ATSDR Mtg.

[Tony Chenhansa <tonyc@cpeo.org>]

Original Message --------
Subject: ATSDR Mtg.
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 16:41:23
From: Ken Kloc <kkloc@igc.org>
To: tonyc@cpeo.org

Hi, This is a message from Chris Shirley:

Please post to the list:


The Community/Tribal Subcommittee of the federal committee that advises
ATSDR will take public comment on how to improve community participation
during public health assessments conducted at DoD and DOE sites.  As you
may (or may not) know, ATSDR is required by CERCLA to conduct a public
health assessment at all Superfund sites.  The aim of these evaluations
is
for ATSDR to make a determination as to whether people are being exposed
to
hazardous substances from the subject Superfund site and if this
exposure
has the potential to cause harm to people living in the community.  In
the
past ATSDR has witten these assessments for EPA, to help EPA understand
the
scope of the problem before them.  ATSDR has been criticized, however,
for
ignoring the community during preparation of their health assessments.
ATSDR is struggling to refocus their progam to take into account
community
and tribal needs and concerns.  By in large they have been struggling
within their own organization; only recently (because of strong public
pressure) have they begun to reach out to communities and ask what
_they_
want.  

Tomorrow (Wednesday September 1) ATSDR wants to hear from people who
live
near DoD and DOD sites.  Unfortunately ATSDR did a poor job of informing
these communities that they will be accepting public comment, which is
why
you are hearing from me rather than them.  If you would like to comment
to
ATSDR about how they conduct public health assessments at DoD and DOE
sites
you may call a conference call line tomorrow between 10:30 - 12:00 noon
Pacific time.  The number is 1-800-311-3437.  Give the operator
conference
code # 102990

You may also attend the meeting at the Marriot Fisherman's Wharf, 1250
Columbus Ave, San Francisco, Golden Gate Ballroom, between 10:30 am and
5:30 pm, to make comments in person.

If nothing else, ATSDR needs to know that citizens out there want to
talk
to them!  So call if you can.   

                -- Chris Shirley
                   Arc Ecology