81 FR 10619 - Notification of a Public Meeting of the Chartered Science Advisory Board

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)

Page Range		10619-10620
FR Document		2016-04451

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public meeting of the chartered SAB to: (1) Conduct a quality review of a draft SAB report on an accounting framework for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions; (2) discuss information provided by the EPA on planned actions in the Fall 2015 semi-annual regulatory agenda and their supporting science; and (3) receive briefings from the EPA Office of Research and Development and the Office of the Science Advisor.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10619-10620]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04451]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9942-97-OA]


Notification of a Public Meeting of the Chartered Science 
Advisory Board

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory 
Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public meeting of the chartered 
SAB to: (1) Conduct a quality review of a draft SAB report on an 
accounting framework for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions; (2) discuss 
information provided by the EPA on planned actions in the Fall 2015 
semi-annual regulatory agenda and their supporting science; and (3) 
receive briefings from the EPA Office of Research and Development and 
the Office of the Science Advisor.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016, 
from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday April 1, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 
1:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Westin Crystal City, 1800 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public who wants 
further information concerning the meeting may contact Mr. Thomas 
Carpenter, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board 
(1400R), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail (202) 564-4885, or 
email at [email protected]. General information concerning the 
SAB can be found on the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sab.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The SAB was established pursuant to the Environmental 
Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), 
codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, to provide independent scientific and 
technical advice to the Administrator on the scientific and technical 
basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal 
Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2. The SAB will comply with the provisions of 
FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Pursuant 
to FACA and EPA policy, notice is hereby given that the SAB will hold a 
public meeting to discuss and deliberate on the topics below.

(1) Quality Review of a Draft SAB Review Report on the Framework for 
Assessing Biogenic CO2 Emissions From Stationary Sources

    In 2012, the SAB completed a review of the first draft accounting 
framework addressing scientific and technical issues associated with 
biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Accounting 
Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions from Stationary Sources (September 
2011). The EPA subsequently revised the 2011 framework and requested 
the SAB to conduct a review of the Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO2 
Emissions from Stationary Sources (November 2014). The purpose of the 
2014 framework is to develop a method for calculating the adjustment, 
or Biogenic Assessment Factor (BAF), for carbon emissions associated 
with the combustion of biogenic feedstocks taking into account the 
biological carbon cycle effects associated with their growth, harvest 
and processing. The SAB convened the Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel to 
review the framework.
    The chartered SAB will conduct a quality review of the panel's 
draft report before it is transmitted to the EPA Administrator. The SAB 
quality review process ensures that all draft reports developed by SAB 
panels, committees or workgroups are reviewed and approved by the 
Chartered SAB before being finalized and transmitted to the EPA 
Administrator. These reviews are conducted in a public meeting as 
required by FACA. Background on the current advisory activity, Biogenic 
Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Stationary Sources--Assessment Framework 
can be found on the SAB Web site at http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/Biogenic%20CO2%20Framework?OpenDocument.

(2) Discussion of Information in the Agency's Semiannual Regulatory 
Agenda

    As part of the EPA's effort to routinely inform the SAB about 
proposed and planned agency actions that have a scientific or technical 
basis, the agency provided notice to the SAB that the Office of 
Management and Budget published the ``Unified (Regulatory) Agenda'' on 
the Web on November 20, 2015 available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain.
    The SAB convened a Work Group to review information provided in the 
agency's Fall 2015 regulatory agenda regarding EPA planned actions and 
their supporting science. The SAB will discuss recommendations and 
information developed by the Work Group regarding the adequacy of the 
science supporting the planned actions. Information about this advisory 
activity can be found on the Web at http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/SAB%20Fall%202015%20Reg%20Agenda?OpenDocument.
    Availability of Meeting Materials: A meeting agenda and other 
materials for the meeting will be placed on the SAB Web site at http://epa.gov/sab.
    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 the EPA. Members of 
the public can submit relevant comments pertaining to the EPA's charge, 
meeting materials, or the group providing advice. Input from the public 
to the SAB will have the most impact if it provides specific scientific 
or technical information or analysis for the SAB to consider or if it 
relates to the clarity or accuracy of the technical information. 
Members of the public wishing to provide comment should contact the DFO 
directly.
    Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an 
oral presentation at a public meeting will be limited to five minutes. 
Persons interested in providing oral statements at the March 31-April 
1, 2016, meeting should contact Mr. Thomas Carpenter, DFO, in writing 
(preferably via email) at the contact information noted above by March 
23, 2016 to be placed on the list of registered speakers. Written 
Statements: Written statements for the March 31-April 1, 2016, meeting 
should be received in the SAB Staff Office by March 23, 2016, so that 
the information can be made available to the SAB for its consideration 
prior to the meeting. Written statements should be supplied

[[Page 10620]]

to the DFO at the contact information above via email (preferred) or in 
hard copy with original signature. Submitters are requested to provide 
a signed and unsigned version of each document because the SAB Staff 
Office does not publish documents with signatures on its Web sites. 
Members of the public should be aware that their personal contact 
information, if included in any written comments, may be posted to the 
SAB Web site. Copyrighted material will not be posted without explicit 
permission of the copyright holder.
    Accessibility: For information on access or services for 
individuals with disabilities, please contact Mr. Carpenter at the 
phone number or email address noted above, preferably at least ten days 
prior to the meeting, to give the EPA as much time as possible to 
process your request.

    Dated: February 22, 2016.
Christopher Zarba,
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.
[FR Doc. 2016-04451 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10619

• Letter(s) of recommendation from a Agency positions and regulations. The Office of Management and Budget
third party supporting the nomination. SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee published the ‘‘Unified (Regulatory)
For further questions regarding this chartered under the Federal Advisory Agenda’’ on the Web on November 20,
notice, please contact Lara P. Phelps at Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2015 available at http://
(919) 541–5544 or phelps.lara@epa.gov. 2. The SAB will comply with the www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
Dated: February 23, 2016. provisions of FACA and all appropriate eAgendaMain.
SAB Staff Office procedural policies. The SAB convened a Work Group to
Thomas Burke,
Pursuant to FACA and EPA policy, review information provided in the
EPA Science Advisor. agency’s Fall 2015 regulatory agenda
notice is hereby given that the SAB will
[FR Doc. 2016–04445 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] hold a public meeting to discuss and regarding EPA planned actions and their
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P deliberate on the topics below. supporting science. The SAB will
discuss recommendations and
(1) Quality Review of a Draft SAB information developed by the Work
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Review Report on the Framework for Group regarding the adequacy of the
AGENCY Assessing Biogenic CO2 Emissions From science supporting the planned actions.
Stationary Sources Information about this advisory activity
[FRL–9942–97–OA]
In 2012, the SAB completed a review can be found on the Web at http://
Notification of a Public Meeting of the of the first draft accounting framework yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/
Chartered Science Advisory Board addressing scientific and technical fedrgstr_activites/SAB%20Fall%20
issues associated with biogenic carbon 2015%20Reg%20
AGENCY: Environmental Protection dioxide (CO2) emissions, Accounting Agenda?OpenDocument.
Agency (EPA). Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions Availability of Meeting Materials: A
ACTION: Notice. from Stationary Sources (September meeting agenda and other materials for
2011). The EPA subsequently revised the meeting will be placed on the SAB
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection the 2011 framework and requested the Web site at http://epa.gov/sab.
Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board SAB to conduct a review of the Procedures for Providing Public Input:
(SAB) Staff Office announces a public Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO2 Public comment for consideration by
meeting of the chartered SAB to: (1) Emissions from Stationary Sources EPA’s federal advisory committees and
Conduct a quality review of a draft SAB (November 2014). The purpose of the panels has a different purpose from
report on an accounting framework for 2014 framework is to develop a method public comment provided to EPA
biogenic carbon dioxide emissions; (2) for calculating the adjustment, or program offices. Therefore, the process
discuss information provided by the Biogenic Assessment Factor (BAF), for for submitting comments to a federal
EPA on planned actions in the Fall 2015 carbon emissions associated with the advisory committee is different from the
semi-annual regulatory agenda and their combustion of biogenic feedstocks process used to submit comments to an
supporting science; and (3) receive taking into account the biological EPA program office.
briefings from the EPA Office of carbon cycle effects associated with Federal advisory committees and
Research and Development and the their growth, harvest and processing. panels, including scientific advisory
Office of the Science Advisor. The SAB convened the Biogenic Carbon committees, provide independent
DATES: The public meeting will be held Emissions Panel to review the advice to the EPA. Members of the
on Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 1:30 framework. public can submit relevant comments
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday April 1, The chartered SAB will conduct a pertaining to the EPA’s charge, meeting
2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. quality review of the panel’s draft report materials, or the group providing
before it is transmitted to the EPA advice. Input from the public to the SAB
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
Administrator. The SAB quality review will have the most impact if it provides
the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Jefferson
process ensures that all draft reports specific scientific or technical
Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.
developed by SAB panels, committees information or analysis for the SAB to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any consider or if it relates to the clarity or
or workgroups are reviewed and
member of the public who wants further approved by the Chartered SAB before accuracy of the technical information.
information concerning the meeting being finalized and transmitted to the Members of the public wishing to
may contact Mr. Thomas Carpenter, EPA Administrator. These reviews are provide comment should contact the
Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA conducted in a public meeting as DFO directly.
Science Advisory Board (1400R), U.S. required by FACA. Background on the Oral Statements: In general,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 current advisory activity, Biogenic individuals or groups requesting an oral
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, Carbon Dioxide Emissions from presentation at a public meeting will be
DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail Stationary Sources—Assessment limited to five minutes. Persons
(202) 564–4885, or email at Framework can be found on the SAB interested in providing oral statements
carpenter.thomas@epa.gov. General Web site at http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/ at the March 31–April 1, 2016, meeting
information concerning the SAB can be sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_activites/ should contact Mr. Thomas Carpenter,
found on the EPA Web site at http:// Biogenic%20CO2%20Framework? DFO, in writing (preferably via email) at
www.epa.gov/sab. OpenDocument. the contact information noted above by
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: March 23, 2016 to be placed on the list
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Background: The SAB was (2) Discussion of Information in the of registered speakers. Written
established pursuant to the Agency’s Semiannual Regulatory Statements: Written statements for the
Environmental Research, Development, Agenda March 31–April 1, 2016, meeting should
and Demonstration Authorization Act As part of the EPA’s effort to routinely be received in the SAB Staff Office by
(ERDDAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, inform the SAB about proposed and March 23, 2016, so that the information
to provide independent scientific and planned agency actions that have a can be made available to the SAB for its
technical advice to the Administrator on scientific or technical basis, the agency consideration prior to the meeting.
the scientific and technical basis for provided notice to the SAB that the Written statements should be supplied

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10620 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices

to the DFO at the contact information responsible for the maintenance of restricted by statute. Certain other
above via email (preferred) or in hard hydrologic flow regime to quantify flow material, such as copyrighted material,
copy with original signature. Submitters targets for the preservation of aquatic will be publicly available only in hard
are requested to provide a signed and life and habitat. This report also copy. Publicly available docket
unsigned version of each document provides information on the materials are available either
because the SAB Staff Office does not relationship between hydrologic electronically in www.regulations.gov or
publish documents with signatures on condition and water quality and gives in hard copy at the Water Docket, EPA/
its Web sites. Members of the public examples of what some states and DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
should be aware that their personal authorized tribes have done to address Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
contact information, if included in any flow concerns using the Clean Water DC. The Public Reading Room is open
written comments, may be posted to the Act. The framework can also be used to from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
SAB Web site. Copyrighted material will translate narrative criteria and develop through Friday, excluding legal
not be posted without explicit flow targets to protect aquatic life and holidays. The telephone number for the
permission of the copyright holder. habitat. Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
Accessibility: For information on DATES: Comments must be received on and the telephone number for the Water
access or services for individuals with or before May 2, 2016. Docket is (202) 566–2426. For additional
disabilities, please contact Mr. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
information about EPA’s public docket,
Carpenter at the phone number or email identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– visit EPA Docket Center homepage at
address noted above, preferably at least OW–2015–0335, to the Federal http://www.epa.gov/epahome/
ten days prior to the meeting, to give the eRulemaking Portal: http:// dockets.htm.
EPA as much time as possible to process www.regulations.gov. Follow the online II. How will this document be used?
your request. instructions for submitting comments.
Dated: February 22, 2016. Once submitted, comments cannot be This draft report is a nonprescriptive
Christopher Zarba, edited or withdrawn. EPA may publish framework that can be used to help
Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff any comment received to its public quantify targets for flow regime
Office. docket. Do not submit electronically any components that are protective of
[FR Doc. 2016–04451 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] information you consider to be aquatic life and their habitats. Flow
Confidential Business Information (CBI) targets can help states, tribes, and
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
or other information whose disclosure is territories to prepare for changes in
restricted by statute. Multimedia historic flow patterns. Maintaining flow
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be targets may help increase a stream’s
AGENCY accompanied by a written comment. resilience to climate change by reducing
The written comment is considered the or avoiding intensification of existing
[EPA–HQ–OW–2015–0335; FRL–9943–13– stresses. This document, even after
official comment and should include
OW] issued in final form, is not a rule, and
discussion of all points you wish to
make. EPA will generally not consider it is therefore not mandatory for states
Request for Public Comment on the and authorized tribes to adopt this
Draft EPA–USGS Technical Report: comments or comment contents located
outside of the primary submission (i.e., framework into their water quality
Protecting Aquatic Life From Effects of standards. Once the comment period
Hydrologic Alteration on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission has ended, EPA and the USGS will
AGENCY: Environmental Protection methods, the full EPA public comment consider the comments, revise the
Agency (EPA) and United States policy, information about CBI or document, as appropriate, and then
Geological Survey (USGS). multimedia submissions, and general publish a final document that will serve
ACTION: Notice of availability. guidance on making effective as a source of information for states,
comments, please visit http:// tribes, territories, and other
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting- stakeholders.
Agency (EPA) and the United States epa-dockets. III. Solicitation of Scientific Views
Geological Survey are releasing a draft FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
technical report: Protecting Aquatic Life EPA and USGS are soliciting
Diana Eignor, Health and Ecological
from Effects of Hydrologic Alteration, additional scientific views, data, and
Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail
for a 60-day public comment period. information regarding the science and
Code 4304T), Environmental Protection
This report was developed because technical approach used in the
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
hydrologic alteration can be a derivation of this draft technical
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
contributor of impairment for water document on hydrologic alteration.
number: (202) 566–1143; email address:
bodies that are designated to support eignor.diana@epa.gov. IV. Additional Information
aquatic life. Stresses on aquatic life
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
associated with hydrologic alteration EPA and USGS each conducted
may be further exacerbated through I. General Information internal peer reviews of the report, and
climate change. Recent climate trends EPA managed a contractor-led
have included the change in frequency A. How can I Get Copies of This independent external peer review of the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

and duration of extreme weather events, Document and Other Related Draft EPA–USGS Technical Report:
such as droughts and floods, which can Information? Protecting Aquatic Life from Effects of
have an impact on flow and affect 1. Docket: All documents in the Hydrologic Alteration. EPA will make
aquatic life. docket are listed in the the external peer review comments and
The report is a nonprescriptive www.regulations.gov index. Although Agency responses to these comments
framework with information to help listed in the index, some information is available in the docket with the revised
states, tribes, territories, water resource not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other draft technical document at http://
managers, and other stakeholders information whose disclosure is www.regulations.gov.

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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:00:20
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:00:20

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		The public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday April 1, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact		Any member of the public who wants further information concerning the meeting may contact Mr. Thomas Carpenter, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board (1400R), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail (202) 564-4885, or email at [email protected] General information concerning the SAB can be found on the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sab.
FR Citation		81 FR 10619