DEP draft memo on WTC cleanup chronology, April 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

New York City Department of Environmental Protection Contributions to Post-September 11* Recovery and Rebuilding

Exterior Building Clean-Up Program • DEP performed inspections of exterior building surfaces, including the examination of roofs, facades, alleys, fire escapes and ledges for the presence of visible debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). Buildings with visible accumulations of debris were identified, and building owners and managers were directed to have the material tested and cleaned up appropriately. Follow-up inspections were performed based on owner/manager written response.

• DEP’s Exterior Clean Up Program was developed with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to clean up exterior surfaces that still had WTC debris. The Exterior Clean Up Program was initiated on 6/3/02, and is still in progress. The projected completion date is 10/31/02.

• Building owners and managers whose properties were identified as having WTC debris were sent license agreements to allow work to proceed. Three abatement contractors, chosen through the City’s procurement process, are cleaning exterior building surfaces under DEP’s direction and oversight. A third party air­ monitoring firm, also chosen through the City’s procurement process, performs air sampling during clean-up activities. The clean-up work includes installing barriers, collecting all bulk debris, HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping surfaces, and a final wash down of the included surfaces. Water collection barriers are set up when necessary. Collected water is filtered.

• To date, the DEP has not received license agreements from all building owners/managers. Staff continues to contact building owners regarding the program and return of the agreement. Orders to abate will be issued to building owners when necessary. Building owners refusing to take advantage of the program will be mandated to pay for an appropriate clean up.

• The DEP Help Center continues to take information from individuals wishing to report visible debris on 4 exterior surfaces. The Help Center is at (718) DEP-HELP and operates 7 days a week, 24-hours a day.

• DEP has inspected 1,054 buildings in and around lower Manhattan. The following are the results of these inspections; Buildings without debris on exterior surfaces 747 Buildings with exterior debris 307 Buildings cleaned by building owners and re-inspected by DEP, to date 70 License agreements received from building owners 152 Buildings cleaned by DEP contractors, to date 115

Support for EPA’s Residential Indoor Clean-Up Program • DEP worked with the EPA to facilitate procurement for the EPA’s help line for Lower Manhattan residents to request testing and cleaning of their apartments. The help line was opened on 6/3/02.

DEP has also worked with the EPA to develop scopes of work and procure contractors for the EPA’s indoor clean-up program, which is scheduled to begin on 9/3/02.

Infrastructure Improvements and Repair • DEP has worked closely with the Department of Design and Construction to investigate the condition of existing sewers to recommend replacement, repair, or rehabilitation as necessary. DDC has performed the work as per DEP requirements prior to the start of new utility or street work.

• DEP expanded the scope of work for a water main replacement project to include streets around and in the vicinity of the WTC.

DEP Activity Post Sept 11

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