DEP draft press release review, July 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection today announced that the Exterior Building Cleanup Program in Lower Manhattan has met with considerable early success. Begun on June 7 with significant support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this effort has shown mostly mi' imal presence of asbestos and other contaminants from World Trade Center debris on the roofs and exteriors of buildings in the downtown area.

The Exterior Building Cleanup Program is part of a federal, state and local government effort to reassure the public that air quality in lower Manhattan is, and will continue to be, safe for residents, workers and V.sitors. Commissioner Ward said, “By instituting progressive initiatives such as th Exterior Buiiding Cleanup Program, we are working to promote public confidence Caid help foster the resurgence of Lower Manhattan as a residential and business community. Throughout the clean-up process, we have been able to proceed with the unwavering support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”

The Exterior Building Cleanup Program is entirely funded by a $10.1 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the FEMA/State of New York Public Assistance Program. President Bush authorized FEMA to pay the full cost of the clean­ up program following the declaration of disaster in Lower Manhattan after September 11*. FEMA is also funding the EPA’s interior clean-up of re‘'idential apartments in Lower Manhattan.

“Our aim is a safe and secure environment in lower Manhattan for the millions of residents, workers and visitors who spend time there,” said FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh. “Supporting the city’s efforts to reduce and eliminate any possible harmful effects caused by the continued prese-’-e of this material is FEMA’s goal.”

Under the Exterior Building Cleanup Program, building owners whose properties have been identified as having World Trade Center debris are eligible to have the debris removed by licensed asbestos contractors at no cost. To date, more than 1,000 buildings

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