EPA Clean-up Initiative meeting notes, May 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

5/16/02Cleaii-iiDliiitiative

1. Conversation with Kathy Callahan

Nadler’s people reviewing scope. Want to have community input, which will delay Program by about a week (Jane Kenny in DC has to decide). Wants Chris to talk to Nadler.

2. Wants to know if the eight contractors can come through one consultant to the HOTLINE (Data processing purposes). We have gone back and said four contractors are acceptable

3. City Law Department wants testing before anything is done. They have to be made aware that this is an EPA program with the City as the procurement conduit for FEMA reimbursement purposes.

I raised the issue that if we handled it with testing first in all instances, FEMA might balk at paying for a massive clean-up effort if testing only proved everything is fine.

They also have security concerns. I informed them that EPA is managing the initiative and requires the occupants to be home. The issue of, if abatement is required (where the occupant can’t stay in residence) how would security be addressed. I explained that this is no different than a normal abatement project and stressed again that EPA is responsible for the program.

I stressed that this has the full support of the Administration and how imperative it is that this EPA initiative be implemented on time.

4. FEMA is in the process of writing our grants and requested three separate letters from DEP, Health and the Mayor’s Economic Development office.

I spoke to Steve Haggerty (works for Brad Gair) and told him that your letter spoke on behalf of the City and included Health and Economic Development in the text. Steve will get back to me after speaking with Brad. I stressed that we would not use the word ‘risk’ in any letters as it would defeat the purpose of creating public confidence.

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