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EPA Announces Proposed Modeling Framework for Assessing Housatonic River Cleanup; Agency Seeks Nominations for Scientific Peer Reviewers of Modeling Framework

Release Date: 10/16/2000
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England Office today announced it has issued for peer review a document that will provide the basic framework for evaluating, through complex computer models, baseline conditions in the Housatonic River and how the river will respond based on various remediation scenarios. The modeling effort will focus exclusively on the river below the confluence of the East and West Branches.

The so-called "Modeling Framework Design" report is the first in the series of modeling documents to be reviewed by a panel of independent scientists. The report outlines EPA's proposed approach to constructing the modeling framework in the river system. EPA will consider the peer review comments and prepare a written response to comments prior to finalizing the modeling framework.

All interested parties have the opportunity to submit nominations for candidates to be considered for the peer review panel. Contact information for each scientist should be included with the submission. Nominations and comments to the peer review panel on the Modeling Framework Design must be postmarked by November 16, 2000. The public's comments are limited to an evaluation of how well the Modeling Framework Design addresses the questions in the peer review panel's charge.

Upon being formed, the peer review panel will hold a workshop in late winter or early next spring to discuss the modeling report. The workshop will be open for the public to observe and there will be an opportunity for the public to provide oral comments.

EPA has retained a consulting firm, the Marasco Newton Group in Virginia, to independently administer the peer review process, including selection of the peer review panel.

To nominate a peer reviewer, comment on the report, or request information, contact: Housatonic Peer Review, c/o Marasco Newton Group, 2801 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22201.

Comments and nominations also may be submitted by facsimile at (703) 525-3712, or e-mail at . For technical and logistical questions about the peer review process, contact Marasco Newton Group, Housatonic Peer Review toll-free line at (866) 689-7968; or by facsimile at (703) 525-3712; or e-mail at housatonic@marasconewton.com.

Information on the peer review process as well as other information on the site can be found on the EPA's web site at: www.epa.gov/region01/ge. In addition, materials are available for review at the following locations: housatonic@marasconewton.com

• Berkshire County Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
• Lenox Public Library, 18 Main Street, Lenox, MA
• Simon's Rock College of Bard, 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA
• Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission, 10 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA
• Berkshire Athenaeum Public Library, 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA . Housatonic Valley Association, 150 Kent Road, Cornwall Bridge, CT
• Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South Street, Litchfield, CT . Kent Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent, CT
• Cornwall Library, Pine Street, Cornwall, CT