82 FR 43361 - Request for Public Comments To Be Sent to Versar, Inc., on an Interim List of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Expert Peer Reviewers and Draft Peer Review Charge Questions
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 178 (September 15, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 178 (September 15, 2017)
| Page Range | 43361-43362 | |
| FR Document | 2017-19702 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 43361-43362] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-19702] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0439; FRL-9967-70-OW] Request for Public Comments To Be Sent to Versar, Inc., on an Interim List of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Expert Peer Reviewers and Draft Peer Review Charge Questions AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a request for public comment on an interim list of peer review candidates and materials that relate to the expert peer review to support EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act decision making for perchlorate. This request is one of two Federal Register notices being published concurrently, seeking public comment on two separate sets of materials. This notice requests comments to be sent to EPA's contractor, Versar, Inc., on the interim list of peer review candidates and the draft charge questions. Versar, Inc., will consider the comments received on this notice in selecting the final peer review panel, which will collectively provide appropriate expertise spanning the subject matter areas covered by the draft report and, to the extent feasible, best provide a balance of perspectives. EPA will consider comments received on this notice to help inform the final peer review panel's charge. The companion notice requests comments (to be sent to EPA) on a draft report entitled ``Draft Report: Proposed Approaches to Inform the Derivation of a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for Perchlorate in Drinking Water'' (draft MCLG Approaches Report). DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 6, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to Versar, Inc., no later than October 6, 2017 by one of the following methods:Email: [email protected] (subject line: Perchlorate Peer Review) Mail: Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151 (ATTN: Tracey Cowen). Please be advised that public comments are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the interim list of expert peer review candidates and draft peer review charge questions should be directed to Versar, Inc., at 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151; by email [email protected] (subject line: Perchlorate Peer Review); or by phone: (301) 304-3121 (ask for Tracey Cowen). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Process of Obtaining Candidate Reviewers EPA announced a public nomination period from March 1, 2016, to March 31, 2016, in the Federal Register (81 FR 10617; March 1, 2016), during which members of the public were able to nominate scientific experts with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: (1) Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK), physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) and/or biologically based dose-response (BBDR) modeling, (2) fetal and neonatal thyroid endocrinology (clinical and experimental), (3) iodide homeostasis, and (4) perchlorate toxicology and mode of action or adverse outcome pathway. On June 3, 2016, in the Federal Register (81 FR 35760), EPA invited the public to also nominate scientific experts with knowledge and experience in one or [[Page 43362]] more of the following areas of human health risk assessment: (1) An understanding of thyroid function (preferably in the sensitive life stages of interest), (2) the importance of maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in each stage of gestation, (3) hypothyroxinemia, (4) neurodevelopmental assessment indices for young children including the Bayley's Scale, (5) the toxicity of perchlorate, (6) epidemiological assessment techniques, and (7) statistics. Versar, Inc., considered the nominated peer review candidates and also conducted an independent search for scientific experts to augment the list of publically-nominated candidates. Selection Process: Versar, Inc., considered and screened all candidates against the selection criteria described in the March 1, 2016, and June 3, 2016, Federal Register notices (81 FR 10617 and 81 FR 35760, respectively), which included the candidates being free of any conflict of interest and being available to participate in-person in a two-day, public, peer review meeting in the Washington, DC, area. Versar, Inc., narrowed the list of potential reviewers for the second panel to 12 candidates. EPA is now soliciting comments on the interim list of 12 candidates. EPA requests that the public provide relevant information or documentation on the experts that the contractor should consider in evaluating these candidates. Once the public comments on the interim list of candidates have been reviewed and considered, the contractor will select the final list of peer reviewers. Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers: Peer reviewers will be charged with evaluating and preparing written comments on EPA's draft MCLG Approaches Report. Versar, Inc., will provide reviewers with a summary and compilation of public comments on the draft MCLG Approaches Report submitted to EPA's docket (ID number EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0438) during the 45-day public comment period, for their consideration. Reviewers will participate in a two-day meeting expected to be held in the Washington, DC, metro area, projected to occur in late fall of 2017 (exact date to be determined), to discuss the scientific basis supporting these materials. Following the meeting, Versar, Inc., will provide a report to EPA, summarizing the peer reviewers' evaluation of the scientific and technical merit of the draft MCLG Approaches Report and the peer reviewers' full responses to the charge questions. EPA will make the final peer review report available to the public (exact date to be determined). In preparing the final MCLG Approaches Report, EPA will consider the peer review report as well as the written public comments submitted to the docket. II. Interim List of Peer Reviewers Versar, Inc., is considering the following candidates for the peer review panel. Biosketches are available through the EPA docket at http://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2016-0439). After review and consideration of public comments and consultation with EPA's Scientific Integrity Official, Versar, Inc., will select from this list, the final list of peer reviewers, who will, collectively, best provide expertise spanning the previously mentioned areas of knowledge and experience and, to the extent feasible, best provide a balance of perspectives. EPA will announce the peer review panel meeting date, location and registration details, along with the final list of peer reviewers selected by Versar, Inc., at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Name of Nominee, Degree, Place of Employment 1. Hugh A. Barton, Ph.D., Pfizer, Inc. 2. Nancy Carrasco, M.D., Yale School of Medicine 3. Jonathan Chevrier, Ph.D., McGill University Faculty of Medicine 4. Claude Emond, Ph.D., University of Montreal 5. Dale Hattis, Ph.D., George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University 6. Judy S. LaKind, Ph.D., LaKind Associates, LLC 7. Angela M. Leung, M.D., M.Sc., UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine 8. Paul H. Lipkin, M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 9. Elizabeth N. Pearce, M.D., M.Sc., Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine 10. Stephen M. Roberts, Ph.D., University of Florida 11. Joanne F. Rovet, Ph.D., The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto) 12. Craig Steinmaus, M.D., M.P.H., University of California, Berkeley III. Draft Peer Review Charge Questions The draft peer review charge questions are available through the EPA docket at http://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2016- 0439). Dated: September 6, 2017. Michael H. Shapiro, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water. [FR Doc. 2017-19702 Filed 9-14-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Notices 43361
EPA published a draft title V permit for C. What is the purpose of this notice? contractor, Versar, Inc., on the interim
public comment. The public comment EPA is notifying the public of the list of peer review candidates and the
period ended on June 30, 2017, and EPA issuance of title V operating permits to draft charge questions. Versar, Inc., will
did not receive any significant Great Lakes Gas, NRG Reliability consider the comments received on this
comments. EPA issued the final permit Solutions, LLC, Mille Lacs Corporate notice in selecting the final peer review
for Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, permit Ventures and SMSC. EPA is also panel, which will collectively provide
number V–27139R0001–2016–01, on notifying the public of the issuance of appropriate expertise spanning the
July 13, 2017. Pursuant to 40 CFR a title I construction permit to Mille subject matter areas covered by the draft
71.11(i)(2)(iii), the permit became Lacs Corporate Ventures. report and, to the extent feasible, best
effective immediately upon issuance EPA issued permit number V–FDL– provide a balance of perspectives. EPA
since EPA did not receive any 2713700066–2016–03 to Great Lakes will consider comments received on this
comments requesting a change in the Gas on January 26, 2017, which became notice to help inform the final peer
draft permit. effective immediately upon issuance. review panel’s charge. The companion
EPA issued permit number V–PI– notice requests comments (to be sent to
B. Appeal of the Permits
2704900084–2012–13 to NRG Reliability EPA) on a draft report entitled ‘‘Draft
Pursuant to 40 CFR 71.11(l), any Solutions, LLC on January 27, 2017, Report: Proposed Approaches to Inform
person who filed comments on the draft which became effective immediately the Derivation of a Maximum
permit may petition for administrative upon issuance. EPA issued permit Contaminant Level Goal for Perchlorate
review subject to the requirements of 40 number V–ML–2711500031–2016–01 on in Drinking Water’’ (draft MCLG
CFR 71.11(l). If no one filed comments October 20, 2016 to Mille Lacs Approaches Report).
on the draft permit and the final permit Corporate Ventures, which became DATES: Comments must be received on
is identical to the permit as proposed, effective on November 20, 2016. EPA or before October 6, 2017.
any person may petition for issued permit numbers V–ML– ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to
administrative review of the permit only 2711500031–2016–02 and PSD–ML– Versar, Inc., no later than October 6,
to the extent that grounds for a petition 2711500031–2017–03 on July 6, 2017 to 2017 by one of the following methods:
have arisen that were not reasonably Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, which • Email: perchlorate@versar.com
foreseeable during the public comment became effective immediately upon (subject line: Perchlorate Peer Review)
period on the draft permit. For CS#5 issuance. EPA issued permit number V– • Mail: Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar
permit number V–FDL–271300066– 27139R0001–2016–01 on July 13, 2017 Center, Springfield, VA 22151 (ATTN:
2016–03, the 30-day period during to SMSC, which became effective Tracey Cowen).
which a person may seek review under immediately upon issuance. Please be advised that public
40 CFR 71.11(l) began on January 30, Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. comments are subject to release under
2017. For Treasure Island Resort & the Freedom of Information Act.
Casino permit number V–PI– Dated: August 14, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
2704900084–2012–13, the 30-day period Robert A. Kaplan,
Questions concerning the interim list of
during which a person may seek review Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5. expert peer review candidates and draft
under 40 CFR 71.11(l) began on January [FR Doc. 2017–19700 Filed 9–14–17; 8:45 am] peer review charge questions should be
31, 2017. For Grand Casino Hinckley BILLING CODE 6560–50–P directed to Versar, Inc., at 6850 Versar
permit number V–ML–2711500031– Center, Springfield, VA 22151; by email
2016–01, the 30-day period during perchlorate@versar.com (subject line:
which a person may seek review under ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Perchlorate Peer Review); or by phone:
40 CFR 71.11(1) began on October 20, AGENCY (301) 304–3121 (ask for Tracey Cowen).
2016. For Grand Casino Hinckley permit [EPA–HQ–OW–2016–0439; FRL–9967–70– SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
number V–ML–2711500031–2016–02, OW]
the 30-day period during which a I. Process of Obtaining Candidate
person may seek review under 40 CFR Request for Public Comments To Be Reviewers
71.11(1) began on July 14, 2017. For Sent to Versar, Inc., on an Interim List EPA announced a public nomination
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel permit of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Expert period from March 1, 2016, to March 31,
number V–27139R0001–2016–01, the Peer Reviewers and Draft Peer Review 2016, in the Federal Register (81 FR
30-day period during which a person Charge Questions 10617; March 1, 2016), during which
may seek review under 40 CFR 71.11(1) AGENCY: Environmental Protection members of the public were able to
began on July 14, 2017. Agency (EPA). nominate scientific experts with
Pursuant 40 CFR 124.19(2), any ACTION: Notice of request for public knowledge and experience in one or
person who filed comments on the draft comment. more of the following areas: (1)
PSD permit may file a petition for Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic
review as provided in 40 CFR 124.19. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental (PBPK), physiologically-based
Additionally, any person who failed to Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
file comments may petition for a request for public comment on an (PBPK/PD) and/or biologically based
administrative review of any permit interim list of peer review candidates dose-response (BBDR) modeling, (2)
conditions set forth in the final permit and materials that relate to the expert fetal and neonatal thyroid
decision, but only to the extent that peer review to support EPA’s Safe endocrinology (clinical and
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
those final permit conditions reflect Drinking Water Act decision making for experimental), (3) iodide homeostasis,
changes from the proposed draft permit. perchlorate. This request is one of two and (4) perchlorate toxicology and mode
For Grand Casino Hinckley permit Federal Register notices being of action or adverse outcome pathway.
number PSD–ML–2711500031–2017– published concurrently, seeking public On June 3, 2016, in the Federal Register
03, the 30-day period during which a comment on two separate sets of (81 FR 35760), EPA invited the public
person may seek review under 40 CFR materials. This notice requests to also nominate scientific experts with
124.19 began on July 14, 2017. comments to be sent to EPA’s knowledge and experience in one or
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![43362 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Notices
more of the following areas of human preparing the final MCLG Approaches EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
health risk assessment: (1) An Report, EPA will consider the peer COMMISSION
understanding of thyroid function review report as well as the written
[3046–0007]
(preferably in the sensitive life stages of public comments submitted to the
interest), (2) the importance of maternal docket. Stay the Effectiveness of the EEO–1
thyroid hormone homeostasis in each Pay Data Collection
stage of gestation, (3) hypothyroxinemia, II. Interim List of Peer Reviewers
(4) neurodevelopmental assessment Versar, Inc., is considering the AGENCY: Equal Employment
indices for young children including the following candidates for the peer review Opportunity Commission.
Bayley’s Scale, (5) the toxicity of panel. Biosketches are available through ACTION: Notice.
perchlorate, (6) epidemiological the EPA docket at http://
assessment techniques, and (7) www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. SUMMARY: The U.S. Equal Employment
statistics. EPA–HQ–OW–2016–0439). After review Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Versar, Inc., considered the and consideration of public comments announces that, until further notice,
nominated peer review candidates and and consultation with EPA’s Scientific filers subject to the EEO–1 reporting
also conducted an independent search Integrity Official, Versar, Inc., will select requirement should not submit
for scientific experts to augment the list from this list, the final list of peer aggregate data about W–2 (Box 1)
of publically-nominated candidates. reviewers, who will, collectively, best income and hours worked, which is the
Selection Process: Versar, Inc., provide expertise spanning the information required by ‘‘Component 2’’
considered and screened all candidates previously mentioned areas of of the EEO–1 report as approved on
against the selection criteria described knowledge and experience and, to the September 29, 2016. However, filers
in the March 1, 2016, and June 3, 2016, extent feasible, best provide a balance of should continue to submit data on the
Federal Register notices (81 FR 10617 perspectives. EPA will announce the ethnicity, race, and sex of workers by
and 81 FR 35760, respectively), which peer review panel meeting date, location job category (‘‘Component 1’’ of the
included the candidates being free of and registration details, along with the EEO–1 report). This is the same type of
any conflict of interest and being final list of peer reviewers selected by EEO–1 data that filers have submitted in
available to participate in-person in a Versar, Inc., at least 30 days prior to the the past.
two-day, public, peer review meeting in meeting. DATES: All EEO–1 filers should submit
the Washington, DC, area. Versar, Inc., and certify their 2017 EEO–1 reports
narrowed the list of potential reviewers Name of Nominee, Degree, Place of
Employment (Component 1 data only) by March 31,
for the second panel to 12 candidates. 2018. They should count employees for
EPA is now soliciting comments on the 1. Hugh A. Barton, Ph.D., Pfizer, Inc. purposes of this EEO–1 report during a
interim list of 12 candidates. 2. Nancy Carrasco, M.D., Yale School of ‘‘workforce snapshot period’’ between
EPA requests that the public provide Medicine October 1 and December 31, 2017.
relevant information or documentation 3. Jonathan Chevrier, Ph.D., McGill
on the experts that the contractor should FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
University Faculty of Medicine Ronald Edwards, Director, Program
consider in evaluating these candidates. 4. Claude Emond, Ph.D., University of
Once the public comments on the Research and Surveys Division, Equal
Montreal Employment Opportunity Commission,
interim list of candidates have been 5. Dale Hattis, Ph.D., George Perkins
reviewed and considered, the contractor 131 M Street NE., Room 4SW30F,
Marsh Institute, Clark University Washington, DC 20507 (202) 663–4949
will select the final list of peer 6. Judy S. LaKind, Ph.D., LaKind
reviewers. (voice) or (202) 663–7063 (TTY).
Associates, LLC Requests for this notice in an alternative
Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers: 7. Angela M. Leung, M.D., M.Sc., UCLA
Peer reviewers will be charged with format should be made to the Office of
David Geffen School of Medicine
evaluating and preparing written Communications and Legislative Affairs
8. Paul H. Lipkin, M.D., Johns Hopkins
comments on EPA’s draft MCLG at (202) 663–4191 (voice) or (202) 663–
University School of Medicine
Approaches Report. Versar, Inc., will 4494 (TTY).
9. Elizabeth N. Pearce, M.D., M.Sc.,
provide reviewers with a summary and Boston Medical Center/Boston SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
compilation of public comments on the 29, 2017, the Office of Management and
University School of Medicine
draft MCLG Approaches Report Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum 1
10. Stephen M. Roberts, Ph.D.,
submitted to EPA’s docket (ID number informing the EEOC that OMB was
University of Florida
EPA–HQ–OW–2016–0438) during the initiating a review and immediate stay
11. Joanne F. Rovet, Ph.D., The Hospital
45-day public comment period, for their of the effectiveness of a portion of the
for Sick Children (Toronto)
consideration. Reviewers will EEO–1 report that was initially
12. Craig Steinmaus, M.D., M.P.H.,
participate in a two-day meeting approved on September 29, 2016.2
University of California, Berkeley
expected to be held in the Washington, Specifically, OMB initiated a review
DC, metro area, projected to occur in III. Draft Peer Review Charge Questions and immediate stay of the portion of the
late fall of 2017 (exact date to be The draft peer review charge EEO–1 report that required the reporting
determined), to discuss the scientific questions are available through the EPA of aggregate W–2 (Box 1) income and
basis supporting these materials. docket at http://www.regulations.gov hours-worked data by employers
Following the meeting, Versar, Inc., will (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2016– (including federal contractors) with 100
provide a report to EPA, summarizing or more employees. (This is called EEO–
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
0439).
the peer reviewers’ evaluation of the
scientific and technical merit of the Dated: September 6, 2017. 1 OMB’s memorandum is available at https://
draft MCLG Approaches Report and the Michael H. Shapiro, www.reginfo.gov/public/jsp/Utilities/Review_and_
peer reviewers’ full responses to the Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Stay_Memo_for_EEOC.pdf.
2 The September 29, 2016 Notice of OMB Action
charge questions. EPA will make the Water.
was reissued on October 18, 2016. https://
final peer review report available to the [FR Doc. 2017–19702 Filed 9–14–17; 8:45 am] www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_
public (exact date to be determined). In BILLING CODE 6560–50–P nbr=201610-3046-001#
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Document Created: 2017-09-15 00:18:40
Document Modified: 2017-09-15 00:18:40
| 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 of request for public comment. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before October 6, 2017. | |
| Contact | Questions concerning the interim list of expert peer review candidates and draft peer review charge questions should be directed to Versar, Inc., at 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151; by email [email protected] (subject line: Perchlorate Peer Review); or by phone: (301) 304-3121 (ask for Tracey Cowen). | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 43361 |
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