I JJ--U t, UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
"" WASHINGTON. D C 20460
SAB-EC-86-004
NOV1"
c • ' ic i o«
TML A D V ! % ! ir> T h
The Honorable Bave Durenberger
U. S* Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
Dear Senator Durenberger:
The Executive Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency's
Science Advisory Board (SAB) has had the opportunity to review the
amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act enacted by the House of
Representatives and the Senate as they pertain to the additional scientific
review responsibilities envisioned for the SAB. The Executive Committee
Is pleased that both houses ©f the Congress have confidence In the Board
t© provide for its expanded participation In the development of drinking
water regulations and standards.
SAB will strive to provide its technical evaluation prior to proposal
of maximum contaminant level (MCL) goals and national primary drinking
water regulations. Our preference is to review EPA's scientific documents
as early as possible In the regulation development process because of the
advantages of greater flexibility in addressing and resolving technical
issues before the Agency has formally proposed a regulatory decision.
In behalf of the Executive Committee I would like to convey to you
two of the operating principles that would govern the Board's implementation
of these amendments. These Include:
o The EPA has traditionally asked the SAB to provide its advice on
the scientific adequacy of documents used to assess human health
or environmental risk. The SAB concurs with this role. It prefers
to focus on Issues pertaining to scientific assessment rather
than comment on rulemaking, recognizing that the latter Involves
the weighing of nany other factors besides science. In keeping
with this approach, the SAB does not plan to evaluate EPA's
policy goals when It reviews the technical basis of maximum
contaminant levels primary drinking water regulations.
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o In addition to reviewing the scientific basis of risk assessments
for individual pollutants, the Board plans to examine general
scientific criteria used by the Agency in developing drinking water
goals mud standards, and the research needed to support this
regulatory activity.
The Board plans to carry out its scientific reviews in a timely manner,
and It IB confident that Its participation in the process for developing
drinking water goals and standards will not delay EPA In reaching decisions
In an expeditious manner.
The Science Advisory Board hopes that its Independent scientific
reviews will strengthen EPA's ability to further protect the public health
from contaminants in drinking water and Improve the Agency's capability and
credibility In scientific assessment.
Sincerely,
Norton Nelson, Chairman
Executive Committee
Science Advisory Board
cc: Lee M. Thomas
A, James Barnes
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