UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON O C 20460
August 29, 1986
SAB-BC-96-0 29
Honorable Lee M. Thomas
OFFICE OF
TME ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
Dear Mr. Thomas:
The Science Advisory Board has initiated 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 (0RD) and
between 0RD and the program offices.
The specific research programs SAB has reviewed since April 1985
include the following:
o	FY '87 0RD Research Plan
o	Total Human Exposure
o	Risk Assessment Methodologies
o	Ground Water
o	Forest Effects
o	Dioxins
o	Biotechnology
o	Extrapolation Modeling
o	Water Quality
o	Ecological Risk Assessment
o	Alternative Hazardous Waste Control Technologies
o	Superfund Innovative Technologies Evaluation
In addition, the Science Advisory Board had scheduled reviews for the
integrated air cancer and indoor air research programs.

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The purpose of presenting this information is to inform you that
such reviews 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 research program,
Comments on specific issues in the five year plan have also been addressee
in Individual research program reviews.
Sincerely,
Norton Nelson
Chairman
Science Advisory Board

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