[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 52 (Monday, March 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14361-14362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05465]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0686; FRL 9960-12-OW]


Request for Public Comments on Peer Review Candidates for 
Proposed Modeling Approaches for a Health-Based Benchmark for Lead in 
Drinking Water

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests 
comments on the candidates being considered as expert peer reviewers 
for the draft modeling report entitled, ``Proposed Modeling Approaches 
for a Health-Based Benchmark for Lead in Drinking Water'' (lead 
modeling report). EPA is seeking comment and information about the 
expertise and qualifications of the candidates. See section II of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for the interim list 
of candidates.

DATES: Comments on the interim list of potential peer review candidates 
must be received on or before April 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments on the interim list of potential peer 
review candidates to EPA's peer review contractor, ERG, Inc., no later 
than April 19, 2017 by one of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected] (subject line: Lead in Drinking 
Water Peer Review).
     Mail: ERG, Inc., 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421, 
ATTN: Laurie Waite (must arrive by the comment period deadline).

[[Page 14362]]

    Please be advised that public comments are subject to release under 
the Freedom of Information Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the interim list 
of expert peer reviewers should be directed to ERG, Inc., 110 Hartwell 
Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421; by email [email protected] (subject line: 
Lead in Drinking Water Peer Review); or by phone: (781) 674-7362 (ask 
for Laurie Waite).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Process of Obtaining Candidates for Consideration

    EPA's contractor, ERG, is assembling a panel of scientific experts 
to evaluate the ``Proposed Modeling Approaches for a Health-Based 
Benchmark for Lead in Drinking Water'' report. EPA, through its 
contractor, is seeking peer reviewers who possess a strong background 
and demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: (1) 
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic modeling, particularly with 
regard to lead, (2) environmental lead exposure analyses, particularly 
with regard to probabilistic modeling. EPA published a request for 
nominations of peer reviewers in a January 19, 2017, Federal Register 
notice (82 FR 6546). The nomination period closed on February 21,2017. 
ERG also conducted an independent search for scientific experts to 
augment the list of publically-nominated candidates. In total, ERG 
evaluated 26 candidates that were nominated during the public 
nomination period or identified independently by ERG.

Screening Process

    ERG considered and screened all candidates against the selection 
criteria, which include the following: (1) Demonstrated expertise 
through relevant peer reviewed publications; (2) professional 
accomplishments and recognition by professional societies; (3) 
demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively in a 
committee setting; (4) absence of financial conflicts of interest; (5) 
no actual conflicts of interest or appearance of lack of impartiality; 
(6) willingness to commit adequate time for the thorough review of the 
draft report; and (7) availability to participate in-person in a one-
day or two-day peer review meeting in the Washington, DC, metro area, 
projected to occur in the summer of 2017 (exact date will be published 
in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the external peer 
review meeting). Following the screening process, the contractor 
narrowed the list of potential reviewers to 13 candidates. EPA is now 
soliciting comments on this interim list. EPA requests that the public 
provide relevant information or documentation on the expertise that the 
contractor should consider in evaluating these candidates. ERG will 
consider all comments received in response to this notice in the 
selection of the final peer review panel, which will collectively 
provide appropriate expertise spanning the subject matter areas covered 
by the report and, to the extent feasible, best provide a balance of 
perspectives. See section II of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
of this notice for the interim list of candidates.

Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers

    Peer reviewers will be charged with evaluating and preparing 
written comments on the lead modeling report. ERG will provide 
reviewers with a summary and compilation of public comments on the 
report submitted to EPA's docket (ID number EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0686) for 
consideration. Reviewers will participate in the public meeting 
expected to be held in the Washington, DC, metro area in the summer of 
2017 (exact date to be determined), to discuss the scientific basis 
supporting these materials. Following the meeting, ERG will provide a 
report to EPA of the peer reviewer's evaluation of the scientific and 
technical merit of the lead modeling report and their responses to the 
charge questions. EPA will make the final expert peer review report 
available to the public (exact date to be determined). In preparing the 
final lead modeling report, EPA will consider the expert peer review 
report as well as the written public comments submitted to the docket.

II. Interim List of Peer Reviewers

    ERG is considering the following candidates for the peer review 
panel. Biosketches are available through the docket at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0686). After review 
and consideration of public comments on the interim list of candidates 
being considered, ERG will select the final peer reviewers from this 
interim list, who will, collectively, best provide expertise spanning 
the areas of knowledge and experience described in the Federal Register 
notice (82 FR 6546) and, to the extent feasible, best provide a balance 
of perspectives. EPA will announce the peer review panel meeting date, 
location and observer registration details, along with the final list 
of peer reviewers selected by ERG, at least 30 days prior to the 
meeting.

Name of Nominee, Degree, Place of Employment

1. Stuart Batterman, Ph.D., University of Michigan
2. Teresa Bowers, Ph.D., Gradient Corporation
3. Panos Georgopoulos, Ph.D., Rutgers University
4. Philip Goodrum, Ph.D., Integral Consulting, Inc.
5. Bruce Lanphear, Ph.D., Simon Fraser University
6. France Lemieux, MCE, Government (Canada)
7. Anne Loccisano, Ph.D., Exponent, Inc.
8. Allan H. Marcus, Ph.D., Private Consultant
9. Marc A. Nascarella, Ph.D., Massachusetts Department of Public Health
10. Michele Provost, Ph.D., Polytechnique Montreal
11. Barry Ryan, Ph.D., Emory University
12. Ian von Lindern, Ph.D., TerraGraphics International
13. Kathleen Vork, Ph.D., California Office of Environment Health 
Hazard

    Dated: March 7, 2017.
Michael H. Shapiro,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2017-05465 Filed 3-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P