April 11, 2005

Contact: (718-595-7262)

Notice of Public Hearing on Draft Scope of Work for Preparation of a Draft EIS for The Proposed Shaft 33B to City Tunnel No. 3, Stage 2 - Manhattan Leg

NYCDEP, as lead agency in this process, has determined that the proposed Shaft 33B project is appropriate for analysis within the context of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to permit the highest level of community involvement in the environmental review process. A Draft Scope of Work (DSOW) has been prepared that sets forth the analyses and methodologies to be used in the preparation of the Draft EIS. Any member of the public may obtain a copy of the DSOW by contacting NYCDEP at the address listed at the end of this notice.

NYCDEP is proposing to improve water supply capabilities and redundancy in the area of Midtown Manhattan by constructing a vertical water supply shaft, Shaft 33B, and associated trunk water mains to supply water from City Tunnel No. 3, Stage 2, Manhattan Leg to Manhattan residents. Once constructed, the Shaft would be an unmanned, underground facility capable of conveying water from City Tunnel No. 3 to the surface distribution system.

NYCDEP has performed a site screening process to evaluate potential Shaft 33B locations and identify the preferred location for Shaft 33B at E. 59th Street and First Avenue (on the northwest corner of E. 59th Street in the sidewalk area). As a result of the screening process, three feasible locations that could possibly accommodate shaft construction in addition to the preferred site were identified. These are: E. 54th Street and Second Avenue; E. 61st Street between First and Second Avenues and E. 59th Street and Second Avenue. NYCDEP proposes that Shaft 33B be located at E. 59 th Street and First Avenue generally because the advantages of this site are more attractive and that the disadvantages are more manageable as compared with the other feasible sites.

The primary purpose of the Draft EIS is to provide a discussion of the potential environmental impacts associated with implementation of the proposed Shaft 33B project at the E. 59 th Street and First Avenue site. The three feasible alternative sites identified above will be assessed at a level of detail that allows a comparative assessment of the engineering and environmental issues related to each of the alternative sites.

A public meeting to obtain public comments on this DSOW is to be held on:

NYCDEP is inviting comments on this DSOW from other local government agencies, local public officials, and the public. The period for submitting written comments on the DSOW will remain open until May 19, 2005.

Requests for copies of the DSOW and/ or submissions of written comments regarding the DSOW should be submitted to Constance Vavilis, EIS Project Manager, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Environmental Planning and Assessment, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 11 th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373. Requests for the DSOW can also be made by telephone at 718-595-7262.