[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11971-11974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5279]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5164-3]


Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee 
Meetings

    Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 
notice is hereby given that several committees of the Science Advisory 
[[Page 11972]] Board (SAB) will meet on the dates and times described 
below. All times noted are Eastern Time. Documents that are the subject 
of SAB reviews are normally available from the originating EPA office 
and are not available from the SAB Office, unless otherwise specified. 
All meetings are open to the public, however, due to limited space, 
seating at meetings will be on a first-come basis.

1. Executive Committee (EC)

    The Science Advisory Board's Executive Committee will conduct a 
public teleconference meeting on Monday, March 20, 1995, between the 
hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The meeting will be coordinated through a 
conference call connection at the Environmental Protection Agency, 401 
M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460. Additional instructions about how 
to participate in the conference call (in person or via telephone) can 
be obtained by calling Ms. Constance Valentine at (202) 260-6552 or FAX 
(202) 260-7118 no later than March 13.
    This is the first conference call meeting conducted by the 
Executive Committee. It stems from a recommendation of the Board's 
self-study committee that the SAB explore methods for speeding final 
action on reports from the Board's various committees. By conducting 
the final review of reports via conference call that take place between 
the quarterly face-to-face meetings of the Executive Committee, the 
production for final SAB reports can be shortened by as much as several 
weeks.
    In this meeting the Executive Committee plans to review three 
reports from two of its Committees: (1) Environmental Health 
Committee--(a) Review of the Agency's Reproductive Toxicity Risk 
Assessment Guidelines and (b) Commentary on the Benchmark Dose; and (2) 
Drinking Water Committee--Review of the Agency's Arsenic in Drinking 
Water Document. Copies of these documents are available from Ms. 
Valentine at the above phone numbers.
    Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the 
meeting or wishing to submit comments should contact Mr. A. Robert 
Flaak, Acting Designated Federal Official for the Executive Committee, 
Science Advisory Board (1400F), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Washington DC 20460; telephone (202) 260-6552; FAX (202) 260-7118; or 
via the INTERNET at [email protected].

2. Research Strategies Advisory Committee (RSAC)

    The Research Strategies Advisory Committee (RSAC) of the SAB will 
meet on March 17, 1995, at the Holiday Inn, 550 C Street SW., 
Washington, DC. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end no later 
than 5 p.m.
    The Research Strategies Advisory Committee routinely reviews broad 
issues related to the planning and management of research activities 
within the Agency. At this meeting, RSAC will receive briefings on the 
FY 1996 President's Budget Request for the Office of Research and 
Development (ORD), the status of several management and reorganization 
initiatives within ORD, and the Agency's Research Strategic Planning 
activities. Based on these presentations, RSAC will offer 
recommendations to the Agency and develop its agenda for formal reviews 
later in this fiscal year.
    Members of the public desiring additional information about the 
meeting, including a draft agenda, should contact Mrs. Constance 
Valentine, Staff Secretary, Science Advisory Board (1400F), US EPA, 401 
M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, by telephone at (202) 260-6552 or 
fax at (202) 260-7118. Anyone wishing to submit written comments must 
forward at least 35 copies of their comments to Dr. Edward S. Bender, 
Designated Federal Official, at the above address, no later than March 
13 for distribution to the Committee and the interested public. Dr. 
Bender may also be contacted via the INTERNET at: 
BENDER.EDWARD@EPAMAIL. EPA.GOV.

3. Radionuclide Cleanup Standards Subcommittee (RCSS) of the 
Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC)

    The Radionuclide Cleanup Standards Subcommittee (RCSS) of the 
Science Advisory Board's (SAB's) Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC), 
will continue its review of the technical basis of the Agency's Cleanup 
Standards for Radionuclides with a public teleconference meeting on 
Monday, March 27, 1995 from 11 am to 1 p.m. The RCSS formally began 
this review at its first public meeting on the topic on October 27 and 
28, 1994 (See Federal Register Vol. 59, No. 191, Tuesday, October 4, 
1994, pages 50600-50601), and had a follow-up review meeting on January 
26 and 27, 1995 (See Federal Register Vol. 60, No. 5, January 9, 1995, 
pp. 2386-2387). This teleconference meeting is open to the public, but 
the number of lines available is limited and available on a first-come 
basis. Additional instructions about how to participate in the 
conference call can be obtained by calling Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 
260-6552 or FAX (202) 260-7118 no later than March 21, 1995.
    The draft documents that are the subject of this review are 
available from the originating EPA office (see below) and are not 
available from the SAB Office. These draft documents are: (1) Radiation 
Site Cleanup Regulations: Technical Support Document for the 
Development of Radionuclide Cleanup Levels for Soil, Review Draft, 
September, 1994. and (2) Radiation Site Cleanup Regulations: Technical 
Support Document for the Development of Radionuclide Cleanup Levels for 
Soil, Appendices, September 1994.
    To discuss technical aspects of the draft documents, please contact 
Dr. Anthony B. Wolbarst, Chief, Remedial Guidance Section, Office of 
Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) (6603J), U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460, tel. (202) 233-9392. To 
simply obtain copies of the draft documents, please contact Ms. 
Virginia Stradford, Secretary, at (202) 233-9350, FAX (202) 233-9650. 
The background documents that support this review, as well as the draft 
documents listed above are available in the Agency's Air and Radiation 
Docket. Please address written inquiries as follows: USEPA, Attn: Air 
and Radiation Docket, Mail Stop 6102, Air Docket No. A-93-27, Room 
M1500, First Floor, Waterside Mall, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 
20460. The docket may be inspected from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, in Room M1500. A reasonable 
fee may be charged for copies of docket materials. Inquiries regarding 
access to the public information docket should be directed to Ms. Lynn 
Johnson, ORIA Staff at (202) 233-9383.
    The charge to the SAB is as follows:
    (a) Is the methodology used by the Office of Radiation and Indoor 
Air (ORIA) for evaluating source terms for radioactively contaminated 
sites, for modeling transport to people, and for estimating risk to 
individuals and populations acceptable for providing a technical basis 
for writing a cleanup standard?
    (b)(1) Are the assumptions for the combined residential/
agricultural land use scenario, and the pathways model, reasonable and 
suitable for assessing risk at radioactively contaminated sites?
    (2) Are the assumptions for the combined industrial/commercial land 
use scenario, and the pathways model, reasonable and suitable for 
assessing risk at radioactively contaminated sites? [[Page 11973]] 
    (c) Is RESRAD version 5.01 suitable for modeling radiation risk to 
individuals at radioactively contaminated sites?
    Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation at 
this teleconference should contact Mrs. Diana L. Pozun, Staff 
Secretary, RCSS, (tel. 202-260-6552; FAX 202-260-7118) no later than 
March 21, 1995, in order to advise the Agency of your desire to 
participate in the teleconference and to have time reserved on the 
agenda for public comments. For a copy of the teleconference draft 
agenda, please contact Ms. Pozun at the numbers given above. For 
questions regarding technical issues to be discussed, please contact 
Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian, Designated Federal Official, Science Advisory 
Board (1400F), US EPA, 401 M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, by 
telephone at (202) 260-2560, FAX at (202) 260-7118, or via the INTERNET 
at: KOOYOOMJIAN.JACK @EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV.

4. Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

    The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of the Science 
Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on March 21 and 22, 1995 at the Omni 
Europa Hotel, 1 Europa Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514. Phone: 
(919) 968-4900. The meeting will begin at 9 am and end no later than 5 
pm on both days. The Committee will meet to review and provide advice 
on the scientific and technical adequacy of two EPA draft documents 
under preparation for use by the Agency in decision-making on possible 
retention or revision of the current National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone. The documents to be reviewed are (a) the 
revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical 
Oxidants (Ozone Criteria Document, CASAC Review Draft, February, 1995; 
prepared by the Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office of the 
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development--ECAO) and (b) the Review 
of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: Assessment of 
Scientific and Technical Information--Draft Staff Paper (the Staff 
Paper; prepared by the U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards--OAQPS).

Ozone Criteria Document

    The Revised version of the draft Ozone Criteria Document (CASAC 
Review Draft, February 1995) incorporates revisions made in response 
both to public comments on a December 1993 External Review Draft (EPA/
600/AP-93/004a, b, c) of the document and to CASAC comments on that 
earlier draft from a July 1994 review meeting. In its review of the 
Ozone Criteria Document, the CASAC will focus on several key subjects, 
including the following:
    (a) Acute Ozone Exposure Effects on Human Health: Has the new data 
on acute ozone exposure effects (1 to 2 hour and 6 to 8 hour exposures) 
been adequately characterized in the revised Criteria Document? What is 
the public health significance of these findings from humans exposed to 
ozone concentrations lower than or equal to the current standard while 
undergoing intermittent, moderate exercise? To what extent does the 
data from acute exposure studies support the potential for possible 
chronic irreversible effects?
    (b) Chronic Effects of Ozone in Laboratory Animals: Recently, 
information has been developed from chronic exposures (in diurnal or 
seasonal exposure patterns) of laboratory animals to near-ambient 
levels of ozone. How can the chronic effects data from laboratory 
animal studies be credibly interpreted with regard to whether long-term 
exposure to ozone leads to development or exacerbation of chronic lung 
disease? Do the recent dosimetry model results discussed in the 
Criteria Document allow for application of this information to risk 
assessment for human population groups?
    (c) Characterization of Ozone Vegetation Effects: Characterization 
of ozone exposure parameters associated with effects on plants remains 
controversial. Has the Ozone Criteria Document adequately assessed and 
interpreted the available scientific literature on this subject 
(especially relative to agricultural crops, tree growth and 
reproduction, and subsequent impacts on natural ecosystems)? Of crucial 
interest is the relative importance of peak versus mid-level ozone 
concentrations in eliciting responses in plants.

Ozone Staff Paper

    The February 1995 Draft Ozone Staff Paper draws upon scientific 
evaluations contained in the above-mentioned Ozone Criteria Document 
and other information (e.g., estimated human exposures and risks) to 
assess health effects due to ozone. The draft Staff Paper includes 
preliminary staff conclusions and recommendations for further 
consideration of alternative primary NAAQS for ozone. A subsequent 
draft of the Ozone Staff Paper will include information and assessments 
of ecological effects. The key issues listed above, of interest in 
review of the Draft Ozone Criteria Document, are also important in the 
review of the Draft Ozone Staff Paper. In addition, CASAC will review 
the results of the Agency's (OAQPS) human exposure and health risk 
analyses.

Availability of Documents

    Copies of the revised Draft Ozone Criteria Document will be mailed 
to parties who submitted comments to EPA on the earlier December 1993 
External Review Draft. A limited number of copies of the Criteria 
Document will also be available to interested parties at the March 21-
22, 1995 CASAC meeting. Copies will also be available for public 
inspection in the EPA Air Docket (401 M St., S.W., Washington, DC). 
Following the March 21-22, 1995 meeting, further revisions to reflect 
that review and final editorial changes will be made to produce a final 
version of the document in time for EPA publication in 1995. For more 
information regarding the draft Criteria Document, contact Diane Ray 
(Phone: 919-541-3637; FAX: 919-541-1818).
    Single copies of the Ozone Staff Paper may be obtained from Dr. 
David J. McKee, Air Quality Standards and Strategies Division, Office 
of Air Quality Planning and Standards (MD-15), U.S. EPA, Research 
Triangle Park, NC 27711. Dr. McKee can also be reached by phone at 
(919) 541-5288 or by FAX at (919) 541-0237. The Office of Air Quality 
Planning and Standards (OAQPS) will accept written comments from the 
public on all aspects of their draft of the Ozone Staff Paper. Written 
comments will be accepted by Dr. McKee through April 15, 1995. Comments 
should be sent to Dr. McKee at the previously stated address.
    Single copies of the draft exposure analyses, and a draft health 
risk assessment report are available by contacting Mr. Harvey Richmond, 
U.S. EPA, MD-15, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Mr. Richmond can 
also be reached by phone at (919) 541-5271 or by FAX at (919) 541-0824. 
OAQPS will accept written comments from the public on all aspects of 
their draft exposure and risk analyses reports. Please forward comments 
to Mr. Richmond through April 15, 1995 at the previously stated OAQPS 
address.
    Members of the public desiring additional information about the 
meeting should contact Mr. Randall Bond, Designated Federal Official, 
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, Science Advisory Board (1400), 
U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, by telephone at 
(202) 260-8414 or by FAX at (202) 260-1889, or via the INTERNET at 
[[Page 11974]] [email protected]. Those individuals 
requiring a copy of the draft Agenda and the charge to the committee 
should contact Ms. Lori Anne Gross at (202) 260-8414 or by FAX at (202) 
260-1889 or via the INTERNET at [email protected]. Additional 
information concerning the Science Advisory Board, its structure, 
function, and composition, may be found in The Annual Report of the 
Staff Director which is available by contacting Ms. Gross at the 
previously stated address.
    Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to 
the Committee concerning the scientific issues contained in the draft 
document(s) must contact Mr. Bond in writing (by letter or by FAX--see 
previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time, 
Friday, March 10, 1995 in order to be included on the Agenda. Public 
comments will be limited to five minutes per speaker or organization. 
The request should identify the name of the individual who will make 
the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent, any 
requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g. overhead projector, 35mm 
projector, chalkboard, etc.), and provide at least 35 copies of an 
outline of the issues to be addressed or the presentation itself.

5. Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

    The Science Advisory Board expects that public statements presented 
at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or 
written statements. In general, each individual or group making an oral 
presentation will be limited to a total time of five minutes. For 
conference call meetings, opportunities for oral comment will be 
limited to no more than five minutes per speaker and no more than 
fifteen minutes total. Written comments (at least 35 copies) received 
in the SAB Staff Office sufficiently prior to a meeting date, may be 
mailed to the relevant SAB committee or subcommittee prior to its 
meeting; comments received too close to the meeting date will normally 
be provided to the committee at its meeting. Written comments may be 
provided to the relevant committee or subcommittee up until the time of 
the meeting.

    Dated: February 22, 1995.
Samuel Rondberg,
Acting Staff Director, Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 95-5279 Filed 3-2-95; 8:45 am]
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