Letter from DEP Commissioner regarding exterior surveys, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

'71e jr J May 3, 2002

Building Owner/ Building Manager + ~BIIrlOI'~ 114 Liberty Street New York, NY 10006 Department of -~/~sL S'wl Environmental E"' —" --- ~— c~ Subject: 114 LIBERTY STREET. Protection tll9CedarSt. _ r 59-17 Junction Boulevard 212-633- 6.00 Flushing, New York x 22,9 1 1 373-51 08 Dear Sir/Madam:

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Christopher 0. Ward cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Commissioner the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has performed a series of exterior building surveys on various buildings in the vicinity of the World Trade Center (WTC). The surveys included the examination of building exteriors including building roofs, facades, setbacks, and other exterior surfaces. These Robert C. Avaltronl surveys identified locations where debris from the collapse of the WTC was still Deputy Commissioner visible. Our records indicate that visible debris accumulations were observed at the Bureau of above referenced building (the "Building"). Environmental Compliance In our previous correspondence, the Department requested an assessment and appropriate clean up of visible debris accumulations. The Department has either not received information regarding your actions to address the debris accumulations or has re-inspected your building and found that visible debris was present.

The USEPA and DEP are continuing their ongoing efforts to improve air quality in lower Manhattan, In this regard, DEP is initiating a program (the "Cleaning Program") to clean the exteriors of certain buildings in the downtown Manhattan area.

Based on visual surveys and analyses of other properties in the area, we are assuming that the debris accumulations noted on the exterior of the Building may include some amount of asbestos-containing material (ACM). DEP would like to include the Building in the Cleaning Program, and clean the facades, roofs, and other exterior surfaces so as to remove such accumulations. The work would be performed by NYSDOL licensed asbestos contractors with DEP and NYSDOL certified workers. The fees and expenses of the asbestos contractor in performing the work will be paid for by the DEP.

The work will be monitored by DEP personnel. An independent third-party air monitoring firm will also be engaged to take air samples at designated points around the perimeter of the working area. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will provide oversight for worker safety. The fees Y DEPAgTMF and expenses of DEP personnel in monitoring the work and the fees and expenses of the third-party air monitoring firm in taking and analyzing air samples will be ~y DaTBoa paid for by DEP. R~'YMENTAL ►0.0

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