Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Notification of a NESHAP demolition and removal operation was not filed for the WTC. City officials stated that a written notification was not filed for WTC buildings 4, 5, and 6 because they were advised by the property owners that there was no asbestos-containing material in the above-ground structures. NYCDDC officials told us that they were advised by the Port Authority that subsequent to the WTC bombing in 1993, they initiated a program to remove asbestos­ containing materials fi-om the WTC complex. In regard to the WTC towers, the Port Authority advised the NYCDDC that one tower contained asbestos fire­ proofing up to approximately the 40* floor while the other tower did not use asbestos-containing fire-proofing. An EPA On-Scene Coordinator’s understanding was that only accessible asbestos-containing material was removed from WTC buildings 4, 5, and 6.

Although a formal notification was not filed, New York City officials told us that proper planning was ensured through the use of daily health and safety meetings. These meeting included representatives from a number of City, State, and Federal agencies, including EPA. New York City officials maintained that EPA had functional notice of NESHAP related activities through its participation at these meetings and that it was doubtful that notification would have changed the manner in which these activities were conducted.

Demolition of Damaged Buildings

In addition to WTC 1 and 2 (North and South Towers, respectively), WTC 3 (Marriott Hotel) collapsed from tower debris and WTC 7 also collapsed after burning for approximately 7 hours. The remaining three buildings in the WTC Complex - WTC 4 (South Plaza), WTC 5 (North Plaza), and WTC 6 (U.S. Customs) - were all significantly damaged. According to an EPA On-Scene Coordinator, the damaged buildings were considered in danger of collapse. The demolition of all WTC complex buildings to ground level was completed by late December 2001. WTC 4 and WTC 5 were brought down by a weight that was suspended by a cable. Use of this wrecking device required a special approval from the New York City Department of Buildings, which was granted. WTC 6 was brought down with mechanical grapplers and cutting shears. complex. Source. New York Tunes

35 Report No. 2003-P-00012

NYC-WTC_000145390