UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                      WASHINGTON, O.C. EQ46Q
                                     EPA-SAB-EC-89-022

Jane IS, 1989
                                                        OFFICE Q*

                                                     THE AOMIfJlSTRATOH
Honorable William K. Reilly
Administrator
U, S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D. C.  20460
      feill*
Dear
     The Science Advisory Board has conducted a series of
scientific reviews of Agency research programs that have
proven to be a highly useful means of assessing the quality
and relevance of existing research, identifying research
needs and involving the scientific community in the research
planning process.  Such reviews have also aided internal
communication within the Office of Research and Development
(ORO) and between ORD and the program offices.

     In FY 1988 the Science Advisory Board issued a compre-
hensive report on the future directions of research at EPA
entitled. Future Risk; Researchstrategiesfor the 1990s.
Former Administrator Lee Thomas agressively pursued most of
the recommendations in the report.  Also* at his request, the
SAB has established a new standing committee, the Research
Strategies Advisory Committee, which provides continuing
oversight of the implementation of those recommendations.
With the support you have already shown for such activities,
this promises to be a most effective way of monitoring and
encouraging the research program at the Agency*

     In addition to Future Risk, the SAB and its committees
released reports on research in a number of specific  areas,
including land disposal, drinking water disinfection  and
disinfection byproducts, radon mitigation, biotechnology risk
assessment, drinking water distribution systems, waste
minimization, municipal waste combustion, non-ionizing
radiation, and extrapolation modeling.  Finally, Board members
also reviewed over 100 papers published by EPA scientists  to
identify those of sufficient quality and importance to qualify
for EPA's Scientific and Technological Achievement Award,

     Based upon similar activities conducted during FY  1989,
a comparable number of reports omAgency research will  be
issued this year. p    ' ,  I"  • • ^ ", v *

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                              2 -
     The purpose of presenting this information is to inform
you that such activities have focused both the SAB's and the
Agency's thinking on research plans and needs to a degree
never before achieved through preparation and review of the
Five Year Research and Development Plan (Research outlook).
As you know, Congress has required that the Agency provide
the SAB with the opportunity to review the plan.  The Board
believes that Its extensive research program reviews fulfill
the spirit and intent of Congress for SAB oversight of the
Agency's program.  Comments on specific issues in the five
year plan. have also been addressed in individual research
program reviews.

     The Board reiterates its long-standing support of research
addressing problems beyond the immediate regulatory needs of
the Agency.

                            Sincerely,
                            Raymond C. Loehr
                            Chairman, Executive Committee
                            Science Advisory Board

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