[Federal Register: November 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 229)]
[Notices]               
[Page 72032-72033]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no08-60]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

 
Renewal of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Renewal of Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 
1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine 
Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the 
Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for 
the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction (hereafter referred 
to as the Board).
    The Board is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee 
established

[[Page 72033]]

by Section 601(c) of Title VI of Public Law 108-183. The Board provides 
review and oversight of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program, and 
makes such recommendations on modifications in the mission or 
procedures of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program as it considers 
appropriate as a result of the audits conducted under the authority of 
Section 601(c)(3)(A) of Title VI of Public Law 108-183.
    Specifically, the Board shall--
    1. Conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions under 
the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program and of decisions by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs on claims for service connection of 
radiogenic diseases;
    2. Assist the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Threat 
Reduction Agency in communicating to veterans information on the 
mission, procedures, and evidentiary requirements of the Radiation Dose 
Reconstruction Program;
    3. Carry out such other activities with respect to the review and 
oversight of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program as the Secretary 
of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly specify; and
    4. Make recommendations on modifications to the mission and 
procedures of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Board considers 
appropriate as a result of the audits.
    The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & 
Logistics) or designee, as well as, the Department of Veterans Affairs 
may act upon the Board's advice and recommendations.
    The Board Membership shall be composed of--
    1. At least one expert in historical dose reconstruction of the 
type conducted under the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program;
    2. At least one expert in radiation health matters;
    3. At least one expert in risk communications matters;
    4. A representative of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and a 
representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
    5. At least three veterans, including at least one veteran who is a 
member of an atomic veterans group.
    Board Members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not 
full-time federal officers or employees, shall be appointed as experts 
and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. These 
individuals, serving as Special Government Employees, shall be 
appointed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense, and shall 
with the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, shall 
serve without compensation, unless otherwise authorized by the 
appointing authority.
    The Chairperson of the Board shall be selected by the sponsors, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
    The Board shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as 
necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or 
working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 
1976, and other appropriate federal regulations.
    Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of 
the chartered Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction, and 
shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Board for full 
deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no 
authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Board nor can 
they report directly to the Department of Defense or any federal 
officers or employees who are not Board members.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Jim Freeman, Deputy Committee 
Management Officer for the Department of Defense, 703-601-6128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board shall meet at the call of the 
Board's Designated Federal Officer, in consultation with the Board's 
chairperson. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to DoD policy, 
shall be a full-time or permanent part-time DoD employee, and shall be 
appointed in accordance with established DoD policies and procedures. 
The Designated Federal Officer or duly appointed Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer shall attend all committee meetings and subcommittee 
meetings.
    Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140, the public or 
interested organizations may submit written statements to the Veterans' 
Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction membership about the Board's 
mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time 
or in response to the stated agenda of planned meeting of the Veterans' 
Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction.
    All written statements shall be submitted to the Designated Federal 
Officer for the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction, and 
this individual will ensure that the written statements are provided to 
the membership for their consideration. Contact information for the 
Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction's Designated Federal 
Officer can be obtained from the GSA's FACA Database--https://
www.fido.gov/facadatabase/public.asp.
    The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150, will 
announce planned meetings of the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose 
Reconstruction. The Designated Federal Officer, at that time, may 
provide additional guidance on the submission of written statements 
that are in response to the stated agenda for the planned meeting in 
question.

    Dated: November 19, 2008.
Patricia L. Toppings,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. E8-28148 Filed 11-25-08; 8:45 am]

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