[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56831-56832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22609]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7273-2]


EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office Invitation to a Session 
on Public Involvement in EPA Science Advisory Board Activities

SUMMARY: The EPA Office of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) is inviting 
members of the public to register and attend a public session on public 
involvement in SAB Activities or to contribute information on that 
topic by email for persons unable to attend.
    The session will be held at the Hotel Washington at 515 15th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20004 on September 26, 2002 from 9:30 a.m. 
to 3 p.m.. The session is open to members of the public who register in 
advance. However, due to limited space, participation will be on a 
first-come basis. For further information concerning the meeting, 
registration procedures, or how to contribute information to the EPA 
Science Advisory Board Staff Office on the subject of the meeting, 
please see below.
    Purpose and Background: This session is the first in a series of 
semi-annual sessions that the Office of the EPA SAB Staff plans to hold 
with the public as part of its effort to continuously improve policies 
and procedures at the Board. The purpose of the sessions is to hear 
public concerns and suggestions for additional improvements in SAB 
policies and procedures. The EPA SAB Staff Office will consider these 
concerns and suggestions as it develops guidance and plans for the 
Staff Office and as it supports the Board. The SAB Staff Office will 
report on public concerns and suggestions to the EPA SAB's Policies and 
Procedures Subcommittee, as appropriate.
    The SAB was established by Congress in 1978 by the Environmental 
Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA) (42 
U.S.C. 4365). Since that time, the EPA Staff Office, has reported 
directly to the Administrator and has supported the work of the SAB. 
Composed of non-Federal government experts, the SAB provides the 
Administrator with outside, independent advice on scientific, 
engineering, economics, and social sciences issues that impact the 
technical basis for EPA positions, including regulations, guidance, and 
research plans. Generally, the SAB does not address policy aspects of 
problems confronting the Agency, since such matters are the 
jurisdiction and responsibility of the EPA Administrator.
    The SAB conducts its business in public view and benefits from 
public input during its deliberations. Through these public 
proceedings, Agency positions are subjected to critical examination by 
leading experts in various fields who serve on SAB Committees and 
Panels. By statute, the Board is subject to the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act that require public access and public 
input into the advisory processes.
    In addition, the EPA SAB Staff Office is holding this meeting to 
improve processes for public access and public input, as part of the 
Agency's overall efforts to implement its Draft Public Involvement 
Policy (65 FR 82335-82345, December 28, 2000). Consistent with that 
policy, the SAB Staff Office recognizes that it serves the general 
public, because every person living in the United States is an ultimate 
beneficiary of EPA actions to protect public health and the environment 
when those actions draw upon SAB advice. Thus the Staff Office invites 
written comments (details provided below on how to submit those 
comments) from individuals unable to attend the September 26, 2002 
session.
    Specific Format and Topics for the September 26, 2002 Session. A 
draft agenda for the session will be posted on the SAB website on or 
about September 6, 2002. The session will include a plenary session 
that will report on recent efforts to strengthen the SAB's panel 
formation process and will also orient participants to the two major 
topics for discussion: ``Public Involvement in SAB Meetings and Report 
Development'' and the ``SAB's Public Access Web site'' (http://www.epa.gov/sab). Break-out sessions will then follow and allow 
participants to ask questions and provide input on these two major 
topics.
    At the break-out session on Public Involvement in SAB Meetings and 
Report Development, topics to be covered will include: participants' 
views of the most valuable aspects of the current process and 
participants' suggestions for additions or changes to the process.
    At the break-out session on the SAB's Public Access Web site 
(http://www.epa.gov/sab), topics will include: Participants' views of 
the most valuable features and participants' suggestions for features 
or functions to add or change.
    Participants in the September 26, 2002 session will have the 
opportunity to participate in both break-out sessions.
    The last part of the agenda will allow participants to identify 
topics for future sessions being planned by the EPA SAB Staff Office.
    Registration for the September 26, 2002 Session. Persons wishing to 
register must send the following information by September 19, 2002 to 
Ms. Diana Pozun, Program Specialist, EPA Science Advisory Board at 
[email protected]: Name, Title, Organization, telephone number, fax 
number, email.
    Provision of Written Comments by Individuals Unable to Attend the 
September 26, 2002 Session. Persons unable to attend the public meeting 
who wish to provide written comments on the specific topics identified 
above may send those comments to Dr. Angela Nugent of the Science 
Advisory Board Staff by email at [email protected]. Written 
comments received prior to noon Eastern time on September 25, 2002 will

[[Page 56832]]

be included in the discussion at the public session.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Members of the public desiring additional 
information about the session on September 26, 2002, must contact Dr. 
Angela Nugent, Special Assistant to the Director, EPA Science Advisory 
Board (1400A), Suite 6450, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or 
via e-mail at [email protected]. Information on meeting logistics 
can be obtained from Ms. Diana Pozun, Program Specialist, EPA Science 
Advisory Board (1400A), Suite 6450, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 564-4533; fax 
at (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at [email protected].
    Meeting Access: Individuals requiring special accommodation at this 
meeting, including wheelchair access to the conference room, should 
contact Ms. Pozun at least five business days prior to the meeting so 
that appropriate arrangements can be made.

    Dated: August 29, 2002.
Vanessa T. Vu,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 02-22609 Filed 9-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P