[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30912-30915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14479]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6994-6]


EPA Science Advisory Board; Request for Nominations for the 
Arsenic Rule Benefits Review Panel; and Notification of Public Advisory 
Committee Meetings and Request for Nominations for the Advisory Council 
on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (Council)

ACTION: Request for nominations to the Arsenic Rule Benefits Review 
Panel of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory 
Board (SAB).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science 
Advisory Board is announcing the formation of an Arsenic Rule Benefits 
Review Panel (hereinafter, the ``Panel'') and soliciting nominations to 
this Panel. The EPA Science Advisory Board was established to provide 
independent scientific and technical advice, consultation, and 
recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA 
regulations. In this sense, the Board functions as a technical peer 
review panel.
    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership on the Panel. Nominees should be identified 
by name, occupation, position, address and telephone number. To be 
considered, all nominations must include a current resume providing the 
nominee's background, experience and qualifications.

Background

    Following the January 22, 2001 Federal Register promulgation of the 
arsenic rule, a number of issues were raised to EPA by States, public 
water systems, and others regarding the adequacy of science and the 
basis for national economic analyses informing decisions about the 
rule. Because of the importance of the arsenic rule and the national 
debate surrounding it related to the science and economic analyses that 
inform the decision, EPA's Administrator publicly announced on March 
20, 2001, that the Agency would take additional steps to reassess the 
scientific and economic issues associated with this rule, to gather 
more information, and to seek further public input on each of these 
important issues.
    Consistent with that commitment, the EPA Science Advisory Board 
(SAB) will convene a panel of nationally recognized technical experts 
to review the estimates of the benefits associated with the final 
arsenic in drinking water rule.
    An important aspect of forming any panel is the charge that is to 
be addressed during their review. At this time, the EPA charge to the 
subject panel has not been received. Once received, that charge will be 
placed on the Science Advisory Board website which can be found at 
www.epa.gov/sab/. Members of the public wishing to comment on the 
charge should send their comments to the Designated Federal Officer, 
Mr. Thomas Miller, as noted below. When the charge is placed on the SAB 
website, the date of its placement will be noted therein and comments 
on the charge will be accepted for ten calendar days following that 
date or the date for closing the nominations process which is the 
subject of this notice, whichever is later. In addition, the membership 
of the Panel itself will be posted at the same SAB website within 15 
calendar days of closure of the nomination period.
    The criteria for selecting Panel members are that Panel members be 
recognized experts in their fields; that Panel members be as impartial 
and objective as possible; that Panel members represent an array of 
backgrounds and perspectives (within the disciplines relevant to this 
review); and that the Panel members be available to participate fully 
in the review, which will be conducted over a relatively short time 
frame (i.e., within approximately 3 months). Panel members will be 
asked to attend at least one public meeting followed by at least one 
public teleconference meeting over the course of 3 months; they will be 
asked to participate in the discussion of key issues and assumptions at 
these meetings, and they will be asked to review and to help finalize 
the products and outputs of the Panel. The Panel will make 
recommendations to the Executive Committee (EC) of the SAB for approval 
of the Panel's report and transmittal to the Administrator.
    Nominations should be submitted to Mr. Thomas O. Miller, Designated 
Federal Officer, EPA Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (1400A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20460, telephone (202) 564-4558; FAX (202) 501-0582; or via e-mail 
at [email protected] no later than June 18, 2001. The Agency will not 
formally acknowledge or respond to nominations.

Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (the Council)

    Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 
notice is hereby given that the Advisory Council on Clean Air 
Compliance Analysis (the Council) of the EPA Science Advisory Board 
(SAB) will meet on the dates and times noted below. All times noted are 
Eastern Daylight Savings Time. All 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. Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (Council)--
June 22, 2001 Teleconference

    The Council will conduct a public teleconference meeting on Friday, 
June 22, 2001 between the hours of 1 pm and 3 pm (Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time). The meeting will be coordinated through a conference 
call connection in Room 6013 in the USEPA, Ariel Rios Building North, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. The public is 
encouraged to attend the meeting in the conference room noted above, 
however, the public may also attend through a telephonic link if lines 
are available. Additional instructions about how to participate in the 
conference call can be obtained by calling Ms. Diana Pozun one week 
prior to the meeting (June 15, 2001) at (202) 564-4544, or via e-mail 
at [email protected].

Purpose of the Meeting

    The purpose of this teleconference meeting is to begin the 
Council's process of providing advice to the Agency in developing the 
third in a series of statutorily mandated comprehensive analyses of the 
total costs and total benefits of programs implemented pursuant to the 
Clean Air Act. Section 812 of the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to 
periodically assess the effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments on 
the ``public health, economy and the environment of the United States'' 
and to report the findings and results of the assessments to Congress. 
Section 812 also

[[Page 30913]]

established the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (the 
Council) and gave it the following mission: ``to review the data and 
methodology used to develop the 812 Study and to advise the EPA 
Administrator concerning the utility and relevance of the Study.'' EPA 
has to date completed two assessments and received the advice of the 
Council on them: The Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act: 1970 to 
1990 (published, 1997) and The Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act, 
1990 to 2010 (published 1999). For copies of these reports, please 
visit our website (www.epa.gov/sab) under the REPORTS subheading.
    Council advice to the Agency for the third 812 Study will begin 
with the review of an ``analytical blueprint'' for the study. The 
purpose of this blueprint is to provide an opportunity for SAB and 
public review of the major goals, objectives, methodologies, and 
analytical choices for the study before it is implemented.
    The purpose of the call is to provide Council members and 
consultants with the opportunity to: (1) Clarify the charge question 
(see below) related to the ``analytical blueprint'' for the third 
Section 812 Study; (2) request any supplemental materials from the 
Agency; (3) ask questions on materials already received from the 
Agency; and (4) and discuss preparations for a public meeting of the 
Council Meeting on Monday and Tuesday, July 9-10, 2001 in Washington, 
DC (see below for details on the July meeting).

Availability of Review Materials

    Review materials for the meeting will include the following: 
``Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act 1990-2020: Draft Analytical 
Plan for EPA's Second Prospective Analysis.'' The document will be 
available upon request from Mr. Jim DeMocker via telephone (202) 564-
1673, fax (202) 564-1557, or email at [email protected].

For Further Information

    Any member of the public wishing further information concerning 
this meeting or wishing to submit brief oral comments must contact Dr. 
Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer, EPA Science Advisory Board 
(1400A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4562; 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 Dr. 
Nugent no later than noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time on June 15, 
2001.

2. Health and Ecological Effects Subcommittee (HEES) of the 
Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (Council)--June 
25, 2001 Teleconference

    The HEES, a subcommittee of the Council, will conduct a public 
teleconference meeting on June 25, 2001 between the hours of 11 am and 
1 pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). The meeting will be coordinated 
through a conference call connection in Room 6013 in the USEPA, Ariel 
Rios Building North, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20004. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in the conference 
room noted above, however, the public may also attend through a 
telephonic link if lines are available. Additional instructions about 
how to participate in the conference call can be obtained by calling 
Ms. Diana Pozun one week prior to the meeting (June 22, 2001) at (202) 
564-4544, or via e-mail at [email protected]

Purpose of the Meeting

    The HEES will review the Agency's proposed approach to assessment 
of health and ecological effects for the Section 812 Study and develop 
a draft response for the July 9-10, 2001 meeting of the Council to 
Agency charge questions on those issues.

Charge to the Subcommittee

    To review the Agency's proposed analytical methodologies and data 
sources for the third Section 812 Study and provide advice prior to 
implementation of those methodologies. Topics for the AQMS's advice 
regarding analytical methodologies and data sources include: (1) Health 
effects modeling; (2) ecological and welfare effects modeling; and (3) 
assessment of the effects of hazardous air pollutants

Availability of Review Materials

    Review materials for the meeting will include ``Benefits and Costs 
of the Clean Air Act 1990-2020: Draft Analytical Plan for EPA's Second 
Prospective Analysis.'' The document will be available upon request 
from Mr. Jim DeMocker via telephone (202) 564-1673, fax (202) 564-1557, 
or email at [email protected].

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 Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer, EPA 
Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 
564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at [email protected]. 
Requests for oral comments must be in writing (e-mail, fax or mail) and 
received by Dr. Nugent no later than noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time 
on July 2, 2001.

3. Air Quality Modeling Subcommittee (AQMS) of the Advisory Council 
on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (Council)--July 2, 2001 
Teleconference

    The AQMS, a subcommittee of the Council, will conduct a public 
teleconference meeting on Monday, July 2, 2001 between the hours of 2 
pm and 4 pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). The meeting will be 
coordinated through a conference call connection in Room 6013 in the 
USEPA, Ariel Rios Building North, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20004. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in 
the conference room noted above, however, the public may also attend 
through a telephonic link if lines are available. Additional 
instructions about how to participate in the conference call can be 
obtained by calling Ms. Diana Pozun one week prior to the meeting (June 
22, 2001) at (202) 564-4544, or via e-mail at [email protected]

Purpose of the Meeting

    The AQMS will review the Agency's proposed approach to emission 
inventories and air quality modeling and develop a draft response for 
the July 9-10, 2001 meeting of the Council to Agency charge questions 
on those issues.

Charge to the Subcommittee

    To review the Agency's proposed analytical methodologies and data 
sources for the third Section 812 Study and provide advice prior to 
implementation of those methodologies. Topics for the AQMS's advice 
regarding analytical methodologies and data sources include: (1) 
Emissions inventories and (2) air quality modeling.

Availability of Review Materials

    Review materials for the meeting will include the following: 
``Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act 1990-2020: Draft Analytical 
Plan for EPA's Second Prospective Analysis.'' The document will be 
available upon request from Mr. Jim DeMocker via telephone (202) 564-
1673, fax (202) 564-1557, or email at [email protected].

For Further Information

    Any member of the public wishing further information concerning 
this meeting or wishing to submit brief oral

[[Page 30914]]

comments (10 minutes or less) must contact Dr. Angela Nugent, 
Designated Federal Officer, EPA Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or 
via e-mail at [email protected]. Requests for oral comments must be 
in writing (e-mail, fax or mail) and received by Dr. Nugent no later 
than noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time on July 2, 2001.

4. Special Panel of the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance 
Analysis (Council)--July 9-10, 2001

    A special panel of the Council, which will include consultants 
expert in air quality modeling and assessment of health and ecological 
effects, will meet on Monday and Tuesday, July 9-10, 2001 in room 6013, 
USEPA, Ariel Rios Building North, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20004. The meeting will begin by 8:30 a.m. and adjourn 
no later than 5:30 pm on July 9, 2001 and will begin by 8:30 am and 
adjourn no later than 3 pm on July 10, 2001.

Purpose of the Meeting

    The special panel of the Council will review the major goals, 
objectives, methodologies, and analytical choices for the third 812 
Study before it is implemented.

Charge to the Panel

    To review the Agency's proposed analytical methodologies and data 
sources for the third Section 812 Study and provide advice prior to 
implementation of those methodologies. Topics for the Council's advice 
regarding analytical methodologies and data sources include: (1) 
Overall analytical scope and design; (2) scenario definition; (3) 
benefit and cost disaggregation; (4) cost estimation; (5) emissions 
inventories; (6) air quality modeling; (7) health effects modeling; (8) 
ecological and welfare effects modeling; (9) assessment of the effects 
of hazardous air pollutants; (10) economic valuation; (11) uncertainty 
characterization; and (12) results integration.

Availability of Review Materials

    Review materials for the meeting will include ``Benefits and Costs 
of the Clean Air Act 1990-2020: Draft Analytical Plan for EPA's Second 
Prospective Analysis.'' The document will be available upon request 
from Mr. Jim DeMocker via telephone (202) 564-1673, fax (202) 564-1557, 
or email at [email protected].

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 Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer, EPA 
Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 
564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at [email protected]. 
Requests for oral comments must be in writing (e-mail, fax or mail) and 
received by Dr. Nugent no later than noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time 
on July 2, 2001.

5. Council Contingent Teleconference--August 9, 2001

    The Council, may, depending on progress achieved in developing its 
report from the July 9-10, 2001 meeting, convene in a public 
teleconference on Thursday, August 9, 2001 between 1 pm and 3 pm. The 
meeting will be coordinated through a conference call connection in 
Room 6013 in the U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. The public is encouraged to attend 
the meeting in the conference room noted above, however, a limited 
number of the public may also attend through a telephonic link. 
Additional instructions about how to participate in the meeting can be 
obtained by calling Ms. Diana Pozun. prior to the meeting (see contact 
information given above).

Purpose of the Meeting

    The Council is scheduling this teleconference on a contingency 
basis. The teleconference will be convened only if, in the opinion of 
the Chair, it is needed to address issues that require further 
discussion prior to completion of the Committee's report. A decision as 
whether or not this teleconference will be convened will be made by 
close of business, July 30, 2001, 12 days prior to the tentatively 
scheduled date. The decision on the teleconference will be posted to 
the SAB website (www.epa.gov/sab); or members of the public may call or 
email Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 564-4544, or via e-mail at 
[email protected].

Availability of Review Materials

    If this teleconference is to be held, a list of the issues to be 
discussed, along with a draft meeting agenda, will be posted on the SAB 
website (www.epa.gov/sab) under the ``Agenda'' heading on or about 
April 13, 2001. If the meeting is canceled, a notice will be posted on 
the SAB website to that effect, as well.

For Further Information

    To obtain information concerning this contingent teleconference, 
please contact Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer (DFO) 
(telephone (202) 564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. To obtain information about how to participate 
in this teleconference, please contact Ms. Diana Pozun (see contact 
information previously given).

Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

    It is the policy of the EPA Science Advisory Board to accept 
written public comments of any length, and to accommodate oral public 
comments whenever possible. The EPA 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.

Meeting Access

    Individuals requiring special accommodation at these meetings, 
including wheelchair access to the conference room, should contact Dr. 
Nugent at least five business days prior

[[Page 30915]]

to the relevant meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

6. Request for Nominations for the Advisory Council on Clean Air 
Compliance Analysis (the Council)

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting 
nominations to the Council, or panels that provide the Council with 
detailed technical advice, for future reviews of the Agency's 
assessments under section 812 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of the 
effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments on the ``public health, 
economy and the environment of the United States.'' By Statute, the 
Council is composed of ``not less than nine members * * * in the fields 
of health and environmental effects of air pollution, economic 
analysis, environmental sciences, and other fields that the 
Administrator determines to be appropriate.'' Historically, the Council 
has been supported by two subcommittees, the Health and Ecological 
Effects Subcommittee and the Air Quality Modeling Subcommittees, which 
have advised the Council on technical issues. The EPA is especially 
seeking individuals with expertise in epidemiology related to air 
pollution effects, air quality modeling, and cost and benefit 
assessment as related to the effects of control of air pollution.
    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership on the subcommittee. Nominees should be 
identified by name, occupation, position, address and telephone number. 
To be considered, all nominations must include a current resume 
providing the nominee's background, experience and qualifications.
    The criteria for selecting Council members or members of panels 
providing the Council with detailed technical advice, are that members 
be recognized experts in their fields; that members be as impartial and 
objective as possible; that members represent an array of backgrounds 
and perspectives (within their disciplines); and that members be 
available to participate fully in the review, which will be conducted 
over a relatively short time frame. Members will be asked to attend at 
least one public meeting followed by at least one public telephone 
conference meeting over the course of 3 months; they will be asked to 
participate in the discussion of key issues and assumptions at these 
meetings, and they will be asked to review and to help finalize the 
products and outputs of the Council or technical panel. Any technical 
panel will make recommendations to the Council for approval of the 
Board's report and transmittal to the Administrator.
    Nominations should be submitted to Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated 
Federal Officer, EPA Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (1400A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20460, telephone (202) 564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at 
[email protected] no later than Wednesday, August 1, 2001. The 
Agency will not formally acknowledge or respond to nominations.

General Information

    Additional information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board, 
its structure, function, and composition, may be found on the SAB 
Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) and in EPA-SAB-01-002, Science 
Advisory Board FY 2000 Annual Staff Report: Making Science Real which 
is available on the SAB Website or 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.

    Dated: June 4, 2001.
John R. Fowle III,
Acting Staff Director, EPA Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 01-14479 Filed 6-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U