[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17843-17845]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06038]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0154; FRL-10803-01-OCSPP]

FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Examination of Microcosm/
Mesocosm Studies for Evaluating the Effects of Atrazine on Aquatic
Plant Communities; Request for Nominations of Ad Hoc Expert Reviewers
and Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or ``Agency'') is
seeking public nominations of scientific and technical experts that EPA
can consider for service as ad hoc reviewers assisting the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel
(FIFRA SAP) with the review of the Agency's reevaluation of 11 atrazine
microcosm and mesocosm studies identified by the 2012 FIFRA SAP as
warranting further review. EPA currently anticipates selecting
approximately 8-12 ad hoc reviewers and plans to make a list of
candidates under consideration as prospective ad hoc reviewers for this
review available for public comment by late May 2023. EPA is also
announcing that a virtual public meeting of the FIFRA SAP is being
scheduled in August 2023. In July 2023, EPA plans to release the
reevaluation document submitted to the FIFRA SAP for peer review, along
with all background documents, related supporting materials and draft
charge questions provided to the FIFRA SAP. At that time, EPA will
publish a separate document in the Federal Register to announce the
availability of and solicit public comment on the draft reevaluation
document and provide instructions for submitting comments and
registering to provide oral comments at the August 2023 meeting.

DATES: The following is a chronological listing of the dates for the
specific activities that are described in more detail under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    April 24, 2023--Deadline for submitting all nominations to EPA.
    August 8, 2023--Deadline for submitting a request for special
accommodations to allow EPA time to process the request before the
meeting.
    August 22-24, 2023, from 10 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m. (ET)--
The public virtual meeting will be held via a webcast platform such as
``Zoomgov.com'' and audio teleconference, and you must register to
receive the links.

ADDRESSES: Nominations: Submit your nominations via email to the
Designated Federal Official (DFO) listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
    Special accommodations: For information on meeting access or
services for individuals with disabilities, and to request
accommodation for a disability, please contact the DFO listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the DFO, Tamue Gibson, Mission
Support Division, Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency; telephone
number:<PHONE_NUMBER> or call the FIFRA SAP main office at (202) 564-
8450; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. What action is the Agency taking?

    The Agency is seeking public nominations of scientific and
technical experts that the EPA can consider for service as ad hoc
reviewers assisting the FIFRA SAP with the review of the Agency's
reevaluation of 11 atrazine microcosm and mesocosm studies identified
by the 2012 FIFRA SAP as warranting further review. The EPA is also
announcing the scheduling of a 3-day public virtual meeting for the
FIFRA SAP to review the reevaluation document. The EPA will be
soliciting comments from the FIFRA SAP on the reanalysis document
related to 11 microcosm and mesocosm studies examining the toxicity of
atrazine to the exposed aquatic plant communities.
    This document provides instructions for submitting nominations for
ad hoc reviewers, requesting special accommodations for the public
virtual meeting, and accessing the materials provided to the FIFRA SAP.
The EPA will publish a separate document in the Federal Register in
early July 2023 to announce the availability of and solicit public
comment on the reevalation document, and to provide instructions for
submitting comments, and registering to provide oral comments.

B. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general.

C. What should I consider as I submit my nominations to EPA?

    1. Submitting Confidential Business Information (CBI). Do not
submit CBI or other sensitive information to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or email. If your nomination contains any
information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected, please
contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT to obtain
special instructions before submitting that information.
    2. Tips for preparing comments. When preparing and submitting your
comments, see Tips for Effective Comments at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Nominations for Ad Hoc Reviewers

A. What is the purpose of the FIFRA SAP?

    The FIFRA SAP serves as one of the primary scientific peer review
mechanisms of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
(OCSPP) and is structured to provide independent scientific advice,
information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides

and pesticide-related issues as to the impact of regulatory actions on
human health and the environment. The FIFRA SAP is a federal advisory
committee established in 1975 under FIFRA that operates in accordance
with requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 10).
The FIFRA SAP is composed of a permanent panel consisting of seven
members who are appointed by the EPA Administrator from nominees
provided by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science
Foundation. FIFRA established a Science Review Board consisting of at
least 60 scientists who are available to the FIFRA SAP on an ad hoc
basis to assist in reviews conducted by the FIFRA SAP. As a scientific
peer review mechanism, the FIFRA SAP provides comments, evaluations,
and recommendations to improve the effectiveness and quality of
analyses made by Agency scientists. Members of the FIFRA SAP are
scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including
training and experience, to provide expert advice and recommendation to
the Agency.

B. Why is EPA seeking nominations for ad hoc reviewers?

    As part of a broader process for developing a pool of candidates
for FIFRA SAP peer reviews, EPA is asking the public and stakeholder
communities for nominations of scientific and technical experts that
EPA can consider as prospective candidates for service as ad hoc
reviewers assisting the FIFRA SAP with the peer reviews. Any interested
person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for
consideration as prospective candidates for this review by following
the instructions provided in this document. Individuals may also self-
nominate.
    Those who are selected from the pool of prospective candidates will
be invited to attend the public meeting and to participate in the
discussion of key issues and assumptions at the meeting. In addition,
they will be asked to review and to help finalize the meeting minutes.

C. What expertise is sought for this peer review?

    Individuals nominated for this FIFRA SAP peer review, should have
expertise in one or more of the following areas: Aquatic Plant
Community Ecology; Aquatic Community Ecology; Plant Community Ecology;
Algae Community Ecology; Aquatic Plant Ecology; Aquatic Toxicity;
Ecotoxicity; Plant Toxicity; Algae Toxicity; and Mesocosm and Microcosm
Experiments. Nominees should be scientists who have sufficient
professional qualifications, including training and experience, to be
capable of providing expert comments on the scientific issues for this
review.

D. How do I make a nomination?

    By the deadline indicated under DATES, submit your nomination to
the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Each nomination
should include the following information: Contact information for the
person making the nomination; name, affiliation, and contact
information for the nominee; and the disciplinary and specific areas of
expertise of the nominee.

E. Will ad hoc reviewers be subjected to an ethics review?

    FIFRA SAP members and ad hoc reviewers are subject to the
provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the
Executive Branch at 5 CFR part 2635, conflict of interest statutes in
Title 18 of the United States Code and related regulations. In
anticipation of this requirement, prospective candidates for service on
the FIFRA SAP will be asked to submit confidential financial
information which shall fully disclose, among other financial
interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, testimonies,
and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA will evaluate
the candidates' financial disclosure information to assess whether
there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of
impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the
documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer
review) before the candidate is considered further for selection and
service on the FIFRA SAP.

F. How will EPA select the ad hoc reviewers?

    The selection of scientists to serve as ad hoc reviewers for the
FIFRA SAP is based on the function of the Panel and the expertise
needed to address the Agency's charge to the Panel. No interested
scientists shall be ineligible to serve by reason of their membership
on any other advisory committee to a federal department or Agency or
their employment by a federal department or Agency, except EPA. Other
factors considered during the selection process include availability of
the prospective candidate to fully participate in the Panel's reviews,
absence of any conflicts of interest or appearance of loss of
impartiality, independence with respect to the matters under review,
and lack of bias. Although financial conflicts of interest, the
appearance of loss of impartiality, lack of independence, and bias may
result in non-selection, the absence of such concerns does not assure
that a candidate will be selected to serve on the FIFRA SAP.
    Numerous qualified candidates are often identified for FIFRA SAP
reviews. Therefore, selection decisions involve carefully weighing a
number of factors including the candidates' areas of expertise and
professional qualifications and achieving an overall balance of
different scientific perspectives across reviewers. The Agency will
consider all nominations of prospective candidates for service as ad
hoc reviewers for the FIFRA SAP that are received on or before the date
listed in the DATES section of this document. However, final selection
of ad hoc reviewers is a discretionary function of the Agency. At this
time, EPA anticipates selecting approximately 8-12 ad hoc reviewers to
assist the FIFRA SAP in their review of the designated topic.
    The EPA plans to make a list of candidates under consideration as
prospective ad hoc reviewers for this review available for public
comment by late-May 2023. The list will be available in the docket at
https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0154) and on
the FIFRA SAP website. You may also subscribe to the following listserv
for alerts regarding this and other FIFRA SAP-related activities:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAEPAOPPT_101.T.

III. Public Virtual Meeting of the FIFRA SAP

A. What is the purpose of this public meeting?

    The focus of the 3-day public virtual meeting is to seek the FIFRA
SAP's input on the Agency's 2023 reevaluation of 11 atrazine microcosm
and mesocosm (hereafter `cosm') studies identified at the 2012 SAP
meeting as warranting further review. The Agency would like the FIFRA
SAP's feedback on its evaluation of these 11 cosm studies, their
potential inclusion or exclusion in the analysis, and if appropriate,
whether they show an effect or no effect on the aquatic plant
community.

B. Why did EPA develop this document?

    The EPA participated in several FIFRA SAP meetings related to
atrazine's impact on the environment (e.g., 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012). In
June 2012, the EPA presented the Problem Formulation for the
Environmental Fate and Ecological Risk Assessment for Atrazine to the
FIFRA SAP. That

problem formulation provided an overview of atrazine use, exposure, and
toxicity for assessing the ecological risk from atrazine use. One of
the major considerations for the 2012 FIFRA SAP was the process that
the EPA used to estimate an aquatic plant community-based concentration
equivalent-level of concern (CE-LOC). The CE-LOC is a 60-day average
concentration of atrazine that, when exceeded, presents a greater than
50 percent chance of negatively affecting the productivity, structure,
and/or function of an aquatic plant community.
    Cosm studies examining the toxicity of atrazine to aquatic plant
communities are a significant part of the process to estimate the CE-
LOC. Accordingly, from 2002 to 2016, the EPA considered over 70 cosm
studies obtained from the open literature or submitted to the EPA. The
2012 FIFRA SAP identified 11 specific cosm studies from that dataset
(Table 1, page 42-43 of the meeting report) as warranting further
review (in terms of their inclusion/exclusion in the analysis or the
effect/no effect determinations for specific measured endpoints)
because of concerns about study design or performance flaws, as well as
the interpretation of results.
    In response to the 2012 FIFRA SAP, the EPA re-evaluated the 11
specific cosm studies identified by the FIFRA SAP and presented this
re-evaluation in the 2013 ``Addendum to the Problem Formulation for the
Ecological Risk Assessment to be Conducted for the Registration Review
of Atrazine'' (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0266-0002) and the 2016 ``Refined Ecological Risk Assessment for
Atrazine.'' (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0266-0315). In conducting this 2013/2016 re-evaluation, the EPA considered
comments from the 2012 FIFRA SAP and the public. This re-evaluation did
not result in a change in the Agency's understanding or interpretation
of those 11 studies. After the issuance of the 2016 ecological risk
assessment and the 2022 ``Proposed Revisions to the Atrazine Interim
Registration Review Decision,'' the EPA received additional public
comments about the 11 studies including a reminder that the EPA had
stated in 2016 its intent to convene a FIFRA SAP meeting, along with
renewed requests to convene a FIFRA SAP meeting regarding the studies.
    The EPA is returning to the FIFRA SAP to seek feedback on the
outcome of the EPA's new 2023 evaluation regarding the inclusion of the
11 studies, and if appropriate, effect/no effect determinations for
specific measured endpoints from the studies that were identified by
the 2012 FIFRA SAP.

C. How can I access the documents submitted for review to the FIFRA
SAP?

    The EPA is planning to release the reevaluation document mentioned
previously and all background documents, related supporting materials,
and draft charge questions provided to the FIFRA SAP by early July
2023. At that time, EPA will publish a separate document in the Federal
Register to announce the availability of and solicit public comment on
the draft document and provide instructions for submitting comments and
registering to provide oral comments. These materials will also be
available in the docket through https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0154) and the FIFRA SAP website. In addition, as
additional background materials become available and are provided to
the FIFRA SAP, EPA will include those additional background documents
(e.g., FIFRA SAP members and consultants participating in this meeting
and the meeting agenda) in the docket and on the FIFRA SAP website.

D. How can I participate in the public virtual meeting?

    The public virtual meeting will be held via a webcast platform such
as ``Zoomgov.com'' and audio teleconference. You must register online
to receive the webcast meeting link and audio teleconference
information. Please follow the registration instructions that will be
announced on the FIFRA SAP website in July 2023. You may subscribe to
the following listserv for alerts regarding this and other FIFRA SAP-
related activities: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAEPAOPPT_101.T.
    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 10; 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.; 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.

    Dated: March 20, 2023.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-06038 Filed 3-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register: January 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 9)]
[
Notices]
[Page 1721-1722]
[DOCID:fr16ja07-50]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project Nos. 12606-000, 2545-091]

Post Falls Hydroelectric Project, Spokane River Developments
Project, Avista Corporation Spokane, WA; Notice of Intent To Hold a
Public Meeting To Discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
the Spokane River Developments and Post Falls Hydroelectric Projects

January 9, 2007.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC)
regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)(18 CFR
Part 380 [FERC Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897]) the Office of Energy
Projects staff (staff) reviewed the applications for New Major Licenses
for the Spokane River Developments and Post Falls Project Hydroelectric
Projects. Staff prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)
for the projects which are located on the Spokane River, Washington.
    The DEIS contains staff's analysis of the potential environmental
effects of the projects and concludes that licensing the projects, with
staff's recommended measures, would not constitute a major federal
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
Copies of the DEIS have been sent to Federal, State, and local
agencies; public interest groups; and individuals on the Commission's
mailing list.
    A copy of the DEIS is available for review at the Commission's
Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at
http://www.ferc.gov using the ``e-Library'' link. Enter the docket

number (P-2545) or (P-12606), to access the document. For assistance,
contact FERC Online Support at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll-free
at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY, contact<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Comments should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426. All comments must be filed by March 6, 2007, and should
reference Project Nos. 2545-091 and 12606-000. Comments may be filed
electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission
strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii)
and instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov

under the eLibrary link.
    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, the public
is invited to attend one or both meetings that will be held in Spokane,
Washington to receive comments on the draft EIS. Both meetings are open
to anyone who would like to provide comments. The meeting format will
be the same for either meeting. The meetings will be recorded by a
court reporter, and all statements (verbal and written) will become
part of the Commission's public record for the project. The time and
location of the meetings are as follows:
    Date: February 8, 2007.
    Times: Morning Meeting 9 a.m.--12 noon (PST); Evening Meeting 6
p.m.--9 p.m.
    Place: Doubletree Spokane City Center Hotel, Ballrooms A/B.
    Address: 322 North Spokane Falls Court, Spokane, Washington.
    Telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    For Further Information Contact: John Blair at<PHONE_NUMBER> or at

<EMAIL_ADDRESS>

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-443 Filed 1-12-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


Rulemaking for GHG Emissions from New EGUs
Meeting with AES Corporation Regarding Combustion Turbines
May 13, 2014

Participants

Baker Botts:
Bill Bumpers
Gabe Maser

AES:
Jon Reimann
Stephen O'Kane
Angelique Oliger
Mark Miller

EPA:
Kevin Culligan, OAR
Bob Wayland, OAR
Christian Fellner, OAR
Nick Hutson, OAR
Mary Johnson, OAR
Bill Stevens, OAR