Draft EPA OIG report excerpts on WTC indoor response, Oct

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

DRAFT EXCERPTS - FOR REVIEW & DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY

for residential sampling or reoccupation issues. The Federal Response Plan assigns responsibility to the U.S. Public Health Service under ESF-8, Health and Medical Services, when state and local resources request Federal assistance for medical and public health assistance.

In addition, correspondence from the Region 2 Regional Administrator indicated that in an October 9, 2001, meeting between FEMA, EPA, and New York City officials. City officials stated that they would not be requesting EPA’s assistance for residential sampling or reoccupation issues. The September 30 report also indicated that New York City would not be requesting Federal assistance for cleaning roof debris. Except for a few notations in early October, EPA Situation Reports did not address indoor air monitoring activity again until April 2002, when planning to implement an indoor cleaning program was discussed.

Multi-Agency Residential Cleanup Undertaken

In February 2002, EPA initiated a multi-agency task force on indoor contamination. The Former EPA Chief of Staff told us that EPA initiated this effort because “Over time, we saw that New York City was not prepared to handle all the issues related to indoor air and offered to support them.” Under this task force, a plan was developed in which EPA assumed the lead role for overseeing a FEMA-funded cleanup of residences in Lower Manhattan. EPA, New York City, and FEMA officials announced this plan to the public on May 8, 2002. Under this plan, residents of Lower Manhattan living south of Canal Street could request testing and cleaning of their residences, or just testing. Public registration for the indoor testing and cleaning program ended December 28, 2002.

EPA Role on Indoor Environment New York City initially took the lead role in addressing the indoor environment. This is consistent with the NCP, which allows for State or local agencies to take the lead in conducting removal or remedial actions in response to a hazardous substance release. Generally, this arrangement is outlined in a memorandum of agreement between the local agency and EPA, and includes EPA’s oversight role if the local agency is designated as the lead agency.

DRAFT EXCERPTS - FOR REVIEW & DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY

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