Programmatic Environmental Assessment draft, Jan 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Proposed Action Alternative

Under the Proposed Action Alternative, federal funds would be used to support the development of awareness initiatives and strategies to protect the public, government agencies, and businesses against terrorism, technological hazards, severe weather and other natural hazards, fires and explosions.

• Physical measures such as barriers to limit vehicular access or redesigned pedestrian access to areas. Development of safeguards pertaining to open space protection, such as bridges and tuimels. • Development of Homeland Security Plans based on security questionnaires to identify the risk and develop operational systems to reduce the threat of actions against homeland security. • Initiatives developed to protect or manage ingress or egress in high-rise buildings. • Protection of designated landmarks and listed historic and archeological resources.

This category is expected to cover a broad range of public education and outreach activities, as well as plan development for managing terrorism or other acts taken against homeland security.

Hazard Identification and Mapping - This alternative would create fire and explosion hazard maps used to identify areas where high risks or vulnerability exist (measured by such factors as high visibility due to use or occupancy, high voliune public traffic, ease of accessibility, landmark preservation status, etc.). These maps would assist officials in identifying areas in need of mitigation measures to reduce the risk ©^future disasters.

Awareness and Outreach Programs - This alternative would allow for programs to educate the community on hazard reduction and prevention. Emphasis would be placed on terrorism, technological hazards, severe weather and other natural hazards, fires and explosions.

Emergency Services - This alternative would improve emergency warning and communication systems within the region and would establish alternative emergency evacuation routes.

High Rise Building Safety - This alternative would develop initiatives to improve emergency egress in high-rise buildings and also improve building resistance to severe weather such as hurricanes, northeasterly snow and rainstorms.

Landmark and Historic Resource Protection - This alternative would provide measures to protect and maintain designated landmarks and buildings listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.

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