99-27795. Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meeting: Environmental Economics Advisory Committee

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 205 (Monday, October 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57452-57455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27795]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6463-3]


Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee 
Meeting: Environmental Economics Advisory Committee

    Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 
notice is hereby given that several committees of the USEPA Science 
Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on the dates and times noted below. All 
times noted are Eastern 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--Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC)

    The Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC) of the 
Science Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on Friday, November 12, 1999, at 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building--North, 
Room 6013, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (the entrance 
to the building is adjacent to the Federal Triangle Metro stop on 12th 
Street). The SAB main telephone number is [phone]. The meeting 
will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end no later than 3:00 p.m.

Purpose of the Meeting

    The EEAC is meeting to consider and to provide advice and comment 
to EPA on its report Induced Travel: A Review of Recent Literature with 
a Discussion of Policy Issues. The EEAC will also receive a briefing by 
Agency personnel on the status of its efforts to develop an Economic 
Research Strategy and the committee will discuss its plans for 
additional meetings during Fiscal Year 2000.

Background Information

    (a) Induced Travel: The Environmental Economics Advisory Committee 
has been asked to conduct an advisory review of the EPA report, Induced 
Travel: A Review of Recent Literature with a Discussion of Policy 
Issues. This follows a briefing on the subject at its April 20, 1999 
meeting (see 64 FR 14232-14233). The theory of induced growth in 
vehicle travel hypothesizes that increases in the carrying capacity of 
a specific highway corridor or road network will result in an increased 
level of vehicle traffic. The increase in road capacity results in a 
decrease in the generalized cost of travel (especially the time costs 
of travel) and hence an increase in the demand for travel. This issue 
is a contentious issue among traffic engineers, transportation 
planners, and the environmental community. A common engineering 
approach assumes that demand for travel is derived from exogenous 
growth in economic activities, generally neglecting the inter-
relationships between highway capacity, relative travel times, and 
overall regional accessibility.
    The background document developed on this issue by EPA outlines the 
behavioral relationships underlying the theory of induced travel and 
reviews recent research that documents and empirically measures induced 
travel effects. The Agency believes that this research provides a 
strong case for the existence of induced travel effects, and in some 
cases suggests that a large fraction of growth in vehicle miles of 
travel (VMT) is directly attributable to increases in road capacity. 
The paper concludes with a discussion of the relevant research needs in 
this area and the implications for EPA policies and regulations.
    (b) Economic Research Plan: The EEAC was asked at its April 9, 1998 
meeting to provide the Agency with its advice on a list of topics 
proposed for inclusion in the EPA economic research program (see 63 FR 
14112). The committee sent an Advisory to the EPA Administrator on 
September 22, 1998

[[Page 57453]]

(EPA-SAB-EEAC-ADV-98-005) to satisfy this request. Since that time, the 
Agency has continued to develop a draft Economics Research Strategy. 
The Agency will brief the EEAC on the status of its efforts to complete 
this strategy.

Charge to the Committee

    The principal questions for the Science Advisory Board are:
    (1) Is the theory of induced travel from the provision of highway 
capacity consistent with economic theory?
    (2) Does the analytical methodology used in recent research--
specifically the use of the econometric fixed effects statistical 
models--test the hypothesis of induced travel over the highway networks 
during the time periods studied?
    (3) Do the empirical results of the recent research support a 
conclusion that induced travel has historically occurred over the 
national and state highway networks during the time periods studied?

For Further Information

    Single copies of the background document on ``Induced Travel'' can 
be obtained by contacting Dr. Lewison Lem, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Policy and Reinvention, Energy and 
Transportation Sectors Division (2126), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, 
DC, 20460, [phone], FAX [phone], or via email at: 
[e-mail]. No background material is to be provided on the 
economics research strategy.
    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, 8, 1999, at the above address, via fax (202) 501-
0582, or via email at: [e-mail]. The request should identify 
the name of the individual who will make the presentation and an 
outline of the issues to be addressed. 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 [phone]. 
A copy of the draft agenda will be available on the SAB Website (http:/
/www.epa.gov/sab) or upon request from Ms. Dorothy Clark at (202) 564-
4537, or by FAX at [phone] or via e-mail at 
[e-mail] no later than November 2, 1999.

2--Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC)

    The Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Tuesday, 
November 16 through Thursday, November 18, 1999. The meeting will 
convene at 9 a.m. each day in the Science Advisory Board Conference 
Room 6013 Ariel Rios Building (North Entrance--adjacent to the entrance 
to the Federal Triangle Metro Stop on 12th Street), 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC and adjourn no later than 5:30 pm the first 
and second day, and no later than 2:30 pm the third day.
    At this meeting, the RAC will: (a) Conduct a review of the risk 
assessment of radon in homes in light of the National Academy of 
Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) 
report. The Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) draft document 
being reviewed is entitled ``Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes,'' 
dated October, 1999; (b) discuss and plan for the next RAC review 
meeting; and (c) briefly discuss additional projects planned for review 
in the balance of Fiscal Year 2000 and other projects as time permits.
    During this meeting, the RAC intends to draft its report in review 
of the ORIA draft document. This was originally reviewed by the RAC as 
an advisory of a white paper (see EPA-SAB-RAC-ADV-99-010, dated July 
14, 1999. Also 64 FR 10294-10295, dated Wednesday, March 4, 1999) 
focusing on the technical aspects of the Agency's methodology for 
estimating cancer risks from exposure to indoor radon in light of the 
NAS BEIR VI committee report entitled ``Proposed EPA Methodology for 
Assessing Risks from Indoor Radon Based on BEIR VI,'' dated February 
1999. The charge questions to be answered will include, but are not 
limited to areas of adequacy of the methodology and overall approach; 
appropriateness of assumptions behind the calculations; and the 
adequacy in describing and characterizing the limitations and 
uncertainties.
    Regarding planning for upcoming reviews, the RAC will discuss with 
ORIA the proposed projects for Fiscal Year 2000. Among the proposed 
projects to be discussed are Review of an Updated Computer Model for 
Evaluating Atmospheric Releases of Radionuclides; Review of a Draft 
Uranium Mining Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive 
Materials (TENORM ) Technical Report; Review of the Multi-Agency 
Radiation Laboratory Analytical Protocols (MARLAP) Manual; and proposed 
project sheets on self-initiated topics that are being explored by the 
RAC, namely Orphan Source Contamination of Metals, and Border 
Detectors.

For Further Information

    Members of the public wishing further information concerning the 
meeting, such as copies of the proposed meeting agenda, or who wish to 
submit written comments should contact Mrs. Diana L. Pozun at (202) 
564-4544; fax [phone], or via E-Mail at: [e-mail]. 
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, 
fax, or by e-mail--see contact information below) no later than 12 noon 
Eastern Time, Tuesday, November 9, 1999 in order to be included on the 
Agenda. For further information, contact Dr. K. Jack Kooyoomjian, 
Designated Federal Officer for the Radiation Advisory Committee, 
Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. EPA, Washington, DC 20004, phone 
(202)-564-4557; fax [phone]; or via E-Mail at: 
[e-mail].
    For questions pertaining to the Review of the Assessment of Risks 
from Radon in Homes, please contact Dr. Jerome S. Puskin, ORIA (Mail 
Code 6603J), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; tel. 
(2020 564-9212, or Fax [phone], or E-mail: 
[e-mail]. For questions on any other topics discussed 
between the SAB's RAC and the ORIA staff, please contact Dr. Mary E. 
Clark, (6601J), ORIA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, tel. [phone]; Fax (202) 565-
2043; or E-mail: [e-mail]. Documents pertaining to BEIR VI 
may also be obtained on the world wide web at the following address: 
http://www4.nas.edu/cls/brerhome.nsf and then click on ``Publication 
List.'' The documents are in ascending chronological order, with BEIR 
VI being published in February, 1998 (near the end of the list). The 
documents pertaining to BEIR VI may also be obtained on the world wide 
web at the following address: http://www.nap.edu/reading room and 
search on ``radon.''

3--Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

    The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of the Science 
Advisory Board (SAB) will meet on Thursday, November 18, 1999 at the 
Hawthorne Suites, 300 Meredith Drive Durham, NC 27713, tel. (919) 361-
1234.

[[Page 57454]]

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end no later than 5 p.m.

Purpose of the Meeting

    The Committee will continue its review of the carbon monoxide (CO) 
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) with a review of the 
National Center for Environmental Assessment's (NCEA) revised draft Air 
Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide (Second External Review Draft) 
October 1999, EPA/600/P-99/001B. At this meeting (the second in a 
series of meetings--see EPA-SAB-CASAC-LTR-99-003 for results of that 
first review), EPA is seeking advice and comment from CASAC with regard 
to the scientific soundness of the draft CO Criteria Document for its 
subsequent use in providing scientific basis for Agency decisions on 
retention or the possible need for revision to the existing CO NAAQS. 
The CASAC review will focus on the extent to which the draft document: 
(1) Adequately identifies and poses pertinent issues that need to be 
addressed in the document; (2) accurately and concisely summarizes 
relevant key findings from previous CO criteria review(s); (3) 
accurately and concisely summarizes and assesses important newly 
available pertinent information (or have any important new studies been 
omitted?); (4) appropriately interprets and synthesizes the assessed 
information; and (5) arrives at sound conclusions and findings, taking 
into account the newly available data assessed. The CASAC will also 
conduct a Consultation with the Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards (EXPOS) (of the Office of Air and Radiation) on its plans for 
the draft Carbon Monoxide Staff Paper and related analyses. CASAC will 
receive a briefing from ORD concerning the review process and schedule 
for the upcoming CASAC review of the Particulate Matter NAAQS (which 
begins on December 2, 1999--this meeting will be the subject of a 
subsequent Federal Register notice).
    For information on obtaining copies of the second external review 
draft of the Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide, or to obtain 
information concerning contact individuals, please see 64 FR 55923, 
October 15, 1999. (For information concerning the first external review 
draft of the Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide, please see 64 FR 
13198-13199, March 17, 1999.)

For Further Information Concerning the Meeting

    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 
(1400A), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone/
voice mail at [phone]; fax at [phone]; or via e-mail at 
[e-mail]. A copy of the draft agenda will be available 
approximately two weeks prior to the meeting on the SAB website (http:/
/www.epa.gov/sab) or from Ms. Diana Pozun at [phone]; FAX: (202) 
501-0582; or e-mail at: [e-mail].
    Members of the public who wish to make a brief oral presentation to 
the CASAC must contact Mr. Flaak in writing (by letter, fax or e-mail--
see previously stated information) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time, 
Wednesday, November 10, 1999 in order to be included on the Agenda.

4--Data From Testing on Human Subjects Subcommittee (DTHSS)

    The Joint Science Advisory Board/Scientific Advisory Panel (SAB/
SAP) Data from Testing on Human Subjects Subcommittee (DTHSS) will meet 
on November 30, 1999 at the Sheraton Crystal Hotel, 1800 Jefferson 
Davis Highway, Arlington VA 22202. The hotel telephone number is 703-
486-1111. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am and end no later than 7:30 
pm.
    Purpose of the Meeting: The DTHSS is meeting to discuss issues on 
which the Subcommittee could not reach consensus following its initial 
meeting on December 10-11, 1998 (That meeting was announced in the 
Federal Register at 63 FR 64714-64715, November 23, 1998). The complete 
draft Charge identifying and addressing these issues will be posted on 
the SAB Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) by October 30, 1999.
    Availability of Review Materials: There are no new review materials 
for this meeting, however, hard copies of the EPA primary background 
documents for the previous meeting may be obtained by contacting: 
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources 
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; 
Office location: Room 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, VA 22202; telephone: [phone].
    For Further Information: Members of the public desiring additional 
information about the conduct of the meeting should contact Mr. Samuel 
Rondberg, (1400a), Co-Designated Federal Officer, DTHSS, Science 
Advisory Board, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone/voice mail at [phone]; fax at [phone]; or via 
e-mail at [e-mail] or Dr. Stephanie R. Irene, Co-Designated 
Federal Officer, U.S. EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Fate and Effects Division (7505C), 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460, 
telephone/voice mail 703-305-5024, fax [phone], email to 
[e-mail]. A copy of the draft agenda will be available 
on the SAB Website (http://www.epa.gov/sab) or upon request from Ms. 
Wanda Fields [phone], or by FAX at [phone] or via e-mail 
at [e-mail] no later than November 15, 1999.
    Providing Oral or Written Comments: Members of the public who wish 
to make a brief oral presentation to the Committee must contact Mr. 
Rondberg in writing (by letter, or by e-mail--see previously stated 
information) no later than 12 noon Eastern Time, November 19, 1999 in 
order to be included on the Agenda. Written comments may be sent by 
mail to: The Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (7502C), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person or by delivery service, bring 
comments to: Room 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202. Comments and data also may be submitted 
electronically by sending electronic mail (E-Mail) to: [e-mail]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an 
ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Comments and data also will be accepted on disks in 
WordPerfect 8.0 file format or ASCII file format. All comments and data 
in electronic form must be identified by the docket number OPP-98-
31247. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be submitted 
through E-Mail. Electronic comments may be filed online at many Federal 
Depository Libraries. Additional information on electronic submissions 
can be found under Supplementary Information below.
    Supplementary Information: The Agency encourages that written 
statements be submitted before the meeting to provide Panel Members 
time to consider and review the comments. Information submitted as a 
comment in response to this notice may be claimed confidential by 
marking any part or all of that information as ``Confidential Business 
Information'' (CBI). Information marked CBI will not be disclosed 
except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. An 
edited copy of the comment that

[[Page 57455]]

does not contain the CBI material must be submitted for inclusion in 
the public docket. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public docket. All comments and materials received will be made 
part of the public record and will be considered by the Panel.
    A public record has been established for this notice (including 
comments and data submitted electronically) under docket number OPP-98-
31247. A public version of this record, including printed versions of 
electronic comments, which does not include information claimed as CBI, 
will be available for inspection from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The public record is located in Room 
119 of the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information 
Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
    The official record for this notice, as well as the public version, 
as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will 
transfer all comments received electronically into printed, paper form 
as they are received and will place the paper copies in the official 
record which will also include all comments submitted directly in 
writing. The official record is the paper record maintained at the 
address in Availability of Review Materials earlier in this Notice.

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. Written 
comments (at least 35 copies) received in the SAB Staff Office 
sufficiently prior to a meeting date (usually one week before the 
meeting), may be mailed to the relevant SAB committee or subcommittee; 
comments received too close to the meeting date will normally be 
provided to the committee at its meeting, or mailed soon after receipt 
by the Agency. 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, 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 [phone] or 
via fax at [phone].

Meeting Access

    Individuals requiring special accommodation at this meeting, 
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 19, 1999.
John R. Fowle III,
Acting Staff Director, Science Advisory Board.
[FR Doc. 99-27795 Filed 10-22-99; 8:45 am]
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