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ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON LABOR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


SUBJECT: Air quality issues in Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of September 11

PURPOSE: To address vital new and ongoing air quality issues in order to protect those who live, work, visit and attend school in Lower Manhattan

Assembly Hearing Room
250 Broadway
Room 1923, 19th Floor
New York, New York

Friday, April 12, 2002
10:30 AM


There are widespread concerns regarding the environmental and public health consequences of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers which caused a massive plume of ash, smoke, and debris to explode over New York City. Residents, workers, school representatives and community groups appeared at the Assembly's first hearing on November 26, 2001, to express their concerns and to recommend appropriate responses to these concerns.

Issues raised at the November hearing included the following: the adequacy of testing methods, particularly outside the perimeter of Ground Zero; the coordination of communication between the agencies conducting the testing and disseminating information; extensive health concerns for workers on site at Ground Zero; and actions taken to protect the public from the hazards of pollutants released by the months-long fire and the heavy machinery operating at the site.

The November hearing also focused on the difficulty of coordinating the efforts of Federal, State and local agencies to provide adequate responses to the concerns raised by the community. Subsequent studies and events have indicated that additional attention and direction is necessary.

Since the November hearing, these concerns have been further documented and new concerns have arisen. Doctors continue to report cases of residents, workers, students and others in the area with multiple symptoms of various chronic illnesses which may be attributable to the contamination in the air. Furthermore, ongoing air quality monitoring and studies performed by civilian scientists and physicians have indicated alarming levels of contamination inside apartments, offices, education facilities and public buildings.

To date, the Assembly has urged governmental agencies to coordinate air monitoring and reporting, and has proposed specific funding for improved air quality in schools. The Assembly has also passed legislation requiring the reduction of sulfur content in diesel fuel in order to address one prevalent source of air contamination in Lower Manhattan immediately.

This hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committees to consider any new air quality concerns in Lower Manhattan of residents, workers at Ground Zero, students, visitors and employees of businesses, and address long-standing concerns, such as: the continued uncertainty of air quality in residences in Lower Manhattan neighborhoods; the need for air monitoring, ventilation and other measures to maintain high air quality in public schools; and the importance of reducing diesel emissions from the trucks and equipment operating at Ground Zero. This hearing will also attempt to re-focus appropriate governmental agencies to ensure adequate and coordinated service to the affected community.


SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the Assembly

THOMAS P. DINAPOLI, Chair
Environmental Conservation Committee

RICHARD N. GOTTFRIED, Chair
Health Committee

CATHERINE T. NOLAN, Chair
Labor Committee


HEARING PROCESS

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. Because of time constraints, those invited to testify will speak first. Others will be provided an opportunity to speak as time permits.

Twenty copies of any prepared oral testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

Written testimony also will be accepted. A copy of the written testimony should be sent to the contact person listed below. In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in receiving testimony from all sources.

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on air quality issues in Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of September 11 are requested to complete the following reply form by April 9, 2002 and mail or fax it to:


Alex Roth, Senior Legislative Analyst
Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation
Room 520 - Capitol, Albany, New York 12248
Phone: (518) 455-4363; fax: (518) 455-5182


PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

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I plan to attend the April 12, 2002 public hearing on air quality issues in Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of September 11.

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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 20 copies of my prepared statement. I will address my remarks to the following subjects:








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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

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I would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports.

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In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.


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