2023-08765. Public Meetings of the Science Advisory Board BenMAP and Benefits Methods Panel

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is announcing two public meetings of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) BenMAP and Benefits Methods Panel. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the panel's draft report on the BenMAP model and benefits methods.

DATES:

Public Meetings: The SAB BenMAP and Benefits Methods Panel will meet on the following dates. All times listed are in Eastern time.

1. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

2. Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Comments: See the section titled “Procedures for Providing Public Input” under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for instructions and deadlines.

ADDRESSES:

The May 16, 2023, and June 15, 2023, meetings will be conducted virtually. Please refer to the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov for information on how to attend the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Any member of the public who wants further information concerning this notice may contact Dr. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), via telephone [phone], or email at [e-mail]. General information about the SAB, as well as any updates concerning the meetings announced in this notice, can be found on the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: The SAB was established pursuant to the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the EPA Administrator on the scientific and technical basis for agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Pursuant to FACA and EPA policy, notice is hereby given that the SAB BenMAP and Benefits Methods Panel will hold two public meetings to discuss their draft report reviewing the BenMAP model and EPA's Technical Support Document entitled Estimating PM_2.5- and Ozone-Attributable Health Benefits (2023).

Availability of Meeting Materials: All meeting materials, including the agenda, will be available on the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov by clicking on the meeting date under Meetings and Events. This web page will have a link to panel's draft report, the BenMAP model, the BenMAP User's Manual, the Technical Support Document (cited above), and the Agency Charge Questions.

Procedures for Providing Public Input: Public comment for consideration by EPA's federal advisory committees and panels has a different purpose from public comment provided to EPA program offices. Therefore, the process for submitting comments to a federal advisory committee is different from the process used to submit comments to an EPA program office. Federal advisory committees and panels, including scientific advisory committees, provide independent advice to the EPA. Members of the public can submit relevant comments pertaining to the committee's charge or meeting materials. Input from the public to the SAB will have the most impact if it provides specific scientific or technical information or analysis for the SAB to consider or if it relates to the clarity or accuracy of the technical information. Members of the public wishing to provide comment should follow the instruction below to submit comments.

Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a meeting conducted by video will be limited to three minutes. Each person making an oral statement should consider providing written comments as well as their oral statement so that the points presented orally can be expanded upon in writing. Persons interested in providing oral statements should contact the DFO, in writing (preferably via email) at the contact information noted above by May 9, 2023, to be placed on the list of registered speakers.

Written Statements: Written statements will be accepted throughout the advisory process; however, for timely consideration by SAB members, statements should be submitted to the DFO by May 9, 2023, for consideration at the May 16 meeting. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO at the contact information above via email. Submitters are requested to provide an unsigned version of each document because the SAB Staff Office does not publish documents with signatures on its websites. Members of the public should be aware that their personal contact information, if included in any written comments, may be posted to the SAB website. Copyrighted material will not be posted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact the DFO, at the contact information noted above, preferably at least ten days prior to the meeting, to give the EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

Meeting cancellation: The June 15, 2023, meeting may be cancelled if the Panel concludes its business on May 16, 2023. If the June 15, 2023, meeting is cancelled, notice will be provided during the May 16, 2023, meeting and posted on the SAB website.

V. Khanna Johnston,

Deputy Director, Science Advisory Board Staff Office.