Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public Teleconference of the Chartered Science Advisory Board, 27553-27554 [2010-11691]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 94 / Monday, May 17, 2010 / Notices conjunction with other agencies, is currently developing Bay-wide pollutant reduction goals that will ultimately be used to establish total maximum daily loads (TMDL) under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The TMDL will be followed by the development of watershed implementation plans in 92 Bay subwatersheds that will have had load and wasteload allocations assigned based on the TMDL and the Chesapeake Bay model. While the Section 502 guidance is required to be published before the TMDL is finalized, we expect that the TMDL and sub-watershed allocations will clarify that the nonpoint sources in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will need to be controlled, and be controlled well, in order to restore the Bay. This guidance should help land managers identify and select practices that should provide the needed level of control. This guidance has chapters addressing the following categories of activity (excluding sources regulated as point sources): Agriculture; Urban and Suburban areas, including Turf; Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems; Forestry; Riparian Areas; and Hydromodification. Each chapter contains implementation measures that provide the framework for the chapter. These are intended to convey the essential actions that will need to be implemented in order to assure that the broad goals of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order can be achieved. Each chapter also includes information on practices that can be used to achieve the goals; information on the effectiveness and costs of the practices; where relevant, cost savings or other economic/societal benefits (in addition to the pollutant reduction benefits) that derive from the implementation goals and/or practices; and copious references to other documents that provide additional information. EPA emphasizes that this is not a regulatory document. At the same time it is important to realize that Section 501 of the Executive Order directs federal agencies with ten or more acres within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to implement the Section 502 guidance as expeditiously as practicable and to the extent permitted by law. While this guidance may at times refer to existing statutory and regulatory provisions that contain legally binding requirements, this document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, or the public and might not apply to a particular situation according to the circumstances. EPA and state VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:36 May 14, 2010 Jkt 220001 decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches to control nonpoint source pollution that differ from this guidance where appropriate, and EPA may change this guidance in the future. How can I get copies of this document and other related information? EPA Web site: EPA published the guidance on May 12, 2010, on our Web site at https://www.epa.gov/nps/ chesbay502. On this Web site, the guidance can be downloaded in full or by chapter. Also available on this Web site are a summary of the suite of implementation measures described and a response to public and peer review comments. Docket: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2009–0761. The final EO 13508 Section 502 guidance document is available in the docket at https:// www.regulations.gov. Assistance and tips for accessing the docket can be found at https:// executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net. For additional information about the public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/ epahome/dockets.htm. Publicly available docket materials are available electronically either through https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for this docket is 202–566–2426. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744. Certain material, such as copyrighted materials, will be publicly available only in hard copy at the Docket Center. Dated: May 11, 2010. Peter S. Silva, Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2010–11693 Filed 5–14–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9152–3] Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public Teleconference of the Chartered Science Advisory Board AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27553 public teleconference of the chartered SAB on June 16, 2010 to conduct quality reviews of two draft SAB reports. In addition, the SAB will discuss its draft report on EPA’s strategic research directions. DATES: The public teleconference will be held on June 16, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time). ADDRESSES: The public teleconference will be conducted by telephone only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing to obtain general information concerning this public teleconference should contact Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail (202) 343– 9981; fax (202) 233–0643; or e-mail at nugent.angela@ epa.gov. General information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on the SAB Web site at https://www.epa.gov/ sab. Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2, notice is hereby given that the EPA Science Advisory Board will hold a public teleconference to review three draft SAB reports: (1) The SAB Environmental Engineering Committee Hydraulic Fracturing Research Plan Review; (2) the report from the SAB Work Group to Lead the Review of the Arsenic Cancer Assessment; and (3) the chartered SAB’s draft report on Strategic Research Directions and Integrated Transdisciplinary Research. The SAB was established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the Administrator on the technical basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee under FACA. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Background: (1) Advisory on EPA’s Proposed Hydraulic Fracturing Research Plan Review. In its Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriation Conference Committee Directive to EPA, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a provision that urges EPA to assess the potential risks to drinking water posed by hydraulic fracturing of formations including coalbeds and shale for extraction of natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing generates vertical and horizontal fractures in underground geologic formations to facilitate extraction of gas (or oil) from the subsurface. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 27554 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 94 / Monday, May 17, 2010 / Notices To meet the Congressional request, EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) developed a draft research plan. This plan described an approach to gather existing data and information including a stakeholder input process; to catalog potential risks to drinking water supplies from hydraulic fracturing; to identify data gaps; and to develop research questions, research needs, and research products. ORD requested SAB advice regarding the planned research. The SAB Environmental Engineering Committee discussed its advice on April 7–8, 2010 (75 FR 9205–9206). Background information about this advisory activity can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/ sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/ Hydraulic% 20Fracturing?OpenDocument. (2) Review of the Arsenic Cancer Assessment: EPA is currently in the process of updating the 1988 IRIS cancer assessment for inorganic arsenic. The EPA evaluated and implemented the National Research Council recommendations in their report titled Arsenic in Drinking Water: 2001 Update and in 2005 requested the SAB review the Agency’s draft cancer assessment for inorganic arsenic. The SAB review report (Advisory on EPA’s Assessments of Carcinogenic Effects of Organic and Inorganic Arsenic: A Report of the US EPA Science Advisory Board, EPA– SAB–07–008) was finalized in 2007. EPA’s Office of Research Development has recently completed a 2010 draft titled: ‘‘Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic: In Support of the Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)’’. ORD requested that the SAB evaluate and comment on EPA’s interpretation and implementation of the key SAB (2007) recommendations. ORD requested a review focusing in three areas of the draft cancer assessment of inorganic arsenic: Evaluation of epidemiological literature; dose-response modeling approaches; and the sensitivity analysis of the exposure assumptions used in the risk assessment. A work group of the chartered SAB discussed its review on April 6–7, 2010 (75 FR 9205–9206). Background information about this advisory activity can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct. nsf/fedrgstr_activites/Rev%20Tox%20 Review%20Inorg%20Arsenic ?OpenDocument. (3) Chartered SAB’s draft report on strategic research directions and integrated transdisciplinary research: Since 2007 EPA’s ORD has requested SAB advice on strategic research VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:36 May 14, 2010 Jkt 220001 directions. ORD requested advice on the overall strategic direction of the program in relation to EPA’s overall mission and components of EPA’s research program. The draft report was developed after SAB discussions with ORD about strategic research directions on November 9–10, 2009 (74 FR 52805– 52806) and April 5–6, 2010 (75 FR 11883–11884). Background information about this advisory activity can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa .gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_ activites/Research%20Directions ?OpenDocument. Availability of Meeting Materials: The agenda and other materials in support of the teleconference will be placed on the SAB Web site at https://www.epa.gov/sab in advance of the teleconference. 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 EPA. Members of the public can submit comments for a Federal advisory committee to consider as it develops advice for EPA. They should send their comments directly to the Designated Federal Officer for the relevant advisory committee. Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting time to make an oral presentation at a public SAB teleconference will be limited to three minutes, with no more than one-half hour for all speakers. Those interested in being placed on the public speakers list should contact Dr. Nugent at the contact information provided above by June 9, 2010. Written Statements: Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office by June 9, 2010. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO via e-mail to nugent.angela @epa.gov (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM–PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). Submitters are asked to provide versions of each document submitted with and without signatures, because the SAB Staff Office does not publish documents with signatures on its Web sites. Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Dr. Angela Nugent at (202) 343–9981 or nugent. angela@epa.gov. To request PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 accommodation of a disability, please contact her preferably at least 10 days prior to the teleconference, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: May 10, 2010. Anthony Maciorowski, Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. 2010–11691 Filed 5–14–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9152–4] Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Request for Nominations of Experts for the SAB Arsenic Review Panel AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice request for nominations. SUMMARY: The Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is requesting public nominations of experts to form an SAB panel to review EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment for inorganic arsenic (noncancer). DATES: Nominations should be submitted by June 7, 2010 per instructions below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing further information regarding this Request for Nominations may contact Dr. Sue Shallal, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail (202) 343–9977; by fax at (202) 233–0643; or via e-mail at shallal.suhair@epa.gov. General information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on the EPA SAB Web site at https://www. epa.gov/sab. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA is revising an assessment for arsenic in support of EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). The National Research Council (NRC) published reports on the health effects of arsenic in 1999 and 2001. Since 2001, information has been developed for dermal hyperpigmentation, keratosis, and epidemiology of inorganic arsenic that may impact EPA’s 1988 values. The IRIS Program is preparing an assessment which will incorporate available noncancer health effects information for inorganic arsenic, as well as new risk assessment methods. ORD has requested that the SAB conduct the external peer review of its revised draft assessment. E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 94 (Monday, May 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27553-27554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11691]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9152-3]


Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public 
Teleconference of the Chartered Science Advisory Board

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a 
public teleconference of the chartered SAB on June 16, 2010 to conduct 
quality reviews of two draft SAB reports. In addition, the SAB will 
discuss its draft report on EPA's strategic research directions.

DATES: The public teleconference will be held on June 16, 2010 from 11 
a.m. to 2 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).

ADDRESSES: The public teleconference will be conducted by telephone 
only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing to 
obtain general information concerning this public teleconference should 
contact Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA 
Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail (202) 343-9981; fax 
(202) 233-0643; or e-mail at epa.gov">nugent.angela@epa.gov. General 
information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on 
the SAB Web site at https://www.epa.gov/sab.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2, notice is hereby given that the EPA 
Science Advisory Board will hold a public teleconference to review 
three draft SAB reports: (1) The SAB Environmental Engineering 
Committee Hydraulic Fracturing Research Plan Review; (2) the report 
from the SAB Work Group to Lead the Review of the Arsenic Cancer 
Assessment; and (3) the chartered SAB's draft report on Strategic 
Research Directions and Integrated Transdisciplinary Research. The SAB 
was established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent 
scientific and technical advice to the Administrator on the technical 
basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal 
Advisory Committee under FACA. The SAB will comply with the provisions 
of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies.
    Background: (1) Advisory on EPA's Proposed Hydraulic Fracturing 
Research Plan Review. In its Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriation Conference 
Committee Directive to EPA, the U.S. House of Representatives approved 
a provision that urges EPA to assess the potential risks to drinking 
water posed by hydraulic fracturing of formations including coalbeds 
and shale for extraction of natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing generates 
vertical and horizontal fractures in underground geologic formations to 
facilitate extraction of gas (or oil) from the subsurface.

[[Page 27554]]

    To meet the Congressional request, EPA's Office of Research and 
Development (ORD) developed a draft research plan. This plan described 
an approach to gather existing data and information including a 
stakeholder input process; to catalog potential risks to drinking water 
supplies from hydraulic fracturing; to identify data gaps; and to 
develop research questions, research needs, and research products. ORD 
requested SAB advice regarding the planned research. The SAB 
Environmental Engineering Committee discussed its advice on April 7-8, 
2010 (75 FR 9205-9206). Background information about this advisory 
activity can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/Hydraulic%20Fracturing?OpenDocument.
    (2) Review of the Arsenic Cancer Assessment: EPA is currently in 
the process of updating the 1988 IRIS cancer assessment for inorganic 
arsenic. The EPA evaluated and implemented the National Research 
Council recommendations in their report titled Arsenic in Drinking 
Water: 2001 Update and in 2005 requested the SAB review the Agency's 
draft cancer assessment for inorganic arsenic. The SAB review report 
(Advisory on EPA's Assessments of Carcinogenic Effects of Organic and 
Inorganic Arsenic: A Report of the US EPA Science Advisory Board, EPA-
SAB-07-008) was finalized in 2007.
    EPA's Office of Research Development has recently completed a 2010 
draft titled: ``Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic: In Support 
of the Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System 
(IRIS)''. ORD requested that the SAB evaluate and comment on EPA's 
interpretation and implementation of the key SAB (2007) 
recommendations. ORD requested a review focusing in three areas of the 
draft cancer assessment of inorganic arsenic: Evaluation of 
epidemiological literature; dose-response modeling approaches; and the 
sensitivity analysis of the exposure assumptions used in the risk 
assessment.
    A work group of the chartered SAB discussed its review on April 6-
7, 2010 (75 FR 9205-9206). Background information about this advisory 
activity can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/
sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr--activites/
Rev%20Tox%20Review%20Inorg%20Arsenic?OpenDocument.
    (3) Chartered SAB's draft report on strategic research directions 
and integrated transdisciplinary research: Since 2007 EPA's ORD has 
requested SAB advice on strategic research directions. ORD requested 
advice on the overall strategic direction of the program in relation to 
EPA's overall mission and components of EPA's research program. The 
draft report was developed after SAB discussions with ORD about 
strategic research directions on November 9-10, 2009 (74 FR 52805-
52806) and April 5-6, 2010 (75 FR 11883-11884).
    Background information about this advisory activity can be found on 
the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/Research%20Directions?OpenDocument.
    Availability of Meeting Materials: The agenda and other materials 
in support of the teleconference will be placed on the SAB Web site at 
https://www.epa.gov/sab in advance of the teleconference.
    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 EPA. Members of the 
public can submit comments for a Federal advisory committee to consider 
as it develops advice for EPA. They should send their comments directly 
to the Designated Federal Officer for the relevant advisory committee. 
Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting time to 
make an oral presentation at a public SAB teleconference will be 
limited to three minutes, with no more than one-half hour for all 
speakers. Those interested in being placed on the public speakers list 
should contact Dr. Nugent at the contact information provided above by 
June 9, 2010. Written Statements: Written statements should be received 
in the SAB Staff Office by June 9, 2010. Written statements should be 
supplied to the DFO via e-mail to epa.gov">nugent.angela@epa.gov (acceptable 
file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or 
Rich Text files in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). Submitters are 
asked to provide versions of each document submitted with and without 
signatures, because the SAB Staff Office does not publish documents 
with signatures on its Web sites.
    Accessibility: For information on access or services for 
individuals with disabilities, please contact Dr. Angela Nugent at 
(202) 343-9981 or epa.gov">nugent.angela@epa.gov. To request accommodation of a 
disability, please contact her preferably at least 10 days prior to the 
teleconference, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your 
request.

    Dated: May 10, 2010.
Anthony Maciorowski,
Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 2010-11691 Filed 5-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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