Newsday article clipping on WTC air quality, Aug 2006

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Very early on, city officials were concerned about the potential cost of 9/11-related environmental claims.

In September 2001, the city hired the accounting firm Ernst & Young to perform a risk assessment.

The firm estimated in an October report that the city faced a potential liability of more than $450 million for environmental claims and needed $2.8 billion in insurance coverage.

The long-term health concerns, in part, spurred the city to try to limit its liability starting relatively early on after the attacks.

On Oct. 15, a letter written by city lawyers and signed by Holden, the city official in charge of Ground Zero, asked the state to persuade the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for claims not covered by insurance.

"I am concerned that the construction management firms [CMs] and the city will be open to exposure years after the project based on hazardous materials claims," the letter said. "This type of exposure would bankrupt the CMs and perhaps the city."

In the five years since Sept. 11, more than 10,000 workers have filed World Trade Center-related workers' compensation claims, mostly for injuries but in some cases, deaths.

In response to Newsday's questions, the law department's Becker noted: "After 9/11, the city took reasonable steps to assess the potential for litigation against it and its contractors and to seek federal protection from the possibility of such litigation. In today's very litigious society, a city must recognize and prepare for the risks of possible litigation."

CONTRADICTIONS IN THE AIR

SEPT. 19, 2001

"I am glad to reassure the people of New York and Washington, D.C., that their air is safe to breathe and their water is safe to drink." - Christie Whitman, U.S. EPA administrator

OCT. 6, 2001 The Mayor's Office is under pressure from building owners and business owners in the red zone to open more of the city to occupancy. According to OEM, some city blocks north and south of ground zero are suitable for reoccupancy. DEP believes the air quality at those locations is not yet suitable for reoccupancy.

-Memo from Associate Commissioner Kelly McKinny

POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL EDITORIAL

Sunday, August 27, 2006 Resort plan needs changes

The state comptroller is the latest to lend credence to those opposing a massive resort project in the Catskills. The future of the Belleayre ski resort area in Ulster County is far too important to ignore the findings. In fact, Comptroller Alan Hevesi has provided ample ammunition to those, including U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D- Hurley, who are pushing for a substantially scaled-back version of development. Land owner Dean Gitter has broad plans for nearly 2,000 acres near the ski center. He wants to build two golf courses, five restaurants, a conference center, two spas, a large hotel and many other facilities. The $240 million development would essentially surround the northern Ulster ski facility, which is owned and operated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. 4

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