WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Three general concerns have been expressed regarding potential damage to historic buildings:

• Many of the buildings around the WTC are covered with a layer of dust generated by the fires. This dust may have compounds that chemically react with cleaning applications and building substrate. As a result, building conservators are recommending cleaning buildings of loose particulates prior to washing them. • There may be a potential for the blast or vibrations of the to have loosened (or further loosened) decorative details on historic buildings in the area. • In the event of catastrophic variations in the water table elevation and sea level changes due to storms or hurricanes, historic buildings may be at risk because they are not anchored in bedrock.

Environmental Impacts

Section 106 review applies only if the damaged historic structures are eligible for federal funds for repair, renovation or replacement. Structures eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance funding include state and locally owned buildings and buildings owned by some non-profit entities. There are very few structures in the area where the greatest damage occurred that fit this profile. As a result, it is unlikely that any seriously damaged structure will be the subject of a Section 106 review. As a result, these buildings can most likely be restored, so the potential impacts to historic properties are minimal.

3.5.1 Archeological Resources There would be some disturbance at and below the ground surface as actions associated with repair, renovation, or replacement of damaged facilities, utilities, roadways, bridges, pedestrian walkways, parks, and sub'., ays are implemented. ■«

Environmental Impacts

Impacts to archeological resources could potentially occur as a result of subsurface reconstruction in the vicinity of the WTC. The primary measure of potential impact is the extent of disturbance beyond already disturbed areas. Excavation, grading, and general soil disturbance, for example, would be necessary to bury water, sewer, natural gas, electrical, and telephone cable lines. However, the potential for archeological resources to exist imder and immediately around the WTC is remote because the area was excavated into bedrock in order to construct the WTC. Archeological resources outside the perimeter of the WTC were probably not affected by the event or the emergency response actions that include emergency street cuts to repair or replace telecommunication, electric, gas, water, sewer or other utilities. As the emergency phase ends and planning for reconstruction begins, the Programmatic Agreement guiding Section 106 review for archeological sites requires FEMA to consult with SHPO when excavation is required when work occurs outside previously disturbed areas. The consultation will determine the level of effort necessary to identify and evaluate potential archeological resources.

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