A bronze plaque in the West Tower lobby of the Environmental Protection Agency's building describes EPA's mission: to protect the public from environmental hazards, enhance the quality of our natural environment, and expand our knowledge of the environment. In the 20 years since EPA was founded, that mission has steadily grown, both in complexity and in importance. So, too, the Agency's dependence on expert scientific and technical advice has grown. I believe that EPA in the 1990's, even more than in previous decades, will depend on good science. The importance of science at EPA also enhances the stature of the men and women on EPA's advisory committees. EPA cannot accomplish its mission without our advisory committees. In addition to drawing upon the talents and commitments of EPA's own scientists, we also depend upon independent advisory committees for expert advice, for independent perspectives, for outreach to the scientific community, and -- ultimately - for assurance that our regulatory programs have as high a degree of credibility as we can provide. I have relied heavily upon EPA's advisory committees in my first year as Administrator. I sincerely appreciate the many fine contributions of the people who have served. - Since the publication of the 1988 EPA Advisory Committees Charters, Rosters and Accomplishments brochure, we have added five new advisory committees: the Gulf of Mexico Program Policy Review Board; the International Environmental Technology Transfer Advisory Board; the National Advisory Council for Technology Transfer; the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Advisory Committee; and the Volatile Organic Chemical Equipment Leak Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Board. I look forward to the contributions of each of these new groups, as well as to the continuing support of our existing committees, as we work together to meet the environmental challenges of the 1990s. ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHARTER ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS COMMITTEES, BOARDS, PANELS, AND COUNCILS BIOTECHNOLOGY SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY. This Charter is reissued to revise the terms of the members of the Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee in accordance with GSA Regulation 101-6.1031(b). The Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee was established by the Agency on December 1, 1986 to meet the needs for specialized support for Agency consideration of biotechnology issues and to respond to the mandate for "agency based scientific advisory committees" appearing in the Office of Science and Technology Policy announcement of December 31, 1984 (49 F.R. 50905) and November 14, 1985 (50 F.R. 47174). 2. SCOPE OF ACTIVITY. The activities of the Committee will include analyzing problems, conducting reviews, holding meetings, providing reports, making recommendations, forming study groups, and other activities needed to meet the Committee's objectives, including the use of consultants as necessary. 3. The Committee will provide OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. expert scientific advice to the Administrator and Assistant Administrators concerning issues relating to risks and other effects of applications of modern biotechnology. The Committee shall provide reports and recommendations directly to the Administrator and to the Assistant Administrator(s) and will do so in a timely manner. The Committee responsibilities will include: Consideration of scientific issues referred by Program Office Directors; Comparison of case reviews to evaluate internal scientific consistency among programs; - Assessment, in participation with the Science Advisory Recommendation of issues to be referred to interagency - As appropriate, participation in review and evaluation of |