07-5885. Meeting of the National Biodefense Science Board

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding its inaugural meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on December 17, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on December 18, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Atrium Ballroom, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 2004. Phone: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

CAPT Leigh A. Sawyer, DVM, MPH, Executive Director, National Biodefense Science Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 450G, Washington, DC 20201; 202-205-3815; fax: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to section 319M of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) as added by section 402 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Pub. L. 109-417) the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to establish the National Biodefense Science Board and hold the inaugural meeting of the Board prior to December 19, 2007.

The Board shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on scientific, technical and other matters of special interest to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological (CBRN) agents, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate.

The agenda will include topics related to current and future challenges to national preparedness related to CBRN agents, and will include discussions regarding matters that the Board will consider in greater depth. A tentative schedule will be made available on December 2, 2007 at the NBSB Web site, http://www.hhs.gov/​aspr/​omsph/​nbsb.

Any member of the public interested in presenting oral comments at the meeting may notify the Contact person listed on this notice by December 10, 2007. Interested individuals and representatives of an organization may submit a letter of intent and a brief description of the organization represented. Both printed and electronic copies are requested for the record. In addition, any interested person may file written comments with the committee. All written comments must be received prior to December 10, 2007 and should be sent by e-mail with “NBSB Public Comment” as the subject line or by regular mail to the Contact person listed above. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the designated Contact person by December 10, 2007.

Dated: November 26, 2007.

RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen,

Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.