[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 54046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18227]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7968-8]


Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification To Convene 
Workgroups of Experts for Rapid Consultative Advice on Scientific and 
Technical Issues From Hurricane Katrina

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces 
its intent to convene workgroups of experts drawn from the U.S. EPA 
SAB, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and the Advisory 
Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis (chartered advisory 
committees), their standing committees, subcommittees, and advisory 
panels to provide rapid consultative advice on scientific and technical 
issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Members of the public who wish to 
obtain information about the rapid consultative advice process and 
projects may contact Dr. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Associate Director for 
Science, Science Advisory Board Staff Office, by telephone at (202) 
343-9983; by e-mail at [email protected]; or by mail at the 
U.S. EPA, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SAB was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to 
provide independent scientific and technical advice, consultation, and 
recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a technical basis for 
Agency positions and regulations. The SAB anticipates that the scope 
and scale of environmental destruction in Mississippi, Louisiana and 
Alabama will lead EPA Program Offices and Regions to request advice on 
an array of scientific and technical issues. Rapid consultative advice 
from nationally recognized scientists and engineers will assist the 
Agency in developing and implementing timely and scientifically 
appropriate responses to Hurricane Katrina induced destruction and 
contamination along the Gulf Coast.
    To expedite the development of advice on Hurricane Katrina related 
issues, the SAB Staff Office will convene workgroups of technical 
experts drawn from the U.S. EPA SAB, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory 
Committee, the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis 
(chartered advisory committees), their standing committees, 
subcommittees, and advisory panels. Workgroup members will be invited 
to serve based on their scientific and technical expertise, knowledge, 
and experience; availability and willingness to serve; absence of 
financial conflicts of interest; and scientific credibility and 
impartiality. Due to critical mission and schedule requirements, there 
is insufficient time to provide the full 15 days notice in the Federal 
Register prior to advisory committee meetings, pursuant to the final 
rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management codified at 41 CFR 102-
3.150. Therefore, information on the workgroup consultations will be 
posted on the SAB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sab as they are 
available.

    Dated: September 8, 2005.
Vanessa Vu,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 05-18227 Filed 9-12-05; 8:45 am]
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