Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document of the WTC attacks. EPA acknowledges thst there are lessons to be learned about how to communicate more effectively, especially in the difficult srea of risk communpeation. and and has made this a priority as i1 implements “lessons learned” from both 9/11 and the Columbia accident. EPA‘s Homeland Security Strategic Plan includes goalswhich commit EPA to use reliable information te ensure informed decision-making and > [See Appendix R | disseminate timely, quality envitonsienta! information to aff levels of government, Note 13 industry and public. CHAPTER 3 EPA’s RESPONSE TO INDOOR ENVIRONMENT CONSISTENT WITH STATUTES ANB REGULATIONS BUT MAY HAVE DELAYED NEEDED HEALTH PROTECTION Report Conclusions/Recommendations: e NYC-WTC_000145653 Ceacluston: “For indcor environment conceras resulting form the collapse of the WIC towers, EPA had the authority to act ider CERCLA but was not obligated to do so, Guidelines exist for determining whether an emergency response is warraniod: however, these guidelines are not definitive. Under the NCP, it was within EPA's discretion to defer to New York City the responsibility for responding to indoor contamination concerns. EPA's action was consistent with the FRE, which is intended to supplement loca] government response. Although EPA acted within its discretion, a 1998 Presidential directive and the more recent National Strategy for Homeland Security task EPA with taking the leadership role in cleaning up buildings and other sites contaminated by chemicat or biological agents as a result of an act of terrorism. EPA needs to work with the Department of Homeland Security and other agcacics to determine the nature and form with which the Federal government should assume a mors direct role in addressing indoor environment concerts, under what circumstances this direct role should occur, and the oversight mechanisms to be employed when focal agencies undertake such responses. In the WTC case, the delay in providing a govermment-organized and adequately monitored cleanup in Lower Manhatun may have contributed to unnecessary exposures to asbestos and other pollutants by ungrotected workers and residents.” Recommendations: That the EPA Administrator coordinate with the Departracat of Homeland Security, FEMA, and other appropriate Federal agencies, and those State and jgcal governments having jurisdiction over potential terrorist targets to : Develop protocols for determining how indoor environmental concems will be handled in large-scale disasters, to include addressing: 122 Report No. 2003-P-00012