UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OFFICE OF
THi ADMINISTRATOR
EPA-SAB-CQN-9I-OG4
July 30, 1991
The Honorable William Reilly
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Mr- Reilly:
The Ecological Processes and Effects Committee of the Science
Advisory Board (SAB) has completed a consultation on "Biological
criteria for Water Quality" with the Office of Science and
Technology (OST) in the Office of Water. The SAB has developed
consultation as mechanism to advise the Agency on the technical
issues that should be considered in the development of regulations,
guidelines, or technical guidance before the Agency has taken a
position. A consultation is conducted under the normal FACA
requirements, which include advance notice of the public meeting in
the Federal Register.
The Committee met with the staff of OST on June 13, 1991 to
discuss technical questions related to sampling and reference sites
that could be addressed in technical guidance on biological
criteria. The OST staff and the Committee interacted in a
collegial manner, not a judgmental one. In keeping with the SAB
concept of a consultation, there was no attempt to develop a
consensus of opinion with EPA or within the Committee. However,
the Committee believes that the consultation achieved its goal by
discussing several views and priorities that EPA could consider in
developing its technical guidance and program goals. All of the
Committee's thoughts were provided directly to OST at the meeting.
There will be no formal report from the SAB as result of this
consultation nor do we expect any formal response from the Agency.
We look forward to advising the Agency in the future by
consultations as well as through more formal scientific reviews.
sincerely,
Dr. Ra^ond Loettf> Chairman
Executive Committee.
Science Advisory Board
Dr. Kenneth Diclcson, Chairman
Ecological Processes
Effect Committee
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