[Federal Register: July 18, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 138)]
[Notices]
[Page 42706-42707]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jy03-97]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7529-3]
Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public
Meeting Concerning Public Involvement in EPA Science Advisory Board
(SAB) Activities and Announcement of a Public Comment Period on a
Proposal to Reorganize the SAB
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is inviting
members of the public to attend a public meeting as part of its
continued effort to be more effective in obtaining public input in the
SAB activities. The SAB Staff Office is also announcing a three-week
public comment period on a proposal to reorganize the SAB.
DATES: The public meeting will take place on August 5, 2003, 10 a.m. to
3 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Written comments on the proposed
reorganization of the SAB may be submitted to Mr. Fred Butterfield at
the address identified in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
no later than August 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Information about the meeting location will be announced on
the SAB Web site, http://www.epa/sab one week before the meeting and
also may be obtained by contacting Ms. Delores Darden as listed in the
section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below. The meeting will take
place in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the public
meeting and the agenda, please contact Mr. Robert Flaak, telephone/
voice mail at (202) 564-4546, or via e-mail at flaak.robert@epa.gov.
Members of the public who have questions about, want to request a paper
copy of the proposed reorganization, or would like to submit comments
on the reorganization proposal should contact Mr. Fred Butterfield,
telephone/voice mail at (202) 564-4561, via e-mail at
butterfield.fred@epa.gov, or at the mailing address indicated below.
Members of the public who have logistical questions about the meeting
described in this notice may contact Ms. Delores Darden, telephone/
voice mail at 202-564-2282, via fax at: (202) 501-0582, via e-mail at
darden.delores@epa.gov, or at the following mailing address: EPA
Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1400A),
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460 (FedEx/Courier
address: U.S. EPA SAB, Suite 6450, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20004). General information concerning the SAB can be
found on the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary Information and Background Related to the Public Meeting
This public meeting is the second in a series of semiannual
meetings that the EPA SAB Staff Office plans to hold with the public as
part of its efforts to enhance effective public input as it continues
to improve SAB policies and procedures. A description of the background
for Staff Office meetings on public involvement in SAB activities can
be found in the Federal Register notice published on September 5, 2002
(67 FR 56831-56832). At the August 5, 2003 meeting, the SAB Staff
Office will provide a general update and take public comments on its
planned efforts to improve policies and procedures at the SAB. One area
of focus for discussions will be plans for developing a draft ``Guide
to Effective Public Participation in SAB Meetings and Report
Development.'' The Staff Office will also address questions from the
public concerning the proposal for reorganizing the SAB and hear public
comments on the proposal.
Summary Information and Background Related to the Proposed
Reorganization of the SAB
The SAB Staff Office is seeking public comments on a proposed
organization of the SAB. The SAB Staff Office has worked extensively
with the Reorganization Sub-Committee of the SAB Executive Committee
and other EPA offices to develop this proposal. Background information
on previous efforts to solicit public input concerning prospective SAB
structural reorganization can be found in the Federal Register notice
published on November 26, 2002 (67 FR 70729-70730). The Staff Office
will consider public comments and consult with the SAB in making its
final recommendations on the proposed reorganization to the EPA
Administrator. The proposed SAB reorganization is available through the
``Recent Additions'' link on the EPA SAB Web site or can be obtained
from Mr. Butterfield (for addresses see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section above.) .
The proposed reorganization is intended to enhance the ability of
the SAB to carry out its critical mission more effectively. The Staff
Office has identified three specific questions for public comment.
(a) Does the proposed reorganization appear to more effectively
support the SAB mission in improving the way science is developed and
used in environmental decision-making within EPA through its advisory
role and peer review function, and does it appear to be flexible enough
to support the SAB's mission in meeting future environmental
challenges?
(b) Does the proposed reorganization appear to meet the SAB's goal
of strengthening the independence of the SAB peer-review process and
enhancing the quality of its peer review reports?
(c) If the proposed reorganization is approved, are there any major
considerations that the SAB Staff Office should be aware of in planning
for and implementing the proposed reorganization, especially in regard
to facilitating effective public involvement in SAB processes?
Written comments on the proposed reorganization will be accepted
until the date specified above. Written comments should be provided
either in hard copy with original signature or electronic copy
(acceptable file formats: Adobe Acrobat, WordPerfect, Word, or Rich
Text files (in IBM-PC/Windows 95/98 format), and may be sent to Mr.
Butterfield at the mailing or e-mailing addresses provided above.
[[Page 42707]]
Dated: July 11, 2003.
Vanessa T. Vu,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 03-18156 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
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