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<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Release No. 05- 03<br>
April 8, 2005<br>
OEHHA Releases Draft Advisory on Mercury in Fish in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> and Other Water Bodies in the <st1:place
w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> Watershed<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Contact: Allan
Hirsch<br>
(916) 324-0995 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><st1:City
w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SACRAMENTO</span></font></st1:City>
-- The California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is seeking public comments on a <a
href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/trinitycrnr.html">draft fish advisory
concerning elevated levels of mercury in fish in Trinity Lake and selected
water bodies in the Trinity River watershed in Trinity County.</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>“The
pristine ambience of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> does not change
the fact that mercury from past mining activities and other sources was
released into the region's waterways, and has accumulated in the fish,”
OEHHA Director Dr. Joan Denton said. “The public should still enjoy
fishing in the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> watershed, but we
recommend that people – especially women of childbearing age and children
– carefully monitor how much fish they eat.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A fact sheet and <a
href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/TrinRiverF.html">draft report</a>
containing the proposed advisory and OEHHA's evaluation of potential health
threats in the fish posed by methylmercury (the most prevalent and toxic form
of mercury in fish) are available for viewing and downloading on OEHHA's Web
site at <a href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/">www.oehha.ca.gov </a>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>OEHHA staff
scientists will make a presentation, answer questions and accept public
comments on the draft advisory at a public workshop at 11:30 a.m. on May 3,
2005, at the Victorian Inn Conference Room, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street
w:st="on">1709 Main Street</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Weaverville</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:address>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Written comments on
the draft advisory can be sent until May 9, 2005, to OEHHA's Pesticide and
Environmental Toxicology Section, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">P.O.
Box 4010</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">95812-4010</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>.
OEHHA will review all comments, make any appropriate revisions and issue a
final advisory. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The draft advisory
contains proposed guidelines for consumption of fish from the following <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType>
water bodies: <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> (also known as <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Clair</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Engle</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType>),
the Trinity River, <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType>, Coffee Creek, Canyon Creek, Eastman Creek,
Eastman Dredge Ponds, Carrville Pond, Crow Creek, Tamarack Creek, the <st1:place
w:st="on">New River</st1:place> and the East Fork Trinity River and its
tributaries. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>One set of
proposed guidelines is for women of childbearing age and children age 17 and
younger, who are particularly sensitive to methylmercury. A second set of
proposed guidelines is for women beyond their childbearing years and men. Until
a final advisory is issued, OEHHA recommends that the public follow the advice
in the draft advisory. This replaces the <a
href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/TrinRiver.html">interim county
advisory</a> issued in July 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The draft advisory
contains the following recommendations for women of childbearing age and
children age 17 and under: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Limit consumption of all bass from all water
bodies named above to one meal a month, and also consumption of Chinook
(king) salmon from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and rivers and
creeks draining into the lake, to one meal a month. With the exception of
trout from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Carrville
Pond, consumption of all other sport fish species, including white catfish
from all water bodies and trout from any other water body, should be
limited to one meal a week. The one-meal-a-week recommendation also
applies to salmon from rivers and creeks below <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
Trout from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Carrville
Pond may be consumed up to three times per week for this population group.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The draft advisory
contains the following recommendations for women beyond childbearing years and
men: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Limit consumption of all bass from the water
bodies named above to one meal a week, and also consumption of Chinook
(king) salmon from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, and rivers and
creeks draining into the lake, to one meal a week. Consumption of all
other sport fish species, including white catfish and trout, should be
limited to three meals a week. The three-meal-a-week recommendation also
applies to salmon from rivers and creeks below <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The draft advisory
incorporates the results of fish sampling conducted recently in the <st1:place
w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> watershed by the U.S. Geological Survey and
the State Water Resources Control Board. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Mercury in fish
from the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> watershed originated
from the mining of mercury and gold, the majority of which took place from the
Gold Rush until approximately 1960. Miners used mercury to extract gold from
mined materials and discharged the waste into rivers and streams, where mercury
accumulated in the sediment. Bacteria converted the mercury to the more toxic
methylmercury, which fish take in from their diet. Methylmercury can accumulate
in fish to concentrations many thousands of times greater than mercury levels
in the surrounding water. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>After entering
rivers, streams, and estuaries, mercury accumulates in the sediment. Bacteria convert
the inorganic mercury to the more toxic methylmercury, which fish take in from
their diet. Methylmercury can accumulate in fish to concentrations many
thousands of times greater than mercury levels in the surrounding water. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Women can pass
methylmercury on to their fetuses through the placenta, and to infants through
breast milk. Excessive exposure to methylmercury may affect the nervous system
in children, leading to subtle decreases in learning ability, language skills,
attention and/or memory. These effects may occur through adolescence as the
nervous system continues to develop. In adults, the most subtle symptoms
associated with methylmercury toxicity are numbness or tingling sensations in
the hands and feet or around the mouth. Other symptoms at higher levels of
exposure could include loss of coordination and vision problems. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is one of six entities within the
California Environmental Protection Agency. OEHHA's mission is to protect and
enhance public health and the environment by objective scientific evaluation of
risks posed by hazardous substances.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Draft Health
Advisory for Fish from <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> and Selected Water Bodies In the Trinity River
Watershed (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>A Fact Sheet<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>[04/08/05]<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;text-align:center'><b><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Why has OEHHA developed a draft
health advisory for fish from <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> and selected water bodies in the <st1:place
w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> Watershed?<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Recent studies by
the U.S. Geological Survey and the State Water Resources Control Board
indicated that some species of fish in <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> and other water bodies in the <st1:place
w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> watershed contain elevated levels of
mercury and could pose a health risk to people who eat them frequently. The
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has evaluated the
health effects of eating fish from Trinity Lake (also known as Clair Engle
Lake), the Trinity River, Lewiston Lake, Coffee Creek, Canyon Creek, Eastman
Creek, Eastman Dredge Ponds, Carrville Pond, Crow Creek, Tamarack Creek, the
New River, and the East Fork Trinity River and its tributaries and has issued a
<a href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/trinitycrnr.html">draft report</a>
and health advisory with guidelines for the consumption of fish from these
water bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>OEHHA recommends that
individuals limit their consumption of bass, Chinook (King) salmon, white
catfish, and other types of fish from <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> and other listed water bodies in
the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place> watershed. One set of
guidelines applies to women of childbearing age and children age 17 and
younger, who are particularly sensitive to methylmercury (the most prevalent
and toxic form of mercury in fish). A second set applies to women beyond their
childbearing years and men. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Why is mercury
found in fish from this region?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Mercury
contamination of fish is a global problem. Emissions from volcanoes and
coal-burning power plants release mercury into the air where it can be carried
worldwide before being deposited in oceans, lakes, and rivers. In northern <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> water bodies,
however, mercury is also a legacy of gold and mercury mining activities that
began during the Gold Rush and continued until approximately 1960. Both gold
and mercury were mined in the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place>
watershed and some mercury remains today. The inactive Altoona Mercury Mine is
located along the East Fork Trinity River and is reported to contribute
significantly to the mercury content of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
Gold miners used mercury to extract gold from mined materials and discharged
the waste into streams, where the mercury accumulated in the sediment. Liquid
mercury moves relatively slowly through river systems and accumulates in places
where sediments are trapped, such as reservoirs. Bacteria convert this
inorganic form of mercury into a more toxic, organic form, known as
methylmercury, which fish take in from their diet. Methylmercury can accumulate
in fish to concentrations many thousands of times greater than mercury levels
in the surrounding water. Because methylmercury accumulates in fish slowly over
time, larger fish of a species usually have higher concentrations of
methylmercury than smaller fish from the same water body. Predatory fish, such
as bass, generally contain more methylmercury than non-predatory fish, such as
trout. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What are the human
health effects of methylmercury found in these fish? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Developing fetuses
and children are especially sensitive to methylmercury. Pregnant women and
nursing mothers can pass on methylmercury to their fetuses or infants through
the placenta and through breast milk. Excessive exposure to methylmercury can
affect the nervous system in children, leading to subtle decreases in learning
ability, language skills, attention, and memory. These effects may occur
through adolescence as the nervous system continues to develop. For this
reason, a more conservative set of guidelines applies to women of childbearing
years and children up to and including age 17. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In adults, the
most subtle symptoms of methylmercury toxicity are numbness and tingling
sensations in the hands and feet or around the mouth. Other symptoms at higher
levels of exposure could include loss of coordination and vision problems. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The levels of
methylmercury found in fish from these lakes and rivers should not result in
the health effects described above if the proposed guidelines are followed. The
extent of health effects depends on the amount of methylmercury that people
ingest from the fish that they eat and is also related to a person's body
weight. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What are the next
steps in OEHHA's evaluation?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>OEHHA is seeking
public comment on the draft report and advisory guidelines. OEHHA staff
scientists will make a presentation, answer questions and accept comments on
the draft advisory at a public workshop at 11:30 a.m. on May 3, 2005, at the
Victorian Inn Conference Room, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1709
Main Street</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Weaverville</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:address>. Written comments can also be
sent directly to OEHHA at the address below until May 9, 2005. OEHHA will
review all comments before issuing a final report and advisory. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Should
I stop eating all fish from these water bodies?</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>No. Fish are a
nutritious part of your diet when eaten in moderate amounts. By following
OEHHA's guidelines for eating fish from this region, you can reduce your risk
of health effects from exposure to methylmercury. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Because of the
increased sensitivity to methylmercury during periods of neurological
development, it is particularly important for women of childbearing age and
children age 17 and younger to follow the guidance provided. OEHHA offers
separate advice for women beyond their childbearing years and adult men. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Additionally,
because virtually all ocean and freshwater fish contain some level of
methylmercury, OEHHA recommends that women of childbearing age and children
aged 17 and younger do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish and
limit their total consumption of any locally caught sport fish to no more than
one meal per week, unless more restrictive advice is already in place. This
advice is consistent with recent federal guidance for consumption of commercial
and sport fish. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Where can I get
more information?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For information on
mercury and other contaminants in sport fish in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>, contact: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment<br>
Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section<br>
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">P.O. Box</st1:Street> 4010</st1:address><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">95812-4010</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>(916) 327-7319 or <a
href="http://www.oehha.ca.gov/">http://www.oehha.ca.gov </a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For information on
mercury in commercial fish, contact: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>U. S. Food and
Drug Administration<br>
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition<br>
1 (888) SAFEFOOD or <a href="http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/">http://www.cfsan.fda.gov
</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Address written
comments to: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dr. Robert
Brodberg<br>
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment<br>
Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section<br>
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">P.O. Box</st1:Street> 4010</st1:address><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">95812-4010</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Draft Health Advisory for Fish from <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType>
and Selected Water Bodies in the Trinity River Watershed (including Trinity
River, <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType>,
Coffee Creek, Canyon Creek, Eastman Creek, Eastman Dredge Ponds, Carrville
Pond, Crow Creek, Tamarack Creek, the <st1:place w:st="on">New River</st1:place>,
and the East Fork Trinity River and its tributaries)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Fish Consumption Guidelines*<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Type of Fish<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td width=193 valign=top style='width:144.75pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Women of
childbearing age and children age 17 and younger <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Eat No More
Than:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td width=102 valign=top style='width:76.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Women beyond
childbearing years and men <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Eat No More Than:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>All Sites, Except Specific Species at Sites Listed
Below<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>All Bass<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Month<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Chinook (King) Salmon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>White Catfish<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>All Trout<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Other Sport Fish Species including salmon from
rivers and creeks below <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lewiston</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=3 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Trinity</span></font></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType> (including rivers and creeks
draining into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Trinity</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Chinook (King) Salmon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Month<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Once a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lewiston</span></font></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Lake</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Carrville Pond<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=2 valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>All Trout<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>3 Times a Week<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=5 style='height:3.75pt'>
<td width=94 height=5 style='width:70.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;
height:3.75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:4.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td width=461 height=5 style='width:345.75pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;
height:3.75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:4.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td height=5 style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:3.75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:4.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td height=5 style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:3.75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:4.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=0>
<td width=81 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=392 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=173 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=102 style='border:none'></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>*MANY OTHER WATER
BODIES ARE KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO HAVE ELEVATED MERCURY LEVELS. If guidelines
are not already in place for the water body where you fish, women of
childbearing age and children aged 17 and younger should eat no more than one
sport fish meal per week and women beyond childbearing age and men should eat
no more than three sport fish meals per week from any location. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>EAT SMALLER FISH
OF LEGAL SIZE. Fish accumulate mercury as they grow. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>DO NOT COMBINE
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVICE. If you eat multiple species or catch fish from more
than one area, the recommended guidelines for different species and locations
should not be combined. For example, if you eat a meal of fish from the one
meal per month category, you should not eat another fish species containing
mercury for at least one month. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SERVE SMALLER
MEALS TO CHILDREN. MEAL SIZE IS ASSUMED TO BE 8 OUNCES FOR A 160-POUND ADULT.
If you weigh more or less than 160 pounds, add or subtract 1 oz to your meal
size, respectively, for each 20-pound difference in body weight. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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