ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Extends Public Comment Period for Coeur d'Alene River Basin Site
Public Health Assessment

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2005

ATLANTA - The public comment period for the public health assessment evaluating the possible public health impacts of lead and other metals from the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Site Operable Unit 3, also known as the Coeur d'Alene River Basin has been extended. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will accept comments through March 17.

The assessment details work previously completed at the site and includes agency findings and recommendations for clean-up and lead poisoning prevention. The document can serve as a resource for the public and the Basin Commission during implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Record of Decision and during its five-year review.

The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the assessment. The assessment can be viewed at www.atsdr.cdc.gov, and will be available for public comment and review at:

North Idaho College Library
1000 Garden Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 82814

St. Maries Public Library
822 W. College Ave
St. Maries, ID

Wallace Public Library
415 River St.
Wallace, ID 83873

Spokane Public Library
906 West Main Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201-0976

EPA Coeur d'Alene Field Office
1910 Northwest Blvd. Suite 208
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

EPA Seattle Office, Superfund Record Center
1200 Sixth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101

Please send requests for copies of the public health assessment and comments concerning the document to:
Chief, Records Management Activity, ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this public health assessment. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members may contact Health Communications Specialist Rose Jackson or Deputy Branch Chief Sven Rodenbeck, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Senior Regional Representative Richard Kauffman also may be contacted at 206-553-2632.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.