[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56831-56832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22609]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7273-2]
EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office Invitation to a Session
on Public Involvement in EPA Science Advisory Board Activities
SUMMARY: The EPA Office of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) is inviting
members of the public to register and attend a public session on public
involvement in SAB Activities or to contribute information on that
topic by email for persons unable to attend.
The session will be held at the Hotel Washington at 515 15th
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20004 on September 26, 2002 from 9:30 a.m.
to 3 p.m.. The session is open to members of the public who register in
advance. However, due to limited space, participation will be on a
first-come basis. For further information concerning the meeting,
registration procedures, or how to contribute information to the EPA
Science Advisory Board Staff Office on the subject of the meeting,
please see below.
Purpose and Background: This session is the first in a series of
semi-annual sessions that the Office of the EPA SAB Staff plans to hold
with the public as part of its effort to continuously improve policies
and procedures at the Board. The purpose of the sessions is to hear
public concerns and suggestions for additional improvements in SAB
policies and procedures. The EPA SAB Staff Office will consider these
concerns and suggestions as it develops guidance and plans for the
Staff Office and as it supports the Board. The SAB Staff Office will
report on public concerns and suggestions to the EPA SAB's Policies and
Procedures Subcommittee, as appropriate.
The SAB was established by Congress in 1978 by the Environmental
Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA) (42
U.S.C. 4365). Since that time, the EPA Staff Office, has reported
directly to the Administrator and has supported the work of the SAB.
Composed of non-Federal government experts, the SAB provides the
Administrator with outside, independent advice on scientific,
engineering, economics, and social sciences issues that impact the
technical basis for EPA positions, including regulations, guidance, and
research plans. Generally, the SAB does not address policy aspects of
problems confronting the Agency, since such matters are the
jurisdiction and responsibility of the EPA Administrator.
The SAB conducts its business in public view and benefits from
public input during its deliberations. Through these public
proceedings, Agency positions are subjected to critical examination by
leading experts in various fields who serve on SAB Committees and
Panels. By statute, the Board is subject to the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act that require public access and public
input into the advisory processes.
In addition, the EPA SAB Staff Office is holding this meeting to
improve processes for public access and public input, as part of the
Agency's overall efforts to implement its Draft Public Involvement
Policy (65 FR 82335-82345, December 28, 2000). Consistent with that
policy, the SAB Staff Office recognizes that it serves the general
public, because every person living in the United States is an ultimate
beneficiary of EPA actions to protect public health and the environment
when those actions draw upon SAB advice. Thus the Staff Office invites
written comments (details provided below on how to submit those
comments) from individuals unable to attend the September 26, 2002
session.
Specific Format and Topics for the September 26, 2002 Session. A
draft agenda for the session will be posted on the SAB website on or
about September 6, 2002. The session will include a plenary session
that will report on recent efforts to strengthen the SAB's panel
formation process and will also orient participants to the two major
topics for discussion: ``Public Involvement in SAB Meetings and Report
Development'' and the ``SAB's Public Access Web site'' (http://www.epa.gov/sab). Break-out sessions will then follow and allow
participants to ask questions and provide input on these two major
topics.
At the break-out session on Public Involvement in SAB Meetings and
Report Development, topics to be covered will include: participants'
views of the most valuable aspects of the current process and
participants' suggestions for additions or changes to the process.
At the break-out session on the SAB's Public Access Web site
(http://www.epa.gov/sab), topics will include: Participants' views of
the most valuable features and participants' suggestions for features
or functions to add or change.
Participants in the September 26, 2002 session will have the
opportunity to participate in both break-out sessions.
The last part of the agenda will allow participants to identify
topics for future sessions being planned by the EPA SAB Staff Office.
Registration for the September 26, 2002 Session. Persons wishing to
register must send the following information by September 19, 2002 to
Ms. Diana Pozun, Program Specialist, EPA Science Advisory Board at
[email protected]: Name, Title, Organization, telephone number, fax
number, email.
Provision of Written Comments by Individuals Unable to Attend the
September 26, 2002 Session. Persons unable to attend the public meeting
who wish to provide written comments on the specific topics identified
above may send those comments to Dr. Angela Nugent of the Science
Advisory Board Staff by email at [email protected]. Written
comments received prior to noon Eastern time on September 25, 2002 will
[[Page 56832]]
be included in the discussion at the public session.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Members of the public desiring additional
information about the session on September 26, 2002, must contact Dr.
Angela Nugent, Special Assistant to the Director, EPA Science Advisory
Board (1400A), Suite 6450, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202) 564-4562; FAX (202) 501-0323; or
via e-mail at [email protected]. Information on meeting logistics
can be obtained from Ms. Diana Pozun, Program Specialist, EPA Science
Advisory Board (1400A), Suite 6450, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone/voice mail at (202) 564-4533; fax
at (202) 501-0323; or via e-mail at [email protected].
Meeting Access: Individuals requiring special accommodation at this
meeting, including wheelchair access to the conference room, should
contact Ms. Pozun at least five business days prior to the meeting so
that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Dated: August 29, 2002.
Vanessa T. Vu,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 02-22609 Filed 9-4-02; 8:45 am]
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