FR 2021-01206

The document outlines a notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding a virtual meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Executive Committee scheduled for January 27, 2021. This meeting, taking place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. via videoconference, will focus on reviewing draft reports related to Homeland Security and Safe and Sustainable Water Resources. Members of the public who wish to attend must register by January 26, and additional opportunities for engagement, including providing comments or requesting a draft agenda, are also set for that deadline.

General Summary

The EPA's notice communicates the logistics for an upcoming virtual meeting, including the date, time, and process for registration and participation. The meeting's main purpose is to deliberate on draft reports from specific subcommittees. This gathering is part of the BOSC's role in advising on the EPA's research programs.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several notable issues within the document that should be considered:

1. Lack of Cost Information: The document does not mention the costs associated with hosting the virtual meeting. This omission makes it challenging to evaluate whether resources are used efficiently or if there might be unnecessary expenditures involved.

2. Short Notice: It is mentioned that the meeting is announced with less than 15 days' notice due to unforeseen circumstances. However, there is no clear explanation of what these circumstances were, leaving the rationale for the short notice somewhat vague.

3. Potential Need for Follow-Up: There is a possibility of a follow-up meeting on February 11 if it is necessary to complete the review of the draft reports. This contingency suggests that additional resources could be required, but the document does not elaborate on what would necessitate this second meeting.

4. Use of Acronyms: Several acronyms, such as BOSC, EC, and ORD, are used throughout the document without prior explanation. This could lead to confusion among readers who might not be familiar with these terms, indicating a need for initial definitions.

5. Comment Submission Anonymity: The document includes a note regarding the non-anonymous nature of email comment submissions, but this may not be clearly understood by all readers. More explicit information would be beneficial to ensure transparency.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, the document impacts any individuals or organizations interested in participating in or influencing EPA's research and development agenda. The notice offers a public platform for voices to be heard concerning environmental research topics. However, the compressed timeline for engaging with the meeting might limit participation for some stakeholders.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For those directly involved or interested in the development of Homeland Security and Safe and Sustainable Water Resources programs, this meeting represents a crucial opportunity to influence policy and program direction. The concerns around short notice and potential resource implications could negatively impact stakeholders who require more time to organize their thoughts or gather necessary materials for presentation. Conversely, the meeting offers a positive platform for experts and organizations to contribute meaningful insights toward the EPA's research efforts.

By addressing the various issues and providing clarifications within the notice, the EPA can better facilitate informed and broad-based participation in their advisory process.