DEP memo on Lower Manhattan cleanup transition, June 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Tuesday 19 of Feb 2002, Mayor Office ->718 595 4544 Page 4 of 4

Lot^rer Manfiattar) £n\//ronmenra/ Coord/nafor Proposal DRAFT 2/18/02 - Do not circulate

• Determine how best to refute misleading data. There have been numerous instances in which misleading data regarding Lower Manhattan’s environmental safety has been publicly released, causing confusion among area residents and businesses. The eventual result has been the erosion of the public’s confidence in the ability of various government agencies to address environmental issues in Lower Manhattan. For example, an EPA . scientist, Cate Jenkins, has circulated a number of memos on EPA letterhead disputing EPA’s air quality assurances. EPA has to date not refuted her allegations, but apparently they intend to do so in the near future. N,.netheless. the City should aggressively refute this kind of misleading data as soon as it becomes public. In addition, the City should consider establishing a blue ribbon panel of health experts from institutions such as New York University, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Columbia University to comment on City data and provide feedback on the City's efforts. I • Serve as a liaison with state and federal agencies and elected officials and, as necessary, propose \ 7 legislative initiatives regarding environmental health in Lower Manhattan. \

Project Timetable

This initiative must be implemented as soon as possible. Clearly, the selection of an Environmental Coordinator is the top priority. Several candidates for this position are being considered. The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding will make the final decision regarding the Coordinator’s selection.

The Inter-Agency Task Force is currently up and running. It is working to identify further project components, assign them to relevant members, and establish timetables for completion of these tasks.

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