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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)
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: June 8, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 111)]
[Notices]
[Page 30912-30915]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jn01-54]
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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).
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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 miller.tom@epa.gov 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 pozun.diana@epa.gov.
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 democker.jim@epa.gov.
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 nugent.angela@epa.gov. 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 pozun.diana@epa.gov
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 democker.jim@epa.gov.
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 nugent.angela@epa.gov.
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 pozun.diana@epa.gov
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 democker.jim@epa.gov.
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 nugent.angela@epa.gov. 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 democker.jim@epa.gov.
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 nugent.angela@epa.gov.
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
pozun.diana@epa.gov.
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
nugent.angela@epa.gov. 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
nugent.angela@epa.gov 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]
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