public comment sought on toxic chemicals in great lakes (fwd)

[Neil Tangri <ntangri@essential.org>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 17:59:13 -0500 (EST)
From: GROUP PRESS 202-260-4355 <PRESS@epamail.epa.gov>
Reply-To: epa-press@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov
To: Multiple recipients of list <epa-press@valley.rtpnc.epa.gov>
Subject: public comment sought on toxic chemicals in great lakes


!/public comment sought on toxic chemicals in great lakes/scroll
FOR RELEASE:  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1999

PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON TOXIC CHEMICALS IN GREAT LAKES

EPA is seeking public comment on information and data gathered to date by
EPA's 
Great Lakes National Program Office in its joint effort with Canada to
eliminate 
persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes.  Preliminary draft reports
are now 
available on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Mercury, Alkyl Lead,
Benzo(a)Pyrene 
and Hexachorobenzene.  The reports discuss sources that release the
substances and 
the regulations and programs that manage or control the releases.  The
reports were 
developed as a result of the Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual 
Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes, signed by both 
countries on April 7, l997.  In a separate action, in September l999, EPA 
Administrator Carol M. Browner proposed significant reductions in direct
discharges 
of most toxic chemicals into the Great Lakes through "mixing zones."  EPA
announced 
the availability of the preliminary draft reports and request for public
comment in 
the Federal Register on Nov. 1.  EPA will take public comment through Dec.
30.  
Copies of the preliminary draft reports and additional information are
available at:  
http://www.epa.gov/bns or from Dan Hopkins at 312-886-5994 or 312-886-2737
(fax) or 
at  hopkins.dan@epa.gov.

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