Draft proposal for Lower Manhattan environmental task force, February 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

*** DRAFT *** Proposal for LoAver Manhattan Environmental Task Force Tlie Mayor has asked that OEM spearhead a task force of agencies with expertise on environmental, health, and safety matters to build confidence and to coordinate public information efforts about the status of Low-^r Manhattan.

Broad Proposal The public will be most reassured when the City speaks with one \ oice about conditions in lower Manhattan. .A false perception exists that the City is not doing much on environmental matters there. OEM will lead a task force of City agencies involved with the various aspects of WTC recovery/rebuilding efforts, along the lines of the task forces for West Nile Virus Prevention/Control and the Rodent Control.

Focus/Mission This task force would primarily focus on environmental and health issues. Related lower Manhattan matters would be referred to .Andy Salkin (construction'utility/street activities) and to Josh Sirefman (economic development activities) as appropriate.

The mission of the task force would be to actively, rather than defensively • coordinate lower Manhattan em ironmental and health acti\ ities among relevant agencies • disseminate a consistent message in various forums to City agencies, other governmental entities, the press, and the public • quickly establish a hotline for all low er Manhattan environmental and health matters • serve as a clearinghouse for em ironmental monitoring data and share it with the public in terms understandable to a lay person • determine how best to refiite misleading data from EPA scientist • serve as a liaison with state and federal agencies and elected officials • inform the deputy mayors of critical issues and decisions

Public Face of the Task Force A primary goal of this effort is to reassure residents, business owners, and workers that it is safe to live and work downtown, that the City has done appropriate testing/inspecting/enforcing, and that we are aware of the activities of other governmental entities and are working with them. It seems therefore appropriate that our Deput\’ Mayor for Economic Development should be the face of this confidence-building initiative. • Kickoff event with the Mayor, Sen. Clinton, D/M Doctoroff • Follow-up pronouncements from D/M Doctoroff • Call upon commissioners of OEM, Health, DEP as ne jcssary

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