November 20, 1997

EPA-SAB-RAC-CON-98-001

Honorable Carol M. Browner
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460

              Subj ect:       Notification of a Consultation on Alternative Approaches for
                           Disposal of Federal Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes

Dear Ms. Browner:

       The Radiation Advisory Committee (RAC) of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) met on
November 18,  1997, in part to conduct a consultation with staff from the Office of Radiation and
Indoor Air (ORIA) on the Center for Waste Management's thoughts and early analysis on
alternative approaches for disposal of Federal Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes and to solicit
SAB/RAC feedback on the alternative approaches. The SAB has developed the consultation as a
mechanism to advise the Agency on 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 requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
which include advance notice of the public meeting in the Federal Register.

       As is our customary practice, there will be no formal report from the SAB as a result of
this consultation, nor do we expect any formal response from the Agency. However, the
Committee looks forward to the opportunity of conducting a formal review of the proposed
approaches selected for disposal of Federal low-activity radioactive wastes in the future.

                                        Sincerely,
                                               /signed/
                                        Dr.Joan Daisey, Chair
                                        Executive Committee
                                               /signed/
                                        Dr. James E. Watson, Jr.
                                        Chair, Radiation Advisory Committee

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