WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

bluefish, and other species. Commercial fishery for striped bass has been closed altogether for striped bass due to PCB contamination. Shellfish for direct consumption is prohibited in the Harbor. Water quality in the Lower Hudson River has improved since the construction of the North River Water Pollution Control Plant.

Environmental Impacts

No surface water bodies are located at the proposed project sites. Under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. EPA has delegated to NYSDEC regulation of discharges into surface water bodies. Prior to a discharge of wastewater (industrial waste, sanitary wastewater, or stormwater), a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit must be obtained from the NYSDEC. Development will not increase the amoimt of impervious surfaces; however, a stormwater pollution prevention plan must be prepared to obtain the SPDES permit. The pollution prevention plan describes the stormwater collection system, the volume of stormwater, the rate of discharge, and the measures that are implemented to prevent pollutants from contaminating stormwater. In New York City, sanitary wastewater is mainly discharged into the municipal sewer system, which is operated by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). The NYCDEP has SPDES permits for its discharges and limits the materials that can be disposed of in the New York City sewer system. When stormwater is discharged into the combined sewers, NYCDEP permit conditions help regulate the volume and rate of stormwater discharge, the type, and the concentrations of pollutants.

Separate SPDES permits are also required for projects that disturb more than 5 acres of land at one time during construction. These construction-related SPDES permits address the issues associated with construction such as those related to dredging and filling, dewatering, and discharge, as well as stormwater and erosion control planning.

During the construction period and after the proposed structures, utilities, subways, roadways, bridges and walkways have been repaired, replaced, or restored, stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as buildings, parking lots, and sidewalks could occur. However, it is not anticipated that post-disaster stormwater runoff would be significantly different from pre-disaster conditions. Since stormwater would be managed in accordance with all federal, state, and NPDES regulations using specially designed stormwater drainage systems and detention basins, no significant impacts are anticipated. During construction and operation of the proposed facilities, no untreated wastewater would be discharged directly to surface water or groundwater. All sanitary wastewater would be discharged under appropriate permits. Dredging of sediment around piers may be necessary to facilitate equipment and materials transport although this dredging would be performed under permit conditions. For this reason, no significant impacts are expected.

3.1.3.1 FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT EO 11988

The President’s Executive Order 11988 on Floodplain Management typically requires that all Federal actions in or affecting the base floodplain be reviewed for opportunities to

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