NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
release that "Actions speak louder than words..." Rep. Nadler said, "When it
comes to the needs of the residents and workers who have been victims of the
terrorist attack, the EPA refuses even to mouth the right words, let alone
perform any actions on indoor environments that would ensure the health and
safety of people living and working in and around Ground Zero."
(MORE)
Rep. Nadler pointed out that in a speech delivered by EPA Administrator
Christine Todd Whitman in November 2001, she acknowledged the EPA's
responsibility for cleanup of buildings contaminated in a terrorist attack.
Under the Presidential Decision Directive 62, signed by then-President
Clinton in 1998, she said, "the EPA is assigned lead responsibility for
cleaning up buildings and other sites contaminated by chemical or biological
agents as a result of an act of terrorism."
"If Administrator Whitman was so clear on the duties and responsibilities in
November 2001, why did she not enforce them two months earlier, and why does
the EPA continue to shirk its duties more than six months after the attack,"
asked Rep. Nadler.
Rep. Nadler was elected to Congress in 1992. He represents the Sth
Congressional District in New York, which includes parts of Manhattan and
Brooklyn, including the area now known as Ground Zero.
###
EPA RELEASE FOLLOWS:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Region 2
>New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
>290 Broadway - New York, New York 10007-1866
>www.epa.gov/region2
>
>
>EPA - Mary Mears. 212-637-3669
>NYC - Frank McCarton (OEM), 718-422-4888
>
>
>FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY AGENCIES ANNOUNCE ACTIONS FOR LOWER
>MANHATTAN AIR QUALITY
>
>FOR RELEASE: Monday, March 25,2002
>
>(#02114) New York, New York - Today the Environmental Protection
>Agency (EPA), along with New York City and other federal and state
>agencies, announced additional actions to address outdoor and
>indoor air quality. As part of the overall effort to continue to
>protect air quality, DEP will remove residual debris from rooftops
>and facades with EPA's guidance. OSHA will work in a coordinated
>effort with the City and EPA to ensure the safety and health of
>the workers performing this cleaning.
>
>EPA and New York City will expand the program to remove residual
>debris from rooftops and facades around the World Trade Center
>site. In addition, agencies will work to build on an indoor air
NYC-WTC_000160703
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