[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 29 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7191-7194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3525]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6233-8]


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 
Board (SAB) will meet on the dates and times described below. All times 
noted are Eastern Time. All meetings are open to the public, however, 
seating is limited and available on a first come basis. Documents that 
are the subject of SAB reviews are normally available from the 
originating U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office and are 
not available from the SAB Office. Public drafts of SAB reports are 
available to the Agency and the public from the SAB office. Details on 
availability are noted below.

1. Environmental Modeling Subcommittee (EMS)

    The Environmental Modeling Subcommittee of the Science Advisory 
Board's (SAB) Executive Committee, will meet Tuesday and Wednesday, 
February 23 and 24, 1999 in the Administrator's Conference Room (Room 
1103 West Tower) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am on 
February 23 and adjourn no later than 5:00 pm on February 24.
    Purpose--The purpose of this meeting is to: (a) brief the SAB about 
the open architecture modeling paradigm being developed at EPA; (b) 
conduct a Consultation on the variability and uncertainty analysis 
efforts underway at the Agency; and, (c) conduct Advisories on EPA's 
Model Acceptability White Paper and the Charter for the proposed 
Committee for Environmental Regulatory Modeling (CREM).

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    SAB Consultation on Variability and Uncertainty Analysis--The 
Agency develops, evaluates, and applies a wide variety of highly 
complex environmental models. These models are used to coordinate and/
or predict the environmental consequences of a wide range of 
activities. Frequently, they become the basis for environmental 
cleanup, protection, or regulation. In order to ensure the adequacy of 
these models in their development, evaluation and application, it is 
imperative that the Agency understand the variability and uncertainty 
associated with the results of such models. The SAB has been asked to 
work with EPA to help them define and implement improvements to the way 
in which the Agency characterizes and deals with the variability and 
uncertainty associated with environmental regulatory models.
    The tentative charge for the SAB Consultation is to work with the 
Models-2000 Steering/Implementation Team (S/IT) to provide advice on 
the characterization of variability and uncertainty associated with the 
use of environmental regulatory models at EPA.
    SAB Advisory on Model Acceptability White Paper and the Charter for 
the Proposed Committee for Environmental Regulatory Modeling (CREM)--
The EPA has prepared a ``White Paper on the Nature and Scope of Issues 
on Adoption of Model Use Acceptability Criteria'' that proposes: (a) 
establishing an Agency-wide Committee on Regulatory Environmental 
Models (CREM); (b) developing guidance for model acceptance as well as 
clarifying the roles of Peer Review and Quality Assurance for model 
development and applications through the CREM; (c) providing 
information on model evaluation and use through a ``clearing house''; 
and, (d) reviewing through the CREM selected examples to determine 
progress in model evaluation. The SAB is charged to comment on:
    (a) the adequacy of this approach for helping model developers 
explain their models clearly, articulate major assumptions and 
uncertainties, identify reasonable alternative interpretations, and 
separate scientific conclusions from policy judgments.
    (b) whether the proposal is useful for models for health and for 
ecological risk assessments as well as for pollution prevention.
    (c) the adequacy and utility of the proposal for helping decision-
makers, other risk managers (e.g., assessors and their managers), and 
the public.
    (1) understand models used in a regulatory context.
    (2) evaluate the appropriate use for the results from models in 
decision making.
    (3) understand the ``unseen'' aspects of the modeling including 
choices made during regulatory use and the rationale for those choices.
    (d) the utility of the proposal to help those outside EPA 
understand the Agency's modeling goals and to help evaluate EPA's 
progress toward achieving those goals.
    (e) the overall utility and adequacy of the proposed ``Strategy for 
Defining Uncertainty in Model Elements and supporting ``How to'' 
guidances for judging model acceptability.
    For Further Information--Copies of the review documents and any 
background materials for the review are not available from the SAB. The 
review documents are available from the program office by contacting 
Mr. Johnny Pearson at (919) 541-0572; by fax at (919) 541-0445; or by 
e-mail at <[email protected]>.
    Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the 
meeting should contact Dr. Jack Fowle, Designated Federal Officer for 
the Environmental Models Subcommittee, Science Advisory Board (1400), 
Room 3702F, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC 20460 
at (202) 260-8325; by fax (202) 260-7118; or by e-mail at 
<[email protected]>. Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at 
the meeting must contact Dr. Fowle, in writing no later than 4:00 pm, 
February 19, 1999, at the above address, fax or e-mail. The request 
should identify the name of the individual who will make the 
presentation and an outline of the issues to be addressed. Copies of 
the draft meeting agenda are available from Ms. Dorothy Clark, 
Committee Operations Staff at (202) 260-4126; by fax at (202) 260-7118; 
or by e-mail at <[email protected]>.

2. Executive Committee (EC) of the Science Advisory Board

    The Science Advisory Board's (SAB) Executive Committee, will 
conduct a public teleconference meeting on Monday, March 8, 1999, 
between the hours of 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, Eastern Time. The meeting 
will be coordinated through a conference call connection in Room M3709 
of the Mall at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20460. The public is welcome to attend the meeting 
physically or through a telephonic link. Additional instructions about 
how to participate in the conference call can be obtained by calling 
Ms. Priscilla Tillery-Gadson at (202) 260-4126.
    During this meeting the Executive Committee plans to review drafts 
from its Committees. Anticipated drafts include: (a) Executive 
Committee (EC) Subcommittee: Data from Testing of Human Subjects; (b) 
Ecological Processes and Effects Committee (EPEC): Review of the 
Agency's Index of Watershed Indicators (IWI); and (c) Research 
Strategies Advisory Committee (RSAC): Review of the Agency' Science 
Budget for FY2000. It is possible that other draft reports may be 
available for review at this meeting as well. Please check with Ms. 
Tillery-Gadson prior to the meeting to confirm any changes in the 
planned review schedule.
    For Further Information: Any member of the public wishing further 
information concerning the meeting or wishing to submit comments should 
contact Dr. Donald G. Barnes, Designated Federal Officer for the 
Executive Committee, Science Advisory Board (1400), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Washington DC 20460; telephone (202) 260-4126; FAX 
(202) 260-9232; and via e-mail at: <[email protected]>. Copies of the 
relevant documents are available from the same source. The EPEC draft 
report is anticipated to be available on the SAB Website (http:///
www.epa.gov/sab) at least one week prior to the meeting. The RSAC draft 
report will likely not be available until the day of the meeting, given 
that the RSAC public review of the Agency's budget documents will not 
take place until March 3-4, 1999.

3. Integrated Human Exposure Committee (IHEC)

    The Integrated Human Exposure Committee (IHEC) of the Science 
Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 
10, 1999, beginning no earlier than 8:30 am and ending no later than 
5:00 pm on each day. The meeting will be held at the Radisson Barcelo 
Hotel Washington, which is located at 2121 P Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20037. For directions, please call the hotel at 202-293-3100. For 
further information concerning the meeting, please contact the 
individuals listed below.
    Purpose--The purpose of the meeting is to conduct two advisories 
and to receive three EPA briefings. The advisories will address: (a) 
the Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study; and (b) 
Ventilation, Indoor Air Quality and Energy Issues. The briefings will 
address: (a) EPA Healthy Buildings/Healthy People II; (b) the National 
Academy of Sciences Asthma Study; (c) and the EPA Water Consumption 
Report. A copy of the agenda may be obtained from Ms.

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Wanda Fields by telephone (202) 260-5510, by fax (202) 260-7118 or via 
e-mail at: <[email protected]>.
    Background on Briefings--The EPA will brief the IHEC on the 
Agency's water consumption report on March 9, 1999. EPA is now 
developing estimates of water intake for the United States based on the 
United States Department of Agriculture's 1994-1996 Continuing Survey 
of Food intake by Individuals. Included in the final report will be 
estimates of water intake by source (municipal tap, bottled water, and 
other sources) with percentile distributions by age, gender, race, 
socioeconomic status, and geographic region and separately for pregnant 
and lactating women. EPA anticipates wide use of the estimates in 
future drinking water rule-making activities. This will be one of two 
briefings for standing Science Advisory Board committees in preparation 
for a formal SAB review of the EPA water consumption report. The other 
briefing is scheduled to take place during the February 1999 meeting of 
the SAB's Drinking Water Committee. The formal SAB review which is 
scheduled during the Spring of 1999 will be conducted by both the 
Integrated Human Exposure Committee and the Drinking Water Committee. 
Any technical questions regarding the EPA Water Consumption Report 
should be directed to Ms. Helen Jacobs, Statistician, Office of Science 
and Technology, Office of Water, by telephone at (202) 260-5412, by fax 
at (202) 260-7185, or by e-mail at <[email protected]>.
    The Agency will also brief the IHEC on Healthy Buildings/Healthy 
People (HBHP) II on March 9, 1999. HBHP was initiated by the EPA Office 
of Air and Radiation and the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and 
Toxic Substances in July 1997 as a response to the Agency's need to 
address the risks from indoor pollution. The purpose of HBHP II is to 
develop an Agencywide strategy and action plan to address human health 
indoors in the 21st century. On July 22, 1997, the IHEC consulted with 
the Agency during the initial stages of this process. During the 
briefing on March 9, 1999, the Agency will update the IHEC on the 
status of Healthy Buildings/Healthy People II. In a future advisory, 
before the completion of the Agency's final HBHP action plan, the EPA 
plans to have the IHEC provide advice on scientific and technical 
issues related to the proposed actions. Any technical questions 
regarding this briefing should be directed to Ms. Mary T. Smith by 
telephone (202) 564-9370, fax (202) 565-2039 or e-mail at 
<[email protected]>.
    The topic of the last briefing, which is also scheduled for March 
9, 1999, is the NAS asthma study. The Office of Radiation and Indoor 
Air has provided a grant to the National Academy of Sciences/Institute 
of Medicine (NAS/IOM) to review the strength of the scientific evidence 
and the relative risk of indoor air pollutants in causing and/or 
triggering asthma, and the strength of the evidence regarding the 
effectiveness of prevention and mitigation strategies in controlling 
exposures to these pollutants. The NAS/IOM Committee will also 
determine the research needed in these areas. There may be a future 
IHEC advisory on EPA's follow-up to the NAS asthma study results. Any 
technical questions regarding this briefing should be directed to Dr. 
Pauline Johnston by telephone (202) 564-9425, fax (202) 565-2038 or e-
mail at <[email protected]>.
a. Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) Study Advisory
    Charge--The IHEC has been asked to respond to the following Charge 
questions: (a) Are the proposed data analyses the most relevant?; (b) 
Does the Committee have advice on additional analyses that should be 
considered? (c) How should the analyses be prioritized (considering the 
need to address relevant scientific issues and to address the most 
important programmatic needs and guidance development)? (d) What 
analyses must be done? Are there any analyses that EPA must do, rather 
than letting independent researchers do them?; and (e) Are there 
similar analyses, which have been conducted on other data sets that EPA 
should use to inform its data analysis efforts?
    Background--The Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation study is 
a cross-sectional multi-year study by the EPA Office of Radiation and 
Indoor Air. BASE was designed to define the status of indoor air 
quality and occupant perceptions in 100 office buildings across the 
country. All of the data have been collected and the Agency is seeking 
advice from the IHEC on the data analysis.
    For Further Information--Single copies of the relevant background 
documents may be obtained from Ms. Laureen Burton, Chemist, Indoor 
Environments Division, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, by telephone 
at (202) 564-9032, by fax at (202) 565-2071 or via e-mail at 
<[email protected]>. Ms. Burton should also be contacted regarding 
any technical questions on these materials.
b. Ventilation/Indoor Air/and Energy Advisory
    Charge--The IHEC has been asked to respond to the following Charge 
questions: (a) Is this project addressing the relevant issues?; (b) 
What additional advice does the Committee have regarding the adequacy 
of the analyses?; (c) Is the interpretation of the results reasonable, 
and do the conclusions follow logically from the results?; and (d) Does 
the Committee have advice on how the results can best be disseminated 
to the appropriate stakeholders?
    Background--This project represents a modeling effort designed to 
assess the compatibilities and trade-offs between energy, indoor air 
quality, and thermal comfort objectives in the design and operation of 
Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial 
buildings.
    For Further Information--Single copies of the relevant background 
documents may be obtained from Mr. David Mudarri, Economist, Indoor 
Environments Division, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, by telephone 
at (202) 564-9053, by fax at (202) 565-2071 or via e-mail at 
<[email protected]>. Mr. Mudarri should also be contacted regarding 
any technical questions on these materials.
    Public Comments--Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at the 
meeting must contact Ms. Roslyn Edson, Designated Federal Officer for 
the IHEC, in writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 2, 
by fax (202) 260-7118, or via e-mail: <[email protected]>. The 
request should identify the name of the individual who will make the 
presentation and an outline of the issues to be addressed.

Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

    The Science Advisory Board expects that public statements presented 
at its meetings will not repeat 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. This time 
may be reduced at the discretion of the SAB, depending on meeting 
circumstances. Oral presentations at teleconferences will normally be 
limited to three minutes per speaker or organization. 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

[[Page 7194]]

meeting date will normally be provided to the committee at its meeting. 
Written comments, which may be of any length, may be provided to the 
relevant committee or subcommittee up until the time of the meeting.

The Science Advisory Board

    Information concerning the Science Advisory Board, its structure, 
function, and composition, may be found in The FY1998 Annual Report of 
the Staff Director which is available from the SAB Committee Evaluation 
and Support Staff (CESS) by contacting US EPA, Science Advisory Board 
(1400), Attention: CESS, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460 or via 
fax (202) 260-1889. Additional information concerning the SAB can be 
found on the SAB Home Page at: http://www.epa.gov/sab.
    Copies of SAB prepared final reports mentioned in this Federal 
Register Notice may be obtained immediately from the SAB Home Page or 
by mail/fax from the SAB's Committee Evaluation and Support Staff at 
(202) 260-4126, or via fax at (202) 260-1889. Please provide the SAB 
report number when making a request.

Meeting Access

    Individuals requiring special accommodation at this meeting, 
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: February 4, 1999.
John R. Fowle, III,
Acting Staff Director Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 99-3525 Filed 2-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 6560-50-P