Charter
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHARTER
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EPA SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
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1. Committee's Official Designation (Title):
EPA Science Advisory Board
2. Authority:
This charter renews the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2. The SAB is in the public interest and supports EPA in performing its duties and responsibilities. The SAB was created in 1978 pursuant to the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), (codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365). The SAB’s charter has been renewed every two years, with the last renewal on November 7, 2007.
3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:
The SAB is identified as a scientific/technical advisory committee. The objective of the SAB is to provide independent advice and peer review to EPA's Administrator on the scientific and technical aspects of environmental issues. While the SAB reports to the EPA Administrator, certain congressional committees may ask the EPA Administrator to have the SAB address a particular issue. The SAB will review scientific issues, provide independent scientific and technical advice on EPA's major programs, and perform special assignments as requested by Agency officials.
The major objectives are to review and provide EPA advice and recommendations on:
a. The adequacy and scientific basis of any proposed criteria document, standard, limitation, or regulation under the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or any other authority of the Administrator;
b. The scientific and technical adequacy of Agency programs, guidelines, documents, methodologies, protocols, and tests;
c. New or revised scientific criteria or standards for protection of human health and the environment;
d. New information needs and the quality of Agency plans and programs for research, development and demonstration; and
e. The relative importance of various natural and anthropogenic pollution sources.
As appropriate, the SAB will consult and coordinate its work with the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis, the Scientific Advisory Panel, and other Agency’s FACA committees, including the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee and the Office of Research Development’s Board of Scientific Counselors.
4. Description of Committees Duties:
The duties of the SAB are solely advisory in nature.
5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:
The SAB will report its advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator.
6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:
EPA will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within EPA, this support will be provided by the Office of the Administrator.
7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:
The estimated annual operating cost of the SAB is $3,400,000 which includes 16.0 person-years of support.
8. Designated Federal Officer:
The SAB Staff Director will appoint full-time employees of EPA as the Designated Federal Officers (DFO) for the SAB and its committees and panels. A DFO (or a designatee) will be present at all meetings. The DFO will approve the meeting agenda in advance and ensure that each meeting is conducted in accordance with FACA, including availability of meeting materials. The DFO has the authority to adjourn any meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so.
9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:
There will be approximately twenty to thirty (20-30) meetings of the SAB and its committees and panels each year, as needed and approved by the SAB Staff Director. Meetings may occur approximately once or twice a week or as needed and approved by the SAB Staff Director. EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate.
As required by FACA, SAB, committee and panel meetings will be open to the public unless the Administrator determines that a meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed in accordance with subsection (c) of section 552b of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the SAB, or file comments with the SAB.
10. Duration and Termination:
The SAB will be needed on a continuing basis. This charter will be in effect for two years from the date it is filed with Congress. After this two-year period, the charter may be renewed in accordance with Section 14 of FACA (5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 14).
11. Member Composition:
The SAB will be composed of about 40 members. The number of members may be adjusted as necessary to provide leadership to SAB committees and panels. Most SAB members will serve as Special Government Employees. Members will be independent experts in the fields of science, engineering, economics, and other social sciences to provide a range of expertise required to assess the scientific and technical aspects of environmental issues. In addition, the chairs of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the Advisory Council on Clean Air Compliance Analysis will be SAB members.
12. Subgroups:
EPA, in consultation with the SAB, may form committees, panels, or workgroups for any purpose consistent with this charter. Such committees, panels or workgroups may not work independently of the chartered committee and must report their recommendations and advice to the SAB for full deliberation and discussion. Most members of SAB committees, panels, and workgroups also will serve as Special Government Employees. Committees, panels, and workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the SAB and may not report directly to the Agency.
13. Recordkeeping:
The records of the committee, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the committee, shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 26, Item 2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
September 9, 2009
Agency Approval Date
November 6, 2009
Date Filed with Congress