Lower Manhattan proposal coordination emails, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Survey released some data early on about the alkalinity of the dust after the towers’ collapse; EPA apparently did not act or comment upon this information.

DOH proposal - Interagency Task Force DOH is developing a proposal for a task force of City agencies to coordinate activities in lower Manhattan, relating to inspection of air/dust in buildings and enforcement of proper cleaning protocols. Complaints, findings, and response activities would be tracked. Agencies, in coordination with DEP, would establish procedures for each type of complaint. A major advertising campaign (TV/radio ads, press releases, lunchtime seminars for office workers, regular evening meetings for residents) would inform and educate the public about City response activities. A hotline would be established for residents, landlords, and commercial tenants, and a DOH effort would educate doctors and hospitals about symptoms of exposures.

DDC proposal - Community Liaison Office DDC has drafted a brief scope of work for a FEMA-funded community liaison office to communicating work schedules and disseminate information about recovery/rebuilding activities in lower Manhattan. The scope is modeled on the Wall Street water main project, which involved a consultant coordinating activities around the replacement of water mains throughout the financial district and received positive feedback from the Downtown alliance and area businesses. Non-technical personal would be available 24-hours to receive complaints/inquiries; disseminate information over the internet, a daily-updated listserv message, and community meetings; and be in the field to assess conditions and monitor work sites.

DOT proposal - OEM Hotline Andy Salkin of DOT is compiling a list of resource information for an OEM hotline. The idea is to use a contract DOT already has with a PR firm to get the hotline up quickly and would involve creation of a website and a call center. Resource information compiled includes info on visiting Ground Zero, public health concerns, donations/volimteering, transportation information, utility/construction concerns, family/victim services, unemployment and legal services, business assistance, resident concerns, and agency phone numbers. It is a good foundation for a list of resources for frequently asked questions and should be expanded further.

MOEC is co-chair of FEMA Environmental Review Subcommittee FEMA has organized an environmental planning and review subcommittee of the Federal Task Force to rebuild NYC. Alessandra Sumowicz of MOEC serves as FEMA’s co chair of the subcommittee, and MOEC has been coordinating participation of all City agencies. As the subcommittee considers environmental review at various levels of government, the question has arisen of how to ensure that the various lead agencies use consistent assumptions and environmental data and how to share this data among themselves and the public.

Council resolution calling for coordination Council Members Gerson and Gennaro have drafted a resolution calling upon the Mayor to establish a new agency or delegate an existing one to coordinate WTC clean-up efforts for. purposes of environmental safety. We do not know if it has been introduced.

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