UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                              WASHINGTON B.C. 20460

                                 December 20, 1991
                                                                      OFFICE OF
                                                                   . THE ADMINISTRATOR
                                                                 SCONCE ADVISORY BOARD
EPA-SAB-EEC-CON-92-001

The Honorable William K. Reilly
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S,W.
Washington, D.C. 20460

             Subject: Science Advisory Board Notification of a Consultation on the OSW's
             Modeling Approaches, Assumptions, and Data to be Used to the Subsurface
             Fate and Transport Model(s) for Oily Wastes.

Dear Mr. Reilly;

       On October 31 - November 1, 1991, the Environmental Engineering Committee
(EEC) of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) met with staff of the Office of Solid Waste and
conducted a consultation on EPA's modeling approaches, assumptions, and data to be used in
the subsurface fete and transport model(s) for oily wastes. Oily wastes typically include
petroleum wastes, used oil, coke and coke byproducts, and several other waste streams, such
as wood preserving wastes. 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.

       We believe that the consultation achieved its goal by discussing a number of important
issues that EPA can consider in developing its modeling approach in this area. As is our
customary practice 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,
      Raymond C. Loehr, Chairman           Richard A. Conway, Chairman
      Executive Committee                   Environmental Engineering Committee
      Science Advisory Board                 Science Advisory Board

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