November 6, 1997

Dear Subcommittee Member:

The next meeting of the Subcommittee for Development of Ozone, Particulate Matter and Regional Haze Implementation Programs is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17 (from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Thursday, December 18 (from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.). The meeting will be held at the:

New Orleans Hilton Riverside

Poydras at the Mississippi River

New Orleans, Louisiana 70140

Telephone: 504/561-0500

The Coordination and Work Groups will hold meetings on Tuesday, December 16. More specific information on those meetings will be available via the Ozone/PM/Regional Haze bulletin board.

Hotel/Shuttle Information

A block of rooms has been secured for the meeting at the rate of $70 for a single and $105 for a double. These rates, however, do not include 11 percent State, one percent city and $2.00 occupancy taxes. Federal employees and subcommittee members whose travel expenses are being reimbursed by EPA must get approval for actual subsistence prior to traveling. Their travel authorizations must include the following statement: "Actual lodging is approved not to exceed $80.71". Please note that the block of rooms will be released on Friday, November 21, 1997. If the block of rooms fills up before that date, you will not be assured a room at the Government rate. When contacting the hotel to make reservations, please indicate that you are attending the "EPA Meeting". The hotel requires one night's deposit in order to make a reservation and their cancellation policy requires that you notify the hotel 72 hours in advance to receive a refund.

A shuttle service is provided by Airport Shuttle from the airport to the hotel and return. Vans depart from the airport every 10-15 minutes outside the baggage claim areas at a rate of $10 one way. Note that the trip to the hotel takes approximately 30-45 minutes depending on the time of day. Additionally the vans make several stops along the way. For a return trip to the airport, you need to make arrangements with the hotel one day in advance of your scheduled return.

Travel Reimbursement

As you know, FACA authorizes EPA to reimburse travel and per diem expenses upon request by Subcommittee members. However, it is EPA's policy, due to the budget constraints, not to reimburse these expenses for Subcommittee members from the business community, except

under extraordinary circumstances. While limited funding is available to cover the travel expenses of other Subcommittee members, the number and duration of future meetings will depend on the number of funding requests that we receive. See attachment for specific information on travel reimbursement.

Arrangements for non-EPA funded travel (and travel by participants from Federal Agencies) are the responsibility of the individual participants.

Meeting Attendance

Because of the growing number of Subcommittee members and in order to better manage the upcoming meeting, please call Denise Gerth at 919-54l-5550 no later than December 1, 1997 to indicate if:

1) You plan to attend

2) You are sending an alternate (and the alternate's name)

3) You will not be able to come to the meeting

This information is necessary to prepare for the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

A draft agenda will be forwarded to you as soon as it is available. The materials for discussion at the December 17-18 will be available on the OAQPS TTN bulletin board by COB December 8, 1997 and from the website (http://www.epa.gov/ttn) by December 9, 1997. I would appreciate if you would schedule your itinerary so that you will be able to stay for the entire meeting in order to participate in all of the discussions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at

919-54l-5498 or Denise Gerth at 919-54l-5550.

Sincerely,

William F. Hamilton

Designated Federal Officer

Enclosure

EPA/OAQPS/AQSSD/DGERTH/NCM RM536:(MD-15)x5550

File Name:c:\1\Gerth\dec.mtg 11/5/97

ENCLOSURE

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

Travel Authorizations: All EPA-funded travel must be authorized by this office in advance and comply with EPA's travel approval review procedures. If you are requesting travel assistance, contact JoAnn Allman at 919-54l-1815 as early as possible. Her voice mail will indicate who to contact if she is out for an extended period of time. Travel assistance requested of other EPA staff will not be authorized. JoAnn is responsible for having your travel authorizations and airline reservations prepared.

Airline Tickets: Because you are traveling as a government employee, your airline reservations will be made on the government contract carriers in order to obtain the government rate. Airline tickets can only be paid for with a Government Transportation Request (GTR) that we will issue.

Per Diem and Lodging: You will be reimbursed for per diem and lodging based on the Federal travel regulations. These rates vary from city to city. Since per diem is based on a set amount, receipts do not have to be submitted for meals. However, receipts for lodging are required, in addition to any incidental expenses over $25.00

Taxis and Limos: Taxis and limos are authorized for ground transportation to and from airports and hotels, whereas rental cars are not authorized for government travel. As a reminder, you are required to submit a receipt for expenses over $25.00 (except for food as noted above).

Travel Vouchers: At the subcommittee meeting you will be provided an envelope with: 1) a travel voucher form (signature needed only), 2) travel information form, 3) directions for voucher submittal, and 4) an envelope addressed to JoAnn Allman. Please fill out and submit the requested information in order to be reimbursed in a timely manner.

Please note that travel assistance not approved by EPA in advance and/or transportation costs that are charged to an individual's credit card will not be reimbursed by EPA.