Lower Manhattan Public Information (Edelman)

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

EDC-promote economic development, support local businesses FDNY-recovery efforts, incident command NYPD-evidence collection OEM-FEMA reimbursement, MOEC-support agencies, share information, coordinate environmental review of rebuilding projects

Coordination of air quality testimony To prepare for the recent air quality hearing held by Senator Clinton and an anticipated one by the NYC Council’s Environmental Protection and Health Committees, the Mayor’s Office of City Legislative Affairs convened a group of City (DEP, DOH, FDNY, DDC, OEM), state (DEC), and federal (OSHA, EPA) agencies to coordinate testimony.

Current EPA response In response to criticism, EPA may begin taking a more active role in indoor air quality issues. An EPA scientist in Washington, 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, and we understand they have no immediate plans to do so. Furthermore, the US Geological 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/volunteering, transportation information.

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