[Federal Register: October 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 199)]
[Notices]
[Page 60336-60337]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc05-88]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7984-2]
Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Scientific and Technological
Achievement Awards Review Panel (FY2006-FY2009) Request for Nominations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is
requesting nominations for experts to serve on a SAB Scientific and
Technological Achievement Awards (STAA) Review Panel (FY2006-FY2009).
This Panel reviews peer-reviewed publications from EPA scientists and
makes recommendations for awards.
DATES: Nominations should be submitted by November 7, 2005 per
instructions below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing
further information regarding this Notice and Request for Nominations
may contact Ms. Vivian Turner, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), SAB
Staff Office, by telephone/voice mail at (202) 343-9697; by fax at
(202) 233-0643 or via e-mail at turner.vivian@epa.gov. General
information concerning the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found at
the EPA SAB Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has established the STAA to honor and
recognize EPA employees who have made outstanding contributions to
science and technology through publication in peer-reviewed journals.
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) has requested the SAB to
review the nominated scientific publications. Accordingly, the SAB
Staff Office, under the auspices of the SAB, is forming a new panel to
review the nominated publications. The SAB is chartered under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App.). The
Panel will comply with the provisions of FACA and SAB procedural
policies, including the SAB process for panel formation described in
the Overview of the Panel Formation Process at the Environmental
Protection Agency Science Advisory Board, which can found on the SAB
Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/ecm02003.pdf. The Panel will
hold a closed meeting to develop award recommendations.
[[Page 60337]]
Request for Nominations
The SAB is soliciting nominations of nationally recognized
scientists and engineers to serve on the STAA Panel for a term of three
years. The Panel will consider nominations in the areas of: Control
systems and technology; monitoring and measurement methods (all media);
health effects and human risk assessment; ecological effects and
ecological risk assessment; ecosystem restoration; chemical fate,
transport and exposure assessment; risk management; integrated risk
assessment; social sciences; and environmental futures. These areas are
described in more detail at the web site identified above.
Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations
Any interested person or organization may nominate individuals
qualified in the areas of expertise described above to serve on the SAB
STAA Review Panel. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format
through the SAB Nomination Form which can be accessed through a link on
the blue navigational bar on the SAB Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/paneltopics.html.
To be considered, all nominations must
include the information requested on that form.
Anyone who is unable to submit nominations using the electronic
form or questions concerning any aspect of the nomination process may
contact the DFO, as indicated above in this notice. Nominations should
be submitted no later than November 7, 2005. Any questions concerning
either this process or any other aspects of this notice should be
directed to the DFO. The process for forming a SAB panel is described
in the Overview of the Panel Formation Process at the Environmental
Protection Agency, Science Advisory Board (EPA-SAB-EC-COM-02-010),
which may be accessed on the SAB Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/ec02010.pdf
.
Nominees identified by respondents to this Federal Register notice
(termed the ``Widecast'') will be evaluated on the basis of scientific
expertise and experience in the aforementioned descriptions, as well as
prior national committee experience. Appropriately profiled candidates
will be identified and placed on a ``Short List'' for further
consideration. The ``Short List'' will be posted on the SAB Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/sab and will include the nominee's name and
biosketch. Public comments on the ``Short List'' will be accepted
during a public comment period. The public will be requested to provide
information, analysis or other documentation on nominees that the SAB
Staff Office should consider in evaluating candidates for the Panel.
The STAA panelists will be selected from the ``Short List.'' For
the SAB, a balanced panel is characterized by inclusion of candidates
who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant scientific
perspectives (which, among other factors, can be influenced by work
history and affiliation), and the collective breadth of expertise and
experience to adequately address the charge. Public responses to the
``Short List'' candidates will be considered in the selection of the
panel, along with information provided by candidates and information
gathered by SAB Staff independently on the background of each candidate
(e.g., financial disclosure information and computer searches to
evaluate a nominee's prior involvement with the topic under review).
Specific criteria to be used in evaluation of an individual Panel
member include: (a) Scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge,
and experience (primary factors); (b) absence of financial conflicts of
interest; (c) scientific credibility and impartiality; (d) availability
and willingness to serve; and (e) ability to work constructively and
effectively in committees.
Potential panelists will be required to complete and submit the
``Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government
Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency'' (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential
form allows Government officials to determine whether there is a
statutory conflict between that person's public responsibilities (which
includes membership on an EPA Federal advisory committee) and private
interests and activities, or the appearance of a lack of impartiality,
as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded
from the following URL address: http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/
epaform3110-48.pdf.
Dated: October 7, 2005.
Anthony F. Maciorowski,
Associate Director for Science, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff
Office.
[FR Doc. 05-20705 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
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