[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 30188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14083]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6991-6]


Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee 
Meeting

    Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 
notice is hereby given that the Research Strategies Advisory Committee 
(RSAC) of the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB), will meet on 
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 26 and 27, 2001 at EPA headquarters in room 
6013 of the Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20005. The meeting will begin by 8:30 a.m. and adjourn 
no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on both days. The meeting is 
open to the public, however, seating is limited and available on a 
first come basis.
    Purpose of the Meeting--The RSAC plans to complete its advisory on 
EPA's implementation of the peer review program. Two case studies have 
been selected (i.e., the review of the Agency's Risk Characterization 
Handbook, and a combined look at the reviews of the methodology for 
deriving ambient water quality criteria for the protection of human 
health and the methyl mercury bioaccumulation factors report) to better 
understand how the peer review guidance was followed, how the charge 
questions helped focus the review, and how the product was improved by 
the review. The Committee will also meet with Agency officials to 
continue to explore how the Agency identifies, evaluates, and uses 
science conducted outside EPA to inform its decisions and how the 
Agency is progressing with it's multiyear planning process.
    Charge to the Committee--The charge for the Committee' Advisory on 
the peer review process at EPA is: (a) Is EPA peer reviewing the right 
products? (b) Are the peer reviews conducted appropriately? (c) Do the 
peer reviews make a difference? (d) Does EPA peer review all the 
science it uses (e.g., data submitted from parties outside the Agency)? 
(e) Does the RSAC have additional comments/guidance for EPA?
    For Further Information--Any member of the public wishing further 
information concerning this meeting should contact Dr. John ``Jack'' R. 
Fowle III, Designated Federal Officer, Science Advisory Board (1400A), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4547; FAX (202) 501-0323; or 
via e-mail at [email protected]. For a copy of the draft meeting 
agenda, please contact Ms. Dorothy Clark, Management Assistant at (202) 
564-4537 or by FAX at (202) 501-0582 or via e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Materials that are the subject of this review are available from 
Ms. Barbara Klieforth of the Office of Research and Development (ORD) 
at (202) 564-6787 or by e-mail at [email protected].
    Providing Oral or Written Comments--Members of the public who wish 
to make a brief oral presentation (10 minutes or less) to the Committee 
must contact Dr. Fowle in writing (by letter or by fax--see contact 
information above) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time, Thursday, June 
19, 2001 in order to be included on the Agenda. 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 at least 35 copies of an outline of the issues to be 
addressed or the presentation itself. Written comments will be accepted 
until close of business June 27, 2001. See below for more information 
on providing written or oral comments.

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 the appropriate DFO 
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 (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 Dr. Fowle at least five business days prior to the meeting so 
that appropriate arrangements can be made.

    Dated: May 24, 2001.
Donald G. Barnes,
Staff Director, Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 01-14083 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
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