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About EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors
Upcoming Events
Water Quality Mid-Cycle Conference Call
September 4, 2008
Executive Committee Meeting
September 18 & 19, 2008
Washington, DC
Water Quality Mid-Cycle Meeting
September 23, 2008
Washington, DC
The Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide advice, information, and recommendations about the Office of Research and Development (ORD) research program. The mission of the BOSC is to provide advice and recommendations on:
Evaluating science and engineering research, programs and plans, laboratories, and research-management practices of ORD and recommending actions to improve their quality and/or strengthen their relevance to EPA's mission.
Evaluating and providing advice concerning the utilization of peer review within ORD to sustain and enhance the quality of science in EPA.
Reviewing ORD's program development and progress, ORD's research planning process, and research program balance, including implementation of the ORD Strategic Plan.
Providing peer review including evaluation of ORD's peer review policies, and reviewing ORD Offices, National Laboratories and Centers, and research plans and products.
Providing advice on human resources planning, such as scientist career development and rotational assignment programs, and the appropriate scope and design of training programs for environmental research professionals.
Because the BOSC is a Federal Advisory Committee, it must comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. C) and related regulations. Consequently, the Board has an approved charter, which must be renewed biennially, announces its meetings in the Federal Register, opens its meetings to the public, and provides opportunities for public comment on issues before the Board.
The BOSC Executive Committee, which includes 15 members, meets three to five times each year. The meetings are held approximately once every 3 months, or an needed and approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). With the approval of EPA, the BOSC Executive Committee establishes subcommittees or workgroups for any purpose consistent with the BOSC's charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work independently of the chartered Executive Committee, and must report their recommendations and advice to the BOSC for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees and workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the BOSC, nor can they report directly to EPA.
Members of the BOSC Executive Committee and Subcommittees constitute a distinguished body of scientists and engineers who are recognized experts in their respective fields. These individuals are drawn from academia, industry, and environmental communities.