[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42706-42707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18156]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7529-3]


Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public 
Meeting Concerning Public Involvement in EPA Science Advisory Board 
(SAB) Activities and Announcement of a Public Comment Period on a 
Proposal to Reorganize the SAB

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is inviting 
members of the public to attend a public meeting as part of its 
continued effort to be more effective in obtaining public input in the 
SAB activities. The SAB Staff Office is also announcing a three-week 
public comment period on a proposal to reorganize the SAB.

DATES: The public meeting will take place on August 5, 2003, 10 a.m. to 
3 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Written comments on the proposed 
reorganization of the SAB may be submitted to Mr. Fred Butterfield at 
the address identified in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
no later than August 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Information about the meeting location will be announced on 
the SAB Web site, http://www.epa/sab one week before the meeting and 
also may be obtained by contacting Ms. Delores Darden as listed in the 
section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below. The meeting will take 
place in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the public 
meeting and the agenda, please contact Mr. Robert Flaak, telephone/
voice mail at (202) 564-4546, or via e-mail at [email protected]. 
Members of the public who have questions about, want to request a paper 
copy of the proposed reorganization, or would like to submit comments 
on the reorganization proposal should contact Mr. Fred Butterfield, 
telephone/voice mail at (202) 564-4561, via e-mail at 
[email protected], or at the mailing address indicated below. 
Members of the public who have logistical questions about the meeting 
described in this notice may contact Ms. Delores Darden, telephone/
voice mail at 202-564-2282, via fax at: (202) 501-0582, via e-mail at 
[email protected], or at the following mailing address: EPA 
Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1400A), 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460 (FedEx/Courier 
address: U.S. EPA SAB, Suite 6450, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20004). General information concerning the SAB can be 
found on the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Summary Information and Background Related to the Public Meeting

    This public meeting is the second in a series of semiannual 
meetings that the EPA SAB Staff Office plans to hold with the public as 
part of its efforts to enhance effective public input as it continues 
to improve SAB policies and procedures. A description of the background 
for Staff Office meetings on public involvement in SAB activities can 
be found in the Federal Register notice published on September 5, 2002 
(67 FR 56831-56832). At the August 5, 2003 meeting, the SAB Staff 
Office will provide a general update and take public comments on its 
planned efforts to improve policies and procedures at the SAB. One area 
of focus for discussions will be plans for developing a draft ``Guide 
to Effective Public Participation in SAB Meetings and Report 
Development.'' The Staff Office will also address questions from the 
public concerning the proposal for reorganizing the SAB and hear public 
comments on the proposal.

Summary Information and Background Related to the Proposed 
Reorganization of the SAB

    The SAB Staff Office is seeking public comments on a proposed 
organization of the SAB. The SAB Staff Office has worked extensively 
with the Reorganization Sub-Committee of the SAB Executive Committee 
and other EPA offices to develop this proposal. Background information 
on previous efforts to solicit public input concerning prospective SAB 
structural reorganization can be found in the Federal Register notice 
published on November 26, 2002 (67 FR 70729-70730). The Staff Office 
will consider public comments and consult with the SAB in making its 
final recommendations on the proposed reorganization to the EPA 
Administrator. The proposed SAB reorganization is available through the 
``Recent Additions'' link on the EPA SAB Web site or can be obtained 
from Mr. Butterfield (for addresses see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section above.) .
    The proposed reorganization is intended to enhance the ability of 
the SAB to carry out its critical mission more effectively. The Staff 
Office has identified three specific questions for public comment.
    (a) Does the proposed reorganization appear to more effectively 
support the SAB mission in improving the way science is developed and 
used in environmental decision-making within EPA through its advisory 
role and peer review function, and does it appear to be flexible enough 
to support the SAB's mission in meeting future environmental 
challenges?
    (b) Does the proposed reorganization appear to meet the SAB's goal 
of strengthening the independence of the SAB peer-review process and 
enhancing the quality of its peer review reports?
    (c) If the proposed reorganization is approved, are there any major 
considerations that the SAB Staff Office should be aware of in planning 
for and implementing the proposed reorganization, especially in regard 
to facilitating effective public involvement in SAB processes?
    Written comments on the proposed reorganization will be accepted 
until the date specified above. Written comments should be provided 
either in hard copy with original signature or electronic copy 
(acceptable file formats: Adobe Acrobat, WordPerfect, Word, or Rich 
Text files (in IBM-PC/Windows 95/98 format), and may be sent to Mr. 
Butterfield at the mailing or e-mailing addresses provided above.


[[Page 42707]]


    Dated: July 11, 2003.
Vanessa T. Vu,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 03-18156 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
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