01-20143. Science Advisory Board; Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meeting

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that the Science Advisory Board's (SAB) Executive Committee will conduct a public teleconference meeting on August 27, 2001 between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm Eastern Time. The meeting will be coordinated through a conference call connection in Room 6013 in the USEPA, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in the conference room noted above. However, the public may also attend through a telephonic link, to the extent that lines are available. Additional instructions about how to participate in the conference call can be obtained by calling Ms. Diana Pozun (see contact information below).

Purpose of the Meeting: In this meeting, the Executive Committee plans to review reports from some of its Committees/Subcommittees, most likely including the following:

(a) Executive Committee Arsenic Rule Benefits Review Panel (ARBRP) report on “Arsenic Rule Benefits Analysis: Science Advisory Board Review” (see 65 FR 34926, dated July 2, 2001 for details)

(b) Executive Committee Science and Technology Achievement Awards (STAA) Subcommittee “Recommendations on the FY2000 Scientific and Technological Achievement (STAA)” (see 66 FR 70906, dated November 28, 2000 for details).

(c) Research Strategies Advisory Committee “Implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's Peer Review Program: An SAB Review” (see 66 FR 19933, dated April 18, 2001 for details).

Availability of Review Materials: Drafts of the reports that will be reviewed at the meeting will be available to the public on the SAB website (http://www.epa.gov/​sab) approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.

Charge to the Executive Committee: The focus of the review of these three reports will be on the following questions:

(a) Has the SAB adequately responded to the questions posed in the Charge?

(b) Are the statements and/or responses in the draft report clear?

(c) Are there any errors of fact in the report?

In accord with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the public and the Agency are invited to submit written comments on these three questions that are the focus of the review. Submissions should be received by August 20,2001 by Ms. Diana Pozun, EPA Science Advisory Board, Mail Code 1400A, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington DC 20460. (Telephone [phone], FAX [phone]; or via e-mail at [e-mail]). Submission by e-mail to Ms. Pozun will maximize the time available for review by the Executive Committee.

Although not required by FACA, the SAB will have a brief period available for applicable public comment. Therefore, anyone wishing to make oral comments on the three focus questions above, but that are not duplicative of the written comments, should contact the Designated Federal Officer for the Executive Committee, Dr. Donald G. Barnes (Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; USEPA Science Advisory Board, Mail Code 1400A, USEPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; [e-mail]) by August 20, 2001.

For Further Information: Any member of the public wishing further information concerning this meeting should contact Dr. Donald Barnes, Designated Federal Officer, Science Advisory Board (1400A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone [phone]; FAX [phone]; or via e-mail at [e-mail].

Providing Oral or Written Comments at SAB Meetings

It is the policy of the Science Advisory Board to accept written public comments of any length, and to accommodate oral public comments whenever possible (unless otherwise stated). The Science Advisory Board expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or written statements. Oral Comments: In general, each individual or group requesting an oral presentation at a face-to-face meeting will be limited to a total time of ten minutes. For teleconference meetings, opportunities for oral comment will usually be limited to no more than three minutes per speaker and no more than fifteen minutes total. Deadlines for getting on the public speaker list for a meeting are given above. Speakers should bring at least 35 copies of their comments and presentation slides for distribution to the reviewers and public at the meeting. Written Comments: Although the SAB accepts written comments until the date of the meeting (unless otherwise stated), written comments should be received in the SAB Staff Office at least one week prior to the meeting date so that the comments may be made available to the committee for their consideration. Comments should be supplied to the appropriate DFO at the address/contact information noted above in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: WordPerfect, Word, or Rich Text files (in IBM-PC/Windows 95/98 format). Those providing written comments and who attend the meeting are also asked to bring 25 copies of their comments for public distribution.

General Information: 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 FY2000 Annual Report of the Staff Director which is available from the SAB Publications Staff at [phone] or via fax at [phone]. Committee rosters, draft Agendas and meeting calendars are also located on our website.

Meeting Access: Individuals requiring special accommodation at this meeting, including wheelchair access to the conference room, should contact Dr. Barnes at least five business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Dated: August 7, 2001.

John R. Fowle III, PhD,

Deputy Staff Director, Science Advisory Board.