[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15433-15435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6708]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6955-2]


Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee 
Meetings

    Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 
notice is hereby given of two meetings of the Ecological Processes and 
Effects Committee (EPEC) of the US EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB). 
The meetings are open to the public, however, seating is limited and 
available on a first come basis. 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. Ecological Processes and Effects Committee (EPEC)--
Teleconference Meeting April 3, 2001

    The Ecological Processes and Effects Committee will meet by 
conference call from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Eastern time on Tuesday, April 3, 
2001. Members of the public wishing to call-in to the teleconference 
must make arrangements with Ms. Mary Winston by noon the Wednesday 
before the meeting. Instructions about how to participate in the 
conference call can be obtained by calling Ms. Mary Winston, Management 
Assistant, at (202) 564-4538, or via e-mail at: [email protected].
    Purpose of the Meeting--The purpose of the April 3, 2001 conference 
call meeting is to allow the Committee and the Agency to complete 
preparations for the face-to face meeting on April 20, 2001. The Agency 
will provide a briefing for the Committee on the Science to Achieve 
Results (STAR)

[[Page 15434]]

Water and Watersheds program (see background below), and the Committee 
will review the charge questions and review materials provided to them 
for the April 20, 2001 meeting.
Availability of Materials and Contact Information--See below.

2. Ecological Processes and Effects Committee (EPEC)--April 20, 
2001

    The Ecological Processes and Effects Committee will meet on Friday, 
April 20, 2001 at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, 250 Beach 
Street, San Francisco, CA 94133, telephone (416) 392-6700. The meeting 
will convene at 8:30 am Pacific time and will adjourn no later than 5 
pm.
    Purpose of the Meetings--The Committee will review the STAR Water 
and Watersheds program, based upon (a) written materials provided by 
the EPA, and (b) the research status reports presented at the EPA-
sponsored STAR Water and Watersheds Research Grants Progress Review 
Meeting, being held April 17-19, 2001 at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's 
Wharf. (Information on the EPA-sponsored meeting may be obtained from 
Mr. William Stelz--see Availability of Materials below)
    Background: The goals of the STAR Water and Watersheds program are 
to: (a) Develop an improved understanding of the natural and 
anthropogenic processes that govern the quantity, quality, and 
availability of water resources in natural and human-dominated systems, 
and an understanding to the structure, function, and dynamics of the 
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that comprise watersheds; and (b) 
promote integration across the biological, physical, and social 
sciences in the area of watershed management.
    In 1995, a joint solicitation sponsored by EPA-STAR and the 
National Science Foundation (NSF) was advertised. Six hundred eighty-
five proposals were received; 21 grants were funded by EPA and 15 by 
NSF. Because of the overwhelming response, the RFA was narrowed and has 
been the basis of the program ever since. In 1996, 11 grants were 
funded (8 EPA, 3 NSF); in 1997, 14 grants were funded (IO EPA, 4 NSF); 
in 1998, 15 grants were funded (9 EPA, 3 NSF, 3 USDA (new partner)); in 
2000, 11 were funded (8 EPA, 1 USDA, 2 NSF).
    The essence of the RFA is a Venn Diagram with intersecting circles 
of the ecological, physical and social sciences. Since 1996, only those 
proposals that integrate across all circles have been eligible for 
funding. In addition to integrating across disciplines, each proposal 
must demonstrate stakeholder involvement.
    While the basic RFA has been stable over time, there have been 
shifts in programmatic emphasis. In 1997, the RFA focused on watershed 
restoration, in 1998 on urban systems, and in 2000 on projects relevant 
to the development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) assessments. From 
Fiscal Year 1995 to 2000, the STAR Water and Watersheds grants have 
totaled about $30 million from EPA, about $12 million from NSF, and 
about $4 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    Charge to the Committee--The Agency is asking the Committee to 
consider the following charge questions as it evaluates the STAR Water 
and Watersheds program:

Program Design and Impact

    (a) Are the STAR Water and Watershed grants, taken collectively, 
producing a body of research that will improve our practical 
understanding of: (a) ``Natural and anthropogenic processes that govern 
the quantity, quality, and availability of water resources in natural 
and human-dominated systems,'' and (b) ``the structure, function, and 
dynamics of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that comprise 
watersheds''
    (b) Are the research findings likely to make a difference in 
environmental protection (i.e., are research results influencing Agency 
programs, directions, or regulations? influencing other organizations 
and other researchers?)
    (c) Is the requirement that grant proposals integrate ecological, 
physical and social sciences producing a unique body of research? Would 
funding each of the science areas individually have the same outcome? 
Is the integrated approach so important that it is giving us new 
insights into decision-making at the watershed scale?
    (d) As a result of the Water and Watersheds program, do we see any 
major advancements or breakthroughs in watershed science or 
interdisciplinary integration across the relevant disciplines?
    (e) How is the program perceived within and outside the research 
community? What changes would you recommend to the program managers?
    Availability of Materials--Copies of background materials provided 
to the Committee can be obtained by contacting Mr. William Stelz, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development/
NCER, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Mail Code 8723R, Washington, DC 20460. 
Mr. Stelz may also be contacted at telephone (202) 564-6834 or via e-
mail at [email protected]. Information on the STAR program also is 
available at http://es.epa.gov.ncerqa/grants. The draft meeting agenda 
will be posted on the SAB website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) 
approximately two weeks before the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Any member of the public wishing further 
information concerning this meeting or wishing to submit brief oral 
comments (10 minutes or less) must contact Ms. Stephanie Sanzone, 
Designated Federal Officer, Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4561; fax (202) 501-0582; or 
via e-mail at [email protected]. Requests for oral comments 
must be in writing (e-mail, fax or mail) and received by Ms. Sanzone no 
later than noon Eastern Standard Time on the Wednesday before the 
scheduled meeting.

Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

    It is the policy of the Science Advisory Board to accept written 
public comments of any length, and to accommodate oral public comments 
whenever possible. The Science Advisory Board expects that public 
statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of 
previously submitted oral or written statements. Oral Comments: In 
general, each individual or group requesting an oral presentation at a 
face-to-face meeting will be limited to a total time of ten minutes. 
For teleconference meetings, opportunities for oral comment will 
usually be limited to no more than three minutes per speaker and no 
more than fifteen minutes total. Deadlines for getting on the public 
speaker list for a meeting are given above. Speakers should bring at 
least 35 copies of their comments and presentation slides for 
distribution to the reviewers and public at the meeting. Written 
Comments: Although the SAB accepts written comments until the date of 
the meeting (unless otherwise stated), written comments should be 
received in the SAB Staff Office at least one week prior to the meeting 
date so that the comments may be made available to the committee for 
their consideration. Comments should be supplied to Ms. Sanzone at the 
address/contact information noted above in the following formats: one 
hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail 
(acceptable file format: WordPerfect, Word, or Rich Text files

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(in IBM-PC/Windows 95/98 format). Those providing written comments and 
who attend the meeting are also asked to bring 25 copies of their 
comments for public distribution.
    General Information--Additional information concerning the Science 
Advisory Board, its structure, function, and composition, may be found 
on the SAB Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) and in The FY2000 Annual 
Report of the Staff Director which is available from the SAB 
Publications Staff at (202) 564-4533 or via fax at (202) 501-0256. 
Committee rosters, draft Agendas and meeting calendars are also located 
on our website.
    Meeting Access--Individuals requiring special accommodation at this 
meeting, including wheelchair access to the conference room, should 
contact Ms. Sanzone at least five business days prior to the meeting so 
that appropriate arrangements can be made.

    Dated: March 12, 2001
Donald G. Barnes,
Staff Director, Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 01-6708 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P