[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57295-57298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28728]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6180-7]
Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee
Meetings; Open Meetings
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-
463, notice is hereby given that four committees/subcommittees of the
Science Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on the dates and times described
below. All times noted are Eastern Time. All meetings are open to the
public. Due to limited space, seating at meetings will be on a first-
come basis. For further information concerning specific meetings,
please contact the individuals listed below. Important Notice:
Documents that are the subject of SAB reviews are normally available
from the originating EPA office and are not available from the SAB
Office--information concerning availability of documents from the
relevant Program Office is included below.
1. Clear Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)
The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of the Science
Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on Monday, November 16, 1998 at the
Sheraton Chapel Hill (formerly the Omni Europa) Hotel, One Europa
Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2301. The hotel phone number is (919) 968-
4900; fax (919) 968-3520. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and end no
later than 5:00 pm.
Purpose of the Meeting: At this meeting, the Committee will review
and provide advice to EPA on the external review draft document: Ozone
Research Needs to Improve Health and Ecological Risk Assessments. This
draft document characterizes major data gaps and issues, as well as
research needed to address them, to reduce uncertainties and improve
the scientific basis for assessment of ozone health risks, especially
as related to future periodic review and revision, as appropriate, by
EPA of the criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
for Ozone. The Committee will consider presentations from Agency staff
and the interested public prior to making recommendations to the
Administrator. The Committee will also receive a briefing from the
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) on the schedule
for the
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development of the Carbon Monoxide Staff Paper.
Availability of Review Materials: Interested parties may obtain a
copy of the external review draft of the Ozone Research Needs to
Improve Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (EPA/600/R-98/031) by
contacting Ms. Diane Ray (919) 541-3637; fax: (919) 541-1818; or via E-
Mail: [email protected], being certain to specify the document title
and number as stated here. For technical questions on this document,
please contact Dr. Robert S. Chapman (919) 541-4492; fax: (919) 541-
1818; or via E-Mail at: [email protected]. The document is
available for distribution on or about November 1, 1998. The Agency
will accept written comments on the draft document through December 15,
1998. Written comments should be submitted to Ms. Diane Ray, NCEA-RTP
(MD-52), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
For Further Information: Members of the public desiring additional
information about the meeting should contact Mr. Robert Flaak,
Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee,
Science Advisory Board (1400), Room 3702G, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 260-5133; fax at
(202) 260-7118; or via E-mail at [email protected]. A copy of the
draft Agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 260-8432; fax
at (202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at [email protected].
Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to
the Committee must contact Mr. Flaak in writing (by letter or by fax--
see previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time,
Tuesday, November 10, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.
Public comments will be limited to ten minutes per speaker or
organization. The request should identify the name of the individual
making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,
any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,
35mm projector, chalkboard, etc), and at least 35 copies of an outline
of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.
2. Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC)
The Science Advisory Board's (SAB's) Radiation Advisory Committee
(RAC) will meet on Tuesday, November 17 through Thursday, November 19,
1998. The meeting will convene each day at 9:00 am in the Science
Advisory Board Conference Room 3709 Waterside Mall, U.S. EPA
Headquarters, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460 and adjourn no
later than 5:30 pm each day.
At this meeting, the RAC will: (a) briefly discuss projects planned
for review in Fiscal Year (FY) 1999; (b) conduct an advisory on low-
activity radioactive waste; (c) hold a consultation on approaches to
calculate radon risks in light of the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation committee's report (BEIR
VI) on risks from indoor radon exposures; (d) receive a briefing on the
National Academy of Sciences Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
(NORM) report; (e) conduct a closure review of the draft report on
uncertainty in radiogenic cancer risk prepared by the RAC's Uncertainty
in Radiogenic (Cancer) Risks Subcommittee (URRS); and (f) discuss other
projects as time permits.
During this meeting, the RAC intends to draft its report on the
advisory for low activity radioactive waste, focusing on the technical
aspects of the disposal methodology and results of the Office of
Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) performance assessment analyses. The
charge questions to be answered include, but are not limited to the
following:
(a) Does the EPA dose assessment reasonably cover the hydrogeologic
and climatic settings that might be used for the disposal of low-
activity mixed waste?
(b) What modeling time frame does the Committee recommend be used
to project potential doses from disposal of low-activity mixed waste?,
and
(c) Is it reasonable to assign a constant ``high'' release rate for
the duration of the simulation, or does the SAB advise an alternative
approach such as assuming a lower release rate at the start and
increasing it incrementally over the modeling period, thereby mimicking
the gradual deterioration of the concrete?
For Further Information--Members of the public wishing further
information concerning the meeting, such as copies of the proposed
meeting agenda, the current draft of the URRS report, or who wish to
submit written comments should contact Mrs. Diana L. Pozun at (202)
260-8432; fax (202) 260-7118, or via E-Mail at: [email protected].
Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to the
Committee must contact Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian in writing (by letter or
by fax--see contact information below) no later than 12 noon Eastern
Time, Tuesday, November 10, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.
Public comments will be normally limited to ten minutes per speaker or
organization. The request should identify the name of the individual
making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,
any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,
35mm projector, chalkboard, easel, etc), and at least 35 copies of an
outline of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.
For further information, contact Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian, Designated
Federal Officer for the Radiation Advisory Committee, Science Advisory
Board (1400), U.S. EPA, Washington, DC 20460, phone (202) 260-2560; fax
(202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at: [email protected].
For questions pertaining to the background documents provided to
the SAB's RAC, please contact Dr. Mary E. Clark, (6601J), ORIA, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC
20460, tel. (202) 564-9348; fax (202) 565-2043; or E-mail:
[email protected].
3. Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC)
The Environmental Economic Advisory Committee of the Science
Advisory Board (SAB), will meet on November 18,1998, from 9:00 am to no
later than 4:00 pm at the Ramada Hotel Old Town, 901 North Fairfax
Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; telephone (703) 683-6000. This meeting
is open to the public, however, due to limited space, seating will be
on a first-come basis. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to
continue the review the economic analysis guidelines being developed by
the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency will also discuss their
possible role in the resumption of the Pollution Abatement and Control
Expenditures (PACE) survey.
Background Information on Economic Analysis Guidelines
The Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC or the
Committee) has been asked to review the revised Guidelines for
Preparing Economic Analyses, a document produced under the direction of
the EPA's Regulatory Policy Council. The guidelines are designed to
reflect Agency policy on the conduct of the economic analyses called
for under applicable legislative and administrative requirements,
including, but not limited to Executive Order 12866. These guidelines
are intended to provide EPA analysts with a concise but thorough
treatment of mainstream thinking on important technical issues to help
them conduct credible and consistent economic analyses. They refer to
methods and practices commonly
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accepted in the environmental economics profession; however, they are
not intended to preclude new or innovative forms of analysis. The
guidelines are shaped by administrative and statutory requirements that
contain direct references to the development of economic information
during the development of regulations.
This will be the second review meeting for the guidelines. The EEAC
was first briefed on the draft guidelines at its August 19, 1998
meeting. At that meeting, the Agency presented information on, and then
discussed with EEAC members, each section of the draft guidelines. The
Agency has made a number of adjustments to its draft document since the
August meeting (63 FR 41820-41823, August 5, 1998 ).
Charge to the Committee: Please refer to 63 FR 41820-41823, August
5, 1998 for the Charge.
For Further Information--Single copies of the guidelines
information provided to the Committee can be obtained by contacting Dr.
Brett Snyder, Director, Economy and Environment Division, Office of
Policy (2172), 401 M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, telephone (202)
260-5610, fax (202) 260-2685, or via E-Mail at: [email protected]. A
copy of the draft agenda is available from Ms. Dorothy Clark at (202)
260-6555; fax at (202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at
[email protected]. Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at
the meeting must contact Mr. Thomas Miller, Designated Federal Officer
for the Environmental Economics Advisory Committee, in writing no later
than 4:00 pm, November 11, 1998, at U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board
(1400), 401 M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, fax (202) 260-7118, or
via E-Mail at: [email protected]. The request should identify the name
of the individual making the presentation and an outline of the issues
to be addressed. In general, each individual or group making an oral
presentation will be limited to a total time of ten minutes. At least
35 copies of any written comments to the Committee are to be given to
Mr. Miller no later than the time of the presentation for distribution
to the Committee and the interested public. To discuss technical
aspects of the meeting, please contact Mr. Miller by telephone at (202)
260-5886.
4. CASAC Technical Subcommittee for Fine Particle Monitoring
The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Technical
Subcommittee for Fine Particle Monitoring will meet on Monday, November
30, 1998 at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA),
Environmental Research Center, Main Auditorium, Route 54 and Alexander
Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The meeting will begin at 8:30
am and end no later than 5:00 pm. This is the first meeting of this
reconstituted Subcommittee. Additional public meetings or public
teleconferences will take place, but are not yet scheduled.
Purpose of the Meeting
This technical subcommittee of CASAC was established in 1996 to
provide advice and comment to EPA (through CASAC) on appropriate
methods and network strategies for monitoring fine particles in the
context of implementing the revised national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. The Subcommittee provided
such advice on the Federal Reference Method and mass based fine
particle network in July 1996 and is now meeting to examine EPA's plans
and guidance for several components of the fine particle monitoring
network and how these components are linked to research priorities for
particulate matter. In preparation for the meeting, EPA will submit the
following background materials and draft documents for the
Subcommittee's consideration: (a) Overview of National PM
2.5 Monitoring Networks; (b) Particulate Matter (PM
2.5) Speciation Guidance Document (July 1998 draft); (c)
Report of the PM Measurements Research Workshop (Supersites Workshop
Report; 10/98); and (d) Draft Supersites Conceptual Plan (November 9,
1998)
At the meeting, staff from the Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards (OAQPS) and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) will
provide briefings regarding status and plans for the fine particle
monitoring program with an emphasis on the chemical speciation and
``supersite'' study programs. This will include an overview of the
draft guidance for network design, siting and operations, and the
strategy for integrating the planned monitors with particulate matter
related priority research needs identified by the National Academy of
Sciences Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate
Matter. The Agency staff and Subcommittee members will discuss the
specific issues for the Charge to the Subcommittee during the meeting.
Availability of Review Materials: Hard copies of the materials will
be available from Ms. Brenda Millar, Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards (MD-14), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Ms.
Millar can also be reached by telephone at (919) 541-4036 or by fax at
(919) 541-1903. Electronic versions of the documents will be available
on the Agency's TTN Bulletin Board, at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic.
For Further Information: Members of the public desiring additional
information about the meeting should contact Mr. Robert Flaak,
Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee,
Science Advisory Board (1400), Room 3702G, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 260-5133; fax at
(202) 260-7118; or via E-mail at [email protected]. A copy of the
draft agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 260-8432 or by
FAX at (202) 260-7118 or via E-Mail at [email protected].
Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to
the Subcommittee must contact Mr. Flaak in writing (by letter or by
fax--see previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern
Time, Tuesday, November 24, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.
Public comments will be limited to ten minutes per speaker or
organization. The request should identify the name of the individual
making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,
any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,
35mm projector, chalkboard, etc), and at least 35 copies of an outline
of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.
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 ten 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.
Additional information concerning the Science Advisory Board, its
structure, function, and composition,
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may be found on the SAB Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) and in The
Annual Report of the Staff Director which is available from the SAB
Publications Staff at (202) 260-4126 or via fax at (202) 260-1889.
Individuals requiring special accommodation at SAB meetings, including
wheelchair access, should contact the appropriate DFO at least five
business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can
be made.
Dated: October 21, 1998.
Donald G. Barnes,
Staff Director Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 98-28728 Filed 10-26-98; 8:45 am]
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