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 * ------- 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 ------- |