DEP Commissioner memo on WTC site debris assessment, March 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

SO MEMORANDUM

Department of Environmental Protection TO: Stuart Erdfarb, P.E. Agency Chief Contracting Officer S9-17 Junction Boulevard Corona, New York 11368-5107 FROM: Robert C. Avaltroni Deputy Commissioner

JoelA. Miele Sr., P.E. DATE: March 18,2002 Commissioner SUBJECT: Exterior Remediation in WTC Vicinity

In conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the N. Y.S. Department of Labor, this agency performed site visits at buildings in the Robert C. Avattronl Deputy Commissioner vicinity of the World Trade Center. These assessments were a follow-up to Bureau of activities performed in October and November 2001. Environmental Compliance Tel (718)5954418 Fax (718)5954422 The visual assessment disclosed that while many buildings were free of debris, others had various amounts of debris with various dispersal patterns. The majority of buildings identified with debris included isolated areas of debris specifically at the perimeter of roofs, at the base of parapet walls and in gutters. Debris was also visible on horizontal surfaces on building facades.

The observed debris was characteristic of the debris from the impact of September 11,2001. It appears to have reformed into a dense caked mass. Samples collected from these buildings indicated that some of the samples were asbestos-containing material.

This agency, in conjunction with US EPA, has determined that an expedited cleanup of approximately 250 buildings identified with debris is warranted in - j. order to protect the health and safety of the public and insure that the air quality of the affected area is as pure as possible.

It is necessary to contract the services of asbestos remediation firms and an air monitoring consultant to perform the required tasks. The immediate action required can not be met through normal procurement methods and, as a result, it is necessary that we request a Declaration of Emergency for contracting purposes. The area involved is to be divided into 3 sectors, requiring a remediation contract for each, and 1 air monitoring contract overall. The total cost is estimated at $10,019,200; funding for which is to be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Your assistance in this critical endeavor is greatly appreciated.

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NYC-WTC_000151310