98-28728. Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meetings; Open Meetings

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57295-57298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28728]


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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 [phone]. 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

[[Page 57296]]

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 [phone]; fax: [phone]; or via E-
Mail: [e-mail], being certain to specify the document title 
and number as stated here. For technical questions on this document, 
please contact Dr. Robert S. Chapman [phone]; fax: (919) 541-
1818; or via E-Mail at: [e-mail]. 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 [phone]; fax at 
[phone]; or via E-mail at [e-mail]. A copy of the 
draft Agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at [phone]; fax 
at [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 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 [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 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 [phone]; fax 
[phone]; or via E-Mail at: [e-mail].
    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. [phone]; fax [phone]; or E-mail: 
[e-mail].

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 [phone]. 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 [phone], or via E-Mail at: [e-mail]. A 
copy of the draft agenda is available from Ms. Dorothy Clark at (202) 
260-6555; fax at [phone]; or via E-Mail at 
[e-mail]. 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 [phone], or 
via E-Mail at: [e-mail]. 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 [phone] or by fax at 
[phone]. 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 [phone]; fax at 
[phone]; or via E-mail at [e-mail]. A copy of the 
draft agenda is available from Ms. Diana Pozun at [phone] or by 
FAX at [phone] or via E-Mail at [e-mail].
    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,

[[Page 57298]]

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]. 
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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