Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meetings; Open Meetings

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6180-7]

Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee

Meetings; Open Meetings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-

463, notice is hereby given that four committees/subcommittees of the

Science Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on the dates and times described

below. All times noted are Eastern Time. All meetings are open to the

public. Due to limited space, seating at meetings will be on a first-

come basis. For further information concerning specific meetings,

please contact the individuals listed below. 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. Clear Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of the Science

Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on Monday, November 16, 1998 at the

Sheraton Chapel Hill (formerly the Omni Europa) Hotel, One Europa

Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2301. The hotel phone number is (919) 968-

4900; fax (919) 968-3520. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and end no

later than 5:00 pm.

Purpose of the Meeting: At this meeting, the Committee will review

and provide advice to EPA on the external review draft document: Ozone

Research Needs to Improve Health and Ecological Risk Assessments. This

draft document characterizes major data gaps and issues, as well as

research needed to address them, to reduce uncertainties and improve

the scientific basis for assessment of ozone health risks, especially

as related to future periodic review and revision, as appropriate, by

EPA of the criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

for Ozone. The Committee will consider presentations from Agency staff

and the interested public prior to making recommendations to the

Administrator. The Committee will also receive a briefing from the

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) on the schedule

for the

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development of the Carbon Monoxide Staff Paper.

Availability of Review Materials: Interested parties may obtain a

copy of the external review draft of the Ozone Research Needs to

Improve Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (EPA/600/R-98/031) by

contacting Ms. Diane Ray (919) 541-3637; fax: (919) 541-1818; or via E-

Mail: [email protected], being certain to specify the document title

and number as stated here. For technical questions on this document,

please contact Dr. Robert S. Chapman (919) 541-4492; fax: (919) 541-

1818; or via E-Mail at: [email protected]. The document is

available for distribution on or about November 1, 1998. The Agency

will accept written comments on the draft document through December 15,

1998. Written comments should be submitted to Ms. Diane Ray, NCEA-RTP

(MD-52), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.

For Further Information: Members of the public desiring additional

information about the meeting should contact Mr. Robert Flaak,

Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee,

Science Advisory Board (1400), Room 3702G, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 260-5133; fax at

(202) 260-7118; or via E-mail at [email protected]. A copy of the

draft Agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 260-8432; fax

at (202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at [email protected].

Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to

the Committee must contact Mr. Flaak in writing (by letter or by fax--

see previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time,

Tuesday, November 10, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.

Public comments will be limited to ten minutes per speaker or

organization. The request should identify the name of the individual

making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,

any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,

35mm projector, chalkboard, etc), and at least 35 copies of an outline

of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.

2. Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC)

The Science Advisory Board's (SAB's) Radiation Advisory Committee

(RAC) will meet on Tuesday, November 17 through Thursday, November 19,

1998. The meeting will convene each day at 9:00 am in the Science

Advisory Board Conference Room 3709 Waterside Mall, U.S. EPA

Headquarters, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460 and adjourn no

later than 5:30 pm each day.

At this meeting, the RAC will: (a) briefly discuss projects planned

for review in Fiscal Year (FY) 1999; (b) conduct an advisory on low-

activity radioactive waste; (c) hold a consultation on approaches to

calculate radon risks in light of the National Academy of Sciences

(NAS) Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation committee's report (BEIR

VI) on risks from indoor radon exposures; (d) receive a briefing on the

National Academy of Sciences Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

(NORM) report; (e) conduct a closure review of the draft report on

uncertainty in radiogenic cancer risk prepared by the RAC's Uncertainty

in Radiogenic (Cancer) Risks Subcommittee (URRS); and (f) discuss other

projects as time permits.

During this meeting, the RAC intends to draft its report on the

advisory for low activity radioactive waste, focusing on the technical

aspects of the disposal methodology and results of the Office of

Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) performance assessment analyses. The

charge questions to be answered include, but are not limited to the

following:

(a) Does the EPA dose assessment reasonably cover the hydrogeologic

and climatic settings that might be used for the disposal of low-

activity mixed waste?

(b) What modeling time frame does the Committee recommend be used

to project potential doses from disposal of low-activity mixed waste?,

and

(c) Is it reasonable to assign a constant ``high'' release rate for

the duration of the simulation, or does the SAB advise an alternative

approach such as assuming a lower release rate at the start and

increasing it incrementally over the modeling period, thereby mimicking

the gradual deterioration of the concrete?

For Further Information--Members of the public wishing further

information concerning the meeting, such as copies of the proposed

meeting agenda, the current draft of the URRS report, or who wish to

submit written comments should contact Mrs. Diana L. Pozun at (202)

260-8432; fax (202) 260-7118, or via E-Mail at: [email protected].

Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to the

Committee must contact Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian in writing (by letter or

by fax--see contact information below) no later than 12 noon Eastern

Time, Tuesday, November 10, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.

Public comments will be normally limited to ten minutes per speaker or

organization. The request should identify the name of the individual

making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,

any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,

35mm projector, chalkboard, easel, etc), and at least 35 copies of an

outline of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.

For further information, contact Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian, Designated

Federal Officer for the Radiation Advisory Committee, Science Advisory

Board (1400), U.S. EPA, Washington, DC 20460, phone (202) 260-2560; fax

(202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at: [email protected].

For questions pertaining to the background documents provided to

the SAB's RAC, please contact Dr. Mary E. Clark, (6601J), ORIA, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC

20460, tel. (202) 564-9348; fax (202) 565-2043; or E-mail:

[email protected].

3. Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC)

The Environmental Economic Advisory Committee of the Science

Advisory Board (SAB), will meet on November 18,1998, from 9:00 am to no

later than 4:00 pm at the Ramada Hotel Old Town, 901 North Fairfax

Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; telephone (703) 683-6000. This meeting

is open to the public, however, due to limited space, seating will be

on a first-come basis. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to

continue the review the economic analysis guidelines being developed by

the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency will also discuss their

possible role in the resumption of the Pollution Abatement and Control

Expenditures (PACE) survey.

Background Information on Economic Analysis Guidelines

The Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC or the

Committee) has been asked to review the revised Guidelines for

Preparing Economic Analyses, a document produced under the direction of

the EPA's Regulatory Policy Council. The guidelines are designed to

reflect Agency policy on the conduct of the economic analyses called

for under applicable legislative and administrative requirements,

including, but not limited to Executive Order 12866. These guidelines

are intended to provide EPA analysts with a concise but thorough

treatment of mainstream thinking on important technical issues to help

them conduct credible and consistent economic analyses. They refer to

methods and practices commonly

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accepted in the environmental economics profession; however, they are

not intended to preclude new or innovative forms of analysis. The

guidelines are shaped by administrative and statutory requirements that

contain direct references to the development of economic information

during the development of regulations.

This will be the second review meeting for the guidelines. The EEAC

was first briefed on the draft guidelines at its August 19, 1998

meeting. At that meeting, the Agency presented information on, and then

discussed with EEAC members, each section of the draft guidelines. The

Agency has made a number of adjustments to its draft document since the

August meeting (63 FR 41820-41823, August 5, 1998 ).

Charge to the Committee: Please refer to 63 FR 41820-41823, August

5, 1998 for the Charge.

For Further Information--Single copies of the guidelines

information provided to the Committee can be obtained by contacting Dr.

Brett Snyder, Director, Economy and Environment Division, Office of

Policy (2172), 401 M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, telephone (202)

260-5610, fax (202) 260-2685, or via E-Mail at: [email protected]. A

copy of the draft agenda is available from Ms. Dorothy Clark at (202)

260-6555; fax at (202) 260-7118; or via E-Mail at

[email protected]. Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at

the meeting must contact Mr. Thomas Miller, Designated Federal Officer

for the Environmental Economics Advisory Committee, in writing no later

than 4:00 pm, November 11, 1998, at U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board

(1400), 401 M Street SW., Washington DC 20460, fax (202) 260-7118, or

via E-Mail at: [email protected]. The request should identify the name

of the individual making the presentation and an outline of the issues

to be addressed. In general, each individual or group making an oral

presentation will be limited to a total time of ten minutes. At least

35 copies of any written comments to the Committee are to be given to

Mr. Miller no later than the time of the presentation for distribution

to the Committee and the interested public. To discuss technical

aspects of the meeting, please contact Mr. Miller by telephone at (202)

260-5886.

4. CASAC Technical Subcommittee for Fine Particle Monitoring

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Technical

Subcommittee for Fine Particle Monitoring will meet on Monday, November

30, 1998 at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA),

Environmental Research Center, Main Auditorium, Route 54 and Alexander

Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The meeting will begin at 8:30

am and end no later than 5:00 pm. This is the first meeting of this

reconstituted Subcommittee. Additional public meetings or public

teleconferences will take place, but are not yet scheduled.

Purpose of the Meeting

This technical subcommittee of CASAC was established in 1996 to

provide advice and comment to EPA (through CASAC) on appropriate

methods and network strategies for monitoring fine particles in the

context of implementing the revised national ambient air quality

standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. The Subcommittee provided

such advice on the Federal Reference Method and mass based fine

particle network in July 1996 and is now meeting to examine EPA's plans

and guidance for several components of the fine particle monitoring

network and how these components are linked to research priorities for

particulate matter. In preparation for the meeting, EPA will submit the

following background materials and draft documents for the

Subcommittee's consideration: (a) Overview of National PM

2.5 Monitoring Networks; (b) Particulate Matter (PM

2.5) Speciation Guidance Document (July 1998 draft); (c)

Report of the PM Measurements Research Workshop (Supersites Workshop

Report; 10/98); and (d) Draft Supersites Conceptual Plan (November 9,

1998)

At the meeting, staff from the Office of Air Quality Planning and

Standards (OAQPS) and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) will

provide briefings regarding status and plans for the fine particle

monitoring program with an emphasis on the chemical speciation and

``supersite'' study programs. This will include an overview of the

draft guidance for network design, siting and operations, and the

strategy for integrating the planned monitors with particulate matter

related priority research needs identified by the National Academy of

Sciences Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate

Matter. The Agency staff and Subcommittee members will discuss the

specific issues for the Charge to the Subcommittee during the meeting.

Availability of Review Materials: Hard copies of the materials will

be available from Ms. Brenda Millar, Office of Air Quality Planning and

Standards (MD-14), U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Ms.

Millar can also be reached by telephone at (919) 541-4036 or by fax at

(919) 541-1903. Electronic versions of the documents will be available

on the Agency's TTN Bulletin Board, at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic.

For Further Information: Members of the public desiring additional

information about the meeting should contact Mr. Robert Flaak,

Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee,

Science Advisory Board (1400), Room 3702G, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 260-5133; fax at

(202) 260-7118; or via E-mail at [email protected]. A copy of the

draft agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at (202) 260-8432 or by

FAX at (202) 260-7118 or via E-Mail at [email protected].

Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to

the Subcommittee must contact Mr. Flaak in writing (by letter or by

fax--see previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern

Time, Tuesday, November 24, 1998 in order to be included on the Agenda.

Public comments will be limited to ten minutes per speaker or

organization. The request should identify the name of the individual

making the presentation, the organization (if any) they will represent,

any requirements for audio visual equipment (e.g., overhead projector,

35mm projector, chalkboard, etc), and at least 35 copies of an outline

of the issues to be addressed or of the presentation itself.

Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

The Science Advisory Board expects that public statements presented

at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or

written statements. In general, each individual or group making an oral

presentation will be limited to a total time of ten minutes. For

conference call meetings, opportunities for oral comment will be

limited to no more than five minutes per speaker and no more than

fifteen minutes total. Written comments (at least 35 copies) received

in the SAB Staff Office sufficiently prior to a meeting date, may be

mailed to the relevant SAB committee or subcommittee prior to its

meeting; comments received too close to the meeting date will normally

be provided to the committee at its meeting. Written comments may be

provided to the relevant committee or subcommittee up until the time of

the meeting.

Additional information concerning the Science Advisory Board, its

structure, function, and composition,

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may be found on the SAB Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) and in The

Annual Report of the Staff Director which is available from the SAB

Publications Staff at (202) 260-4126 or via fax at (202) 260-1889.

Individuals requiring special accommodation at SAB meetings, including

wheelchair access, should contact the appropriate DFO at least five

business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can

be made.

Dated: October 21, 1998.

Donald G. Barnes,

Staff Director Science Advisory Board.

[FR Doc. 98-28728 Filed 10-26-98; 8:45 am]

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