E6-22308. Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of Six Public Teleconferences of the Science Advisory Board Committee on Valuing the Protection of Ecological Systems and Services

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces six public teleconferences of the SAB Committee on Valuing the Protection of Ecological Systems and Services (C-VPESS) to discuss components of a draft report related to valuing the protection of ecological systems and services.

DATES:

The SAB will conduct six public teleconferences on February 5, 2007, February 13, 2007, February 27, 2007, March 6, 2007, March 20, 2007, and March 27, 2007. Each teleconference will begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. (eastern standard time).

LOCATION:

Telephone conference call only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Any member of the public wishing to obtain general information concerning this public teleconference may contact Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), via telephone at: [phone] or e-mail at: [e-mail]. General information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/​sab.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The SAB was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent scientific and technical advice, consultation, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the technical basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies.

Background: Background on the SAB C-VPESS and its charge was provided in 68 Fed. Reg. 11082 (March 7, 2003). The purpose of the teleconference is for the SAB C-VPESS to discuss components of a draft advisory report calling for expanded and integrated approach for valuing the protection of ecological systems and services. The Committee will discuss draft assessments of methods for ecological valuation and application of those methods for valuing the protection of ecological systems and services.

These activities are related to the Committee's overall charge: to assess Agency needs and the state of the art and science of valuing protection of ecological systems and services and to identify key areas for improving knowledge, methodologies, practice, and research.

Availability of Meeting Materials: Agendas and materials in support of the teleconferences will be placed on the SAB Web Site at: http://www.epa.gov/​sab/​ in advance of each teleconference.

Procedures for Providing Public Input: Interested members of the public may submit relevant written or oral information for the SAB to consider during the public teleconference and/or meeting.

Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public SAB teleconference will be limited to three minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of one-half hour for all speakers. To be placed on the public speaker list, interested parties should contact Dr. Angela Nugent, DFO, in writing (preferably via e-mail) 5 business days in advance of each teleconference.

Written Statements: Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office 5 business days in advance of each teleconference above so that the information may be made available to the SAB for their consideration prior to each teleconference. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO in the following formats: One hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format).

Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Dr. Angela Nugent at [phone] or [e-mail]. To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Dr. Nugent preferably at least ten days prior to the teleconference, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

Dated: December 22, 2006.

Anthony Maciorowski,

Associate Director for Science, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.