[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14011-14012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5645]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9645-2]
Assessment of Potential Large-Scale Mining on the Bristol Bay
Watershed of Alaska: Nomination of Peer Reviewers
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Call for nominations; extension.
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SUMMARY: On February 24, 2012 EPA announced a two week period for the
public to nominate qualified experts to be considered for the external
review panel of an anticipated EPA draft report describing impacts
associated with potential large-scale mining development in the
Nushagak and Kvichak watersheds of Bristol Bay,
[[Page 14012]]
Alaska. EPA is extending the nomination period by one week, in response
to requests from stakeholders and the public.
DATES: The nomination period will be extended by one week and will end
March 16, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Nominations of potential members of the Bristol Bay
Assessment peer review panel are being accepted and evaluated by an
independent EPA contractor. Nominations are being accepted online
through an internet Web site, by U.S. Postal mail, or by an overnight/
priority mail service. Those interested in submitting nominations
online should complete the form found at http://www.versar.com/epa/bristolbaynominationform.html. Mailed nominations should be addressed
to the EPA contractor, Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield,
VA 22151, should reference Bristol Bay Nomination Form, and should
include all nominee information outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section. Mailed submissions must be received by March 16,
2012. Questions concerning the online form should be directed to the
EPA contractor, Versar, Inc., at 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA
22151; by email bcolon@versar.com (subject line: Bristol Bay Assessment
Nomination Form); or by phone: (703) 642-6727 (ask for Betzy Colon, the
Peer Review Coordinator).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information concerning
the Bristol Bay Assessment peer review panel nominations, contact Dr.
Kate Schofield, Office of Research and Development, The National Center
for Environmental Assessment. Telephone: 703-347-8533; or email:
schofield.kate@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed provides
habitat for one of the largest wild salmon populations in the world. In
February 2011, EPA began a scientific assessment of the Bristol Bay
watershed to understand how large-scale mining activities might affect
water quality and habitat. EPA will focus primarily on the Kvichak and
Nushagak River drainages, the primary areas in the watershed open to
large-scale development.
This assessment was launched in response to concerns from federally
recognized tribes and others, who petitioned the agency to evaluate
potential impacts of large-scale mining on aquatic resources. The
assessment will evaluate the potential for large-scale mining
development to have adverse effects on salmon and resident fish
populations of the Kvichak and Nushagak River drainages, and if these
effects are likely to affect wildlife and human populations in the
region. Additional information describing the assessment, progress to
date, and status can be found at: www.epa.gov/region10/bristolbay.
Expertise Sought: EPA is seeking nominations of experts to serve on
the external peer review panel for the Bristol Bay Assessment. Nominees
should possess, and demonstrate, background knowledge and experience in
one or more of the following areas: (1) Metals (particularly porphyry
copper) mining, (2) salmon fisheries biology, (3) surface, subsurface,
or watershed hydrology, (4) aquatic ecology, (5) biogeochemistry, (6)
seismology, (7) ecotoxicology, (8) wildlife ecology, and/or (9)
indigenous Alaskan cultures.
Selection Criteria: Selection criteria for members of the external
review panel include the following: (1) Demonstrated expertise through
relevant peer reviewed publications; (2) professional accomplishments,
and recognition by professional societies; (3) demonstrated ability to
work constructively and effectively in a committee setting; (4) absence
of financial conflicts of interest; (5) no actual conflicts of interest
or the appearance of bias; (6) willingness to commit adequate time for
the thorough review of the assessment report commencing in late April
2012; and (7) availability to participate in-person in a peer review
panel meeting in Anchorage, Alaska during August 2012.
Nominee Information: Any interested person or organization may
nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to the peer
review panel. Self-nominations will also be accepted. Nominations may
be submitted either online using the following URL: http://www.versar.com/epa/bristolbaynominationform.html or by mail to the EPA
contractor listed in the ADDRESSES section. The following information
should be provided on the nomination form/mail-in documentation: (1)
Contact information for the person making the nomination; (2) contact
information for the nominee; (3) the disciplinary and specific areas of
expertise of the nominee; (4) the nominee's curriculum vita; (5) and a
biographical sketch of the nominee indicating current position,
educational background, past and current research activities, and
recent service on other advisory committees or professional
organizations. Persons having questions about the nomination procedures
should contact the designated contact above.
Notification of nominees: EPA's contractor, Versar, Inc., will
notify candidates of selection or non-selection. The Contractor may add
additional experts to the list of nominees to develop a balanced panel
representing the expertise needed to fully evaluate EPA's draft
assessment report. After the peer review panel has been finalized, a
list of panel members will be posted on the project Web site at
www.epa.gov/region10/bristolbay. Compensation of non-federal peer
review panel members will be provided by EPA's contractor.
Authority: Clean Water Act Section 404.
Dated: March 2, 2012.
Darrel A. Winner,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2012-5645 Filed 3-7-12; 8:45 am]
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