DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,347

ASTARIS, LLC
DRY VALLEY MINE
SODA SPRINGS, IDAHO

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of
its investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply
for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met - the sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated July 18, 2003 in response to a
petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
Astaris, LLC, Dry Valley Mine, Soda Springs, Idaho. The workers at
the subject firm mine phosphate rock.
The investigation revealed that sales, production, and
employment at the subject firm decreased absolutely from 2001 to
2002 and during the period of January through June 2003 when
compared to the same period in 2002.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
phosphate rock increased absolutely during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive those produced at the subject firm
contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of
workers and to the decline in sales or production and at that firm
or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I
make the following certification:
"All workers of Astaris, LLC, Dry Valley Mine, Soda Springs,
Idaho who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after July 15, 2002 through two years from
the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 25th day of July, 2003.


/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance