Draft report excerpt on WTC demolition and debris removal, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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Excerpts from Draft Report

Qualification Regarding Our Observations and Conclusions The demolition and debris removal at the World Trade Center site presented an unprecedented situation and the standard government contract procedures that would be used in a normal situation were modified to deal with the unprecedented situation. The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) was responsible for demolition and debris removal at the site. NYCDDC entered into awarded four oral contracts with four construction management companies for demolition and removal.? as well as-a contract for wWetting and misting operations at the site was subcontracted under these contracts. As stated above, the standard procedures for government contracts were modified to deal with the situation. A scope of work was not issued as there was no time for stendard planning in this circumstance. Instead, meetings were held every day afQiOP a.m. to determine the work to be done and verbal directions / were issued to the construction managers concerning the work to be done for the day. New York City officials would then would work with the construction managers at the site to try to insure that the work was accomplished. Another meeting was held at 5:00 p.m. to determine the progress that had been made that day and to assist in planning work for the next day. At both meetings, minutes of the previous meeting would be provided so the meeting participants could review the taskings from the previous meeting to aid in dealing with the issues for the current meeting.We contacted an44YCDDC official about demolition-and debris removal operations at tile site and requested copies of the statements of work for these contracts in order to determine what, if any, Asbestos NESHAP work practices -were required by these oentracts. Although we made multiple requests, we were not provided with copies of these statements of work. Accordingly, our review and eonolusions were limited since we-were unable to review these key documents.

TLANNING CONCERNING ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALSNESHAP Notification RequiFements Not Followed An NYCDDC official told us that the Port Authority had removed accessible asbestos-containing material fi~om the WTC buildings prior to September 11. There was no asbestos containing-material in WTC Buildings 4,5 and 6. However, asbestos-containing material was found at the WTC site. •CilypffiCTgte' toldTisThafthe City’s AsbestO5~€OiitiOl i ulcs klitl iluL ctpply vf 9 4ho omorgoncy 3ttnation.i^Vhile EPA and New York State asbestos NESHAP regulations require that a notification be filed even in emergency situations-^Af 3 J.

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