DEP Biweekly Reports Folder 0049, 2000-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Radiation and Pollution Prevention CAC Meeting Updating the radiation incident described in previous reports, the FBI has reviewed all the evidence available and determined that there is not any indication of criminal intent in the disposal of radioactive substances found at the Newtown Creek WPCP. There will be no criminal investigation. However, the case has been referred to the US Attorney Civil Division for review possibly leading to a civil environmental investigation. On March 21", members of my staff attended a meeting of the City-Wide Pollution Prevention CAC at 125 Worth Street. One of the agenda items related to the radiation issue. Certain concerns had been previously expressed by CAC members. We reported on the radiation incident, responded to questions, and allayed the concerns of the attendees as to the public safety issue. After the CAC requested that there be follow up discussions of the possible impact of radiation on biosolids, we advised that we were tracking the Joint National Survey currently underway by USEPA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on that specific issue. The discussion of biosolids tied in with another presentation made at the meeting. NYCDOT described its program of landscaping of natural areas along major highways and at exits and entrances of major arteries, through the land application of City biosolids. NYCDOT expressed satisfaction with its use of biosolids product, and recommended that biosolids application be extended to other uses within the City.

Settlement of Fill Material - 84th Avenue between 159th and 160th Streets; Queens Settlement of the fill material used in the vicinity of 84th Avenue and 159th Street has caused the foundations of some area homes to settle or shift and resulted in significant structural damage to several homes. On January 23, 2001 the settlement of the unstable soil caused the 8 inch water main in that intersection to fail. A section of the 8 inch water main was replaced and the main was put back in service later that day. The sewers in the area were inspected and found functioning properly and the water mains were surveyed and no other leaks were found. As a precaution the storm and sanitary sewers in 159th Street between the Grand Central Parkway Service Road and 84th Avenue (one block) were lined. In order to eliminate the potential of a failure in the existing cast iron water main in 84th Avenue, the main will be replaced with a more durable ductile iron main. The Department of Design and Construction is developing procedures to be used when the main is replaced that will minimize the impact on structures in the area affected by the unstable soil. The main will be replaced by DEP personnel.

Reservoir Operations; Hillview Reservoir The South Connecting Conduit, which had been shut down since February 21, 2001 for inspection, was put back into service Wednesday, March 14, 2001. The Catskill Aqueduct was shut down Friday and Saturday nights, March 23 and 24, 2001between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to allow the contractor's diver to take measurements in the Uptake 1 shaft. The contractor, NAB Construction will be installing a new caustic injection ring in the shaft. A number of additional dives are planned in the upcoming weeks.

Pumping Operations; Mosholu Pump Station Con Edison had scheduled a shutdown of the Mosholu Pump Station for Thursday, March 23, 2001 to work on their equipment. The shutdown was canceled at the last minute because of the inclement weather. It will be rescheduled for sometime in the near future.

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NYC-WTC 000137980