Emergency declaration letter, WTC, November 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY « • WHEREAS, on September 11,2001, an unforeseen terrorist attack resulted in the tragic destruction of the World Trade Center (“WTC”); and ■V^tHEREAS, as a result of said catastrophe, buildings in surrounding areas were damaged, if not destroyed; and WHEREAS, in the aftermath, to minimize further destruction and implications of the attack, various remediation activities were immediately instituted; and . whereas, as a follow-up to such activities performed in October and November of 2001, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (“NYCDEP”), in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) and the New York State Department of Labor (“NYSDOL”), performed site visits at buildings in the surrounding vicinity; and ' < WHFRF.AS. buildings containing debris characteristic of the debris from the impact of the collapse of the WTC were identified and remediation was commenced; and whereas, debris removal from the immediate areas of destruction in the WTC complex is nearing completion and the remaining unoccupied buildings identified as potentially contaminated must be rid of debris; and whereas, as local residents arc concerned that apartments may contain debris from the WTC catastrophe, it has been deemed necessary to establish a “call center,” to provide residents and residential building owners a means of obtaining professional contractor clean-up and testing; and WHEREAS, USEPA has determined that an expedited clean-up of buildings containing debris is in the public interest, and is necessary to ensure that the air quality of the affected area is as pure as possible; and WHEREAS, such clean-up is required to help protect against any adverse effects on air quality or public health and safety; and WHEREAS, the clean-iip process will require technical services, as well as the services of asbestos-remediation and air monitoring firms; and WHEREAS, the area designated for such clean-up shall be divided into four sectors, each requiring asbestos­ remediation and air monitoring contracts; iand ' ■ WHEREAS, funding for such clean-up will be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA"); and WHEREAS, the immediate action required cannot be met through normal procurement methods; and whereas, the aforementioned circumstances may affect the health and safety of the inhabitants of the City of New York. ■ NOW, THEREFORE, for the aforementioned reasons, pursuant to the authority conferred by Section 315 of the New York City Charter and Section 3-06 of the Procurement Policy Board Rules, I hereby determine that an emergency exists; and

York. • Dated: May 7,2002 j Lz^tzOt tA; CHIRSTOPHER O. WARD Commissioner

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