Geology, Princeton University, 1983
  • Diplôme, 3eme Cycle, Hydrogeologie, Université de Neuchatel, Switzerland, 1981
  • Diplôme, Geologie, Sciences Exactes, Université de Neuchatel, Switzerland, 1980
REGISTRATIONS
  • Licensed Professional Geoscientist, Texas No. 425
  • Certified Professional Geological Scientist, No. 10572, American Institute of Professional Geologists
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
  • Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Geology
  • Origin, Fate, and Transport of Chemicals in the Environment
  • Environmental Forensics
  • Cost Allocation
  • Litigation Support
AWARDS AND HONORS
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: 1987–1989
  • Princeton University Fellowship: 1982–1987
  • Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship at Princeton University: 1981–1982
  • Mention Bien, Geologie, Universite de Neuchatel: 1980
APPOINTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
  • 2002 – 2005: Geological Sciences Advisory Board, University of Alabama
  • 1996 – 2001: Member of Governing Board, Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni
  • 2000: Convenor, THEIS 2000 Conference: Iron in Groundwater, National Ground Water Association
  • 1993 – 1999: Technical Advisory Board, Xetex Corporation
  • 1989 – 1992: Member of Steering Committee, Working Group 91, Scientific Commission for Oceanic Research
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)
  • Geological Society of America (GSA)
  • National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Cape Cod Wastewater2024-10-09T18:35:04+00:00
Cape Cod Wastewater

Cape Cod Wastewater

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Coronet Industries Alternative Site2024-10-30T17:08:50+00:00
Coronet Industries Site – Main Plant and Pond 1S

Coronet Industries Alternative Site

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1990 Bay Road Site2024-10-03T17:34:05+00:00

1990 Bay Road Site

Manufacturing Facility Groundwater Investigation and Remediation Oversight2024-10-09T18:55:36+00:00

Manufacturing Facility Groundwater Investigation and Remediation Oversight

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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

  • Andrews, C.B. and R.J-C. Hennet, 2022. Quest for Groundwater Quality Sustainability – Lessons From 40 Years of Remediation in the United States. Sustainable Horizons, v. 2, 100009. doi: 10.1016/j.horiz.2022.100009

  • Bessinger, B. and R.J-C. Hennet, 2019. Effectiveness of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) as a Groundwater Remedy for Arsenic in Phosphatic Wastes. Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation, v. 39, no. 4, pp. 52-68. doi: 10.1111/gwmr.12353

  • Soderberg, K., D.P. McCarthy, and R. J.-C. Hennet, 2015. Volatilization of Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Implication for their Distribution, Forensics and Toxicity in Urban Environments. Presentation at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, November 1-4, 2015, Baltimore, MD.

  • Soderberg, K. and R.J.-C. Hennet, 2014. Detection of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: History of Use as a Forensic Tool. in Goldstein, W. ed. Pharmaceutical Accumulation the Environment: Prevention, Control, Health Effects and Economic Impact. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL. 262 p.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 2010. PCBs in the Interstate Natural Gas Transmission System – Status and Trends. White Paper prepared for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 2010. Working with Lawyers: The Expert Witness Perspective. United States Attorneys’ Bulletin, v. 58, no. 1, pp. 14-17.

  • Soderberg, K., and R.J.-C. Hennet, 2007. Uncertainty and Trend Analysis — Radium in Groundwater and Drinking Water. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, v. 27, no. 4, pp. 122-127.

  • Soderberg, K., R. Hennet, and C. Muffels, 2005. Uncertainty and Trend Analysis for Radium in Groundwater and Drinking Water (abstract). Presentation at the 2005 National Ground Water Association Conference on Naturally Occurring Contaminants: Arsenic, Radium, Radon, and Uranium, February 24-25, 2005, Charleston, SC. in Abstract Book, pp. 30-44.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 2002. The Application of Stable Isotope Ratios in Environmental Forensics. in American Academy of Forensic Sciences Proceedings, pp. 103-104.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 2002. Life is Simply a Particular State of Organized Instability. in Fundamentals of Life, G. Palyi et al., eds. Paris, France: Elsevier, pp. 109-110.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C., and L. Chapp, 2001. Using the Chemical Fingerprint of Pharmaceutical Compounds to Evaluate the Timing and Origin of Releases to the Environment. in Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, v.4, no. 1, p. 101.

  • Vlassopoulos, D., C. Andrews, R. Hennet, and S. Macko, 1999. Natural Immobilization of Arsenic in the Shallow Groundwater of a Tidal Marsh, San Francisco Bay. Presentation at the American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting, Boston, MA, May 31-June 4, 1999.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Carleton, S. Macko, and C. Andrews, 1997. Environmental Applications of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Stable Isotope Data: Case Studies (abstract). Invited speaker at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, November.

  • Jiao, J., C. Zheng, and R. Hennet, 1997. Analysis of Under-pressured Reservoirs for Waste Disposal. Hydrogeology Journal, v.5, no. 3, pp. 19-31.

  • Voigt, D.E., S.L. Brantley, R. Hennet, 1996. Chemical Fixation of Arsenic in Contaminated Soils. Applied Geochemistry, v. 11, pp. 633-643.

  • Jiao, J., C. Zheng, and R. Hennet, 1995. Study of the Feasibility of Liquid Waste Disposal in Underpressured Geological Formations. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting, Baltimore, MD, May 30–June 2, 1995. in Eos Supplement, v. 76, no. 17, S137.

  • Vlassopoulos, D., P. Lichtner, W. Guo, and R. Hennet, 1995. Long-Term Controls on Attenuation of Mine-Waste Related Contamination in Alluvial Aquifers: The Role of Aluminosilicate Clay Minerals. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting, Baltimore, MD, May 30-June 2, 1995. in Eos Supplement, v. 76, no. 17, S150.

  • Feenstra, S., and R. Hennet, 1993. Assessment of Performance Limitations on Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) in Variable Soils. The Newsletter of the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers, v. 9, no. 3, pp. 112-113.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C., and S. Feenstra, 1993. Assessment of Performance Limitations on Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) in Variable Soils (abstract). Presentation at the Symposium on Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds in Ground Water, National Ground Water Association 45th Annual Convention, Kansas City, MO, October 17-20, 1993. in Ground Water, v. 31, no. 5, pp. 828-829.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C., and C. Andrews, 1993. PCB Congeners as Tracers for Colloid Transport in the Subsurface—A Conceptual Approach. in Manipulation of Groundwater Colloids for Environmental Restoration. Ann Arbor, MI: Lewis Publishers, pp. 241-246.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 1992. Abiotic Synthesis of Amino Acid Under Hydrothermal Conditions and the Origin of Life: A Perpetual Phenomenon? Invited speaker at the Gordon Research Conference on Organic Geochemistry, New Hampshire.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, N. Holm, and M. Engel, 1992. Abiotic Synthesis of Amino Acid Under Hydrothermal Conditions and the Origin of Life: A Perpetual Phenomenon? Naturwissenschaften, v. 79, pp. 361-365.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, and N. Holm, 1992. Hydrothermal Systems: Their Varieties, Dynamics, and Suitability for Prebiotic Chemistry. in Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere, Netherlands, v. 22, pp. 15-31.

  • Holm, N., A. Cairns-Smith, R. Daniel, J. Ferris, R. Hennet, E. Shock, B. Simoneit, and H. Yanagawa, 1992. Future Research. in Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere, v. 22, pp. 181-190.

  • Hunt, J.M., and R. Hennet, 1992. Modeling Petroleum Generation in Sedimentary Basins. in Productivity, Accumulation, and Preservation of Organic Matter Recent and Ancient Sediments. J. Whelan and J. Farrington, eds. New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 20-52.

  • Hunt, J.M., M. Lewan, and R. Hennet, 1991. Modeling Oil Generation with Time-Temperature Index Graphs Based on the Arrhenius Equation. AAPG Bulletin, v. 75, no. 4, pp. 795-807.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, and J. Schwartz, 1988. The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressure on Metal Transport in Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Systems. Chemical Geology, v. 69, pp. 321-330.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, and J. Schwartz, 1988. Organic Complexes in Hydrothermal Systems: Economic Geology, v. 83, pp. 742-767.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, and F. Sayles, 1988. Effect of Dissolved Organic Compounds on Trace Metal Mobility in Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Systems (abstract). Presentation at the Joint Oceanographic Assembly, Acapulco, Mexico, August 23-31, 1988. in Journal of Arboriculture, v. 14, Mexico 88, p. 43.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, and J.K. Whelan, 1988. In-Situ Chemical Sensors for Detecting and Exploring Ocean Floor Hydrothermal Vents. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Technical Report WHOI-88-53, p. 69.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 1987. The Effect of Organic Complexing and Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressure on Metal Transport in Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Systems. Unpublished PhD thesis, Department of Geochemistry, Princeton University. 308 p.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, E. Brown, and J. Schwartz, 1986. Transport of Base Metals in Hydrothermal Brines by Organic and Possible Thiocarbonate Complexes: The Genesis of Stratiform Sediment-Hosted Lead and Zinc Deposits. Conference Proceedings. in Geological Science, Stanford University, v. 20, pp. 197-198.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 1985. Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide and Base Metal Solubility: A Model for the Genesis of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits. Poster presentation at the Gordon Research Conference on Inorganic Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Deposits, New Hampshire.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, and E. Brown, 1985. Base Metal Transport by Organic Complexing in Ore-Forming Brines (abstract). in Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Hydrothermal Reactions. The Pennsylvania State University, p. 43.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, and J. Schwartz, 1985. Metal-Organic Complexes in Ore-Forming Brines. Presentation at the190th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Division of Environmental Chemistry, Chicago, IL, September 9, 1985.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 1983. Formation Constants of Lead and Zinc Metal-Organic Complexes Using Polarography (ASV, DPP), Specific Ion Electrodes (ISE), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Unpublished MA thesis, Princeton University.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, D. Crerar, J. Schwartz, and T. Giordano, 1983. New Ligand-Bond Mechanisms for the Transport of Zinc in the Genesis of Mississippi Valley-Type Ore Deposits. Eos, v. 64, no. 45, p. 885.

  • Flury, F.R., R. Hennet, and A. Matthys, 1981. Developpement des resources en eaux de la Ville de Delemont (Jura, Suisse). Unpublished Diplome d’Hydrogeologie. Centre d’Hydrogeologie. Universite de Neuchatel, Switzerland.

  • Hennet, R.J.-C, 1980. Cartographie de la Region Neuchatel-Valangin: Etude de la Mineralogie par Diffraction-X, de la Stratigraphie et des Microfacies du Valanginien. Discussion de Stratotype de Valangin. Unpublished Diplome de Geologie. University de Neuchatel, Switzerland.

TESTIMONY & DEPOSITION EXPERIENCE

DEPOSITIONS

  • 2024 – Metro Container Group v. AC&T, Co., Inc., et al. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Case No. 2:18-CV-03623-GEKP. May 15.

  • 2023 – Honeywell International Inc. v. R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company v. Tract II Betterment. United States District Court Western District of New York. Case No. 1:16-CV-00969SK(F). March 7.

  • 2022 – Hecla Limited et al v. The Travelers Indemnity Company et al. Eleventh Judicial District Court for the County of McKinley, State of New Mexico. Case No. D-1113-CV-2018-00086. September 20.

  • 2019 – Conservation Law Foundation, Inc. v. Longwood Venues & Destinations, Inc. et al. The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Civil Action No. 1:18-cv-11821-WGY. September 5.

  • 2018 – Hobart Corporation, et al. v. Dayton Power and Light Company, et al. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Western Division. Case No. 3:13-cv-00115-WHR. October 19.

  • 2017 – Peconic Baykeeper, Inc. and Soundkeeper, Inc. v. Rose Harvey, in her Official Capacity as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. United States District Court Eastern District of New York. No. 13-cv-06261 (JMA)(SIL). July 19.

  • 2017 – PJ & Associates, Inc. v. Ranjanben Patel; Nationwide Life Insurance Company; Pan Heritage, LLC; Nareshkumar Pankhania; Yogi Investments, Inc. United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division. Case No. 1:15-CV-02861-AT. June 7.

  • 2016 – PJ & Associates, Inc. v. Ranjanben Patel; Nationwide Life Insurance Company; Pan Heritage, LLC; Nareshkumar Pankhania; Yogi Investments, Inc. United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division. Case No. 1:15-CV-02861-AT. November 29.

  • 2016 – State of North Carolina ex rel. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources v. Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation Inc., et al. vs. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County in the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division. Case No. 13-CVS-14661. October 17-18.

  • 2016 – Tri-Realty Company v. Ursinus College. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Civil Action No. 2:11-cv-05885-GP. April 20.

  • 2015 – Duke Energy Progress, Inc. v. N.C Department of Environment Resources, et al. State of North Carolina, Wake County in the Office of Administrative Hearings. Case No. 15 HER 02581. July 9.

  • 2014 – United States of America v. Richard Middleton, Circle Environmental, Inc., BSJR, LLC, and WaterPollutionSolutions.com, Inc. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia Albany Division. Case No. 1:11-cv-00127-WLS. November 3.

  • 2014 – Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation vs. United Nuclear Corporation vs. The Travelers Indemnity Company, et al, State of New Mexico, County of Cibola Eleventh Judicial District. No. CV-97-139II. February 6.

  • 2013 – State of New Mexico ex rel. vs. Kerr-McGee Corporation et al. State of New Mexico, County of Cibola Thirteenth Judicial District Court. No. CB-83-190-CV & CB-83-220-CV (Consolidated). April 24-26.

  • 2012 – Grant Neibaur and Sons Farms, et al vs. The United States of America. U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. No. CIV 4:11-cv-00159-BLW. September 19.

  • 2012 – State of New Mexico ex rel. vs. Kerr-McGee Corporation et al. State of New Mexico, County of Cibola Thirteenth Judicial District Court. No. CB-83-190-CV & CB-83-220-CV (Consolidated). September 11-14.

  • 2012 – Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, et al. vs Century Aluminum Company, et al. District Court of the Virgin Islands Division of St. Croix. Civil No. 2005-0062. June 26.

  • 2012 – Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, et al. vs Century Alumina Company, et al. District Court of the Virgin Islands Division of St. Croix. Civil No. 2005-0062. June 25.

  • 2012 – ExxonMobil Oil Corporation vs Nicoletti Oil, Inc., et al. U.S. District Court Eastern District of California. No. 1:09-cv-01498-A WI-DLB. June 14.

  • 2012 – United States of America vs Dico Inc. and Titan Corporation. U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa. No. 4:10-cv-00503-RP-RAW. January 20.

  • 2011 – Joseph A. Pookatas, Donald L.Michel and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the State of Washington (Plaintiff Intervenor) vs Teck Cominco Metals, LTD. U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington at Yakima. CB-04-0256-LRS. June 10.

  • 2010 – United States Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources vs. St. Croix Renaissance Group, L.L.L.P., et al. District Court of the Virgin Islands Division of St. Croix. Civil No. 2007/114. October 20.

  • 2010 – In the Matter of the Application for Water Rights of Leadville Water, JV., in Park County, Colorado. District Court, Water Division No. 1, State of Colorado. 07CW251. September 22-23.

  • 2009 – Timm Adams et al. vs. United States of America et al. U.S. District Court, District of Idaho. 03-0049-E-BLW. January 15.

  • 2008 – Pennsauken Solid Waste Management Authority vs. Devoe et al. New Jersey Superior Court, Camden County, Law Division. No. L-13345-91. October 15.

  • 2007 – Arbitration in the Issue of PCB Contamination in the Little Mississinewa River, Union City, Indiana. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. August 22.

  • 2007 – San Diego Unified Port District vs. TDY Industries, Inc.; Ryan Aeronautical Company; Teledyne Ryan Company; Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Company; Teledyne Industries, Inc; Allegheny Teledyne, Inc.; Allegheny Technologies, Inc. United States District Court, Southern District of California. Case Number 03 CV 1146-B (POR). January 5.

  • 2006 – Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Natural Parks Conservation Association vs. Robert B. Flowers, Chief of Engineers, United States Army Corps of Engineers et al. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Case No. 03-23427-CIV-Hoeveler. October 31 and November 17.

  • 2003 – Linda Akee et al. vs. The Dow Chemical Company et al., Dole Food Company, Inc., Third-Party Plaintiffs vs. The United States of America, Third-Party Defendant. U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Civil Action No. CV00-00382 BMK. August 25.

  • 2000 – Chevy Chase Bank, FSB, Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant vs. Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises, LLC, Defendants/Counter-Plaintiffs. U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Southern Division. December 14.

  • 1999 – Textron vs. Ashland, Inc. et al. Superior Court of New Jersey.

  • 1999 – McMahon vs. The United States of America. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. Case No. L-99-009. December 1.

  • 1998 – Kay Bettis et al. vs. Ruetgers-Nease Corp. et al. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division. Case No. 4:90 CV 0502.

  • 1996 – State of Montana vs. Atlantic Richfield Company. U.S. District Court, District of Montana, Helena Division. Case No. CV-83-317-HLN-PGH.

  • 1996 – Kenneth Bowers vs. The United States and Tenco Services, Inc. U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Case No. 2:95-5568.

  • 1995 – Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. vs. Textron Inc. et al. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. Case No. 92-30393RV.

TESTIMONY

  • 2017 – United States of America vs. Dico, Inc. and Titan Tire Corporation. U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa. No. 4:10-cv-00503-RP-RAW. April 5.

  • 2015 – United Nuclear Corporation vs. London Insurance Companies. Eleventh Judicial District Court. County of McKinley, State of New Mexico. No. D-1113-CV-9700139. January 21 and 22.

  • 2013 – United States of America vs Dico Inc. and Titan Corporation. U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa. No. 4:10-cv-00503-RP-RAW. December 4.

  • 2009 – Timm Adams et al. vs. United States of America and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, a Delaware corporation. U.S. District Court, District of Idaho. Case No. CIV-03-0049-E-BLW. August 4, 5, 6.

  • 2008 – Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment vs. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. 4:05-CV-00329-TCK-SAJ. March 7.

  • 2006 – Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Natural Parks Conservation Association vs. Robert B. Flowers, Chief of Engineers, United States Army Corps of Engineers et al. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Case No. 03-23427-CIV-Hoeveler. November 28 and 29.

  • 2004 – 2005 – Universal Waste, Inc. and Clearview Acres, Ltd. Regarding Delisting Petition for Site Number 0633009. Adjudicatory Hearing by New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Hearings and Mediation. Site Number 0633009. October 27 and February 3.

  • 2004 – Part 31, City of South Lyon and the Citizens About Rushton Rezoning, Inc., Permit No.: M 00994; and Permit No: GW186300602. State of Michigan, Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Administrative Hearings, Lansing, MI. May 20, 21, and 27.

  • 2003 – Robert McMahon vs. The United States of America. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Case No. L-99-009. February.

  • 2001 – Bolinder et al. vs. United States. U.S. District Court, District of Utah. Case No. 2:97CV0912. May.

  • 1998 – State of Montana vs. Atlantic Richfield Company. U.S. District Court, District of Montana, Helena Division. Case No. CV-83-317-HLN-PGH, Natural Resource Damage Claim. January.

  • 1997 – In the matter of the claim of Missoula White Pine Sash Company, Missoula, Montana. Administrative hearing before the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board vs. Department of Environmental Quality, State of Montana. Claim No. 97-960307-P-00037. October.

  • 1996 – Doria Tartsah Goombi et al. vs. U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Hearings and Appeals, Hearings Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Case No. D95-179 (1-41). August.