The United States Army Corps of Engineers continues to support FEMA, DoD and the nation in the disaster recovery mission in New York City and at the Pentagon through the execution of USACE's emergency Support Function #3, Public Works and Engineering mission.

As of 0900 yesterday morning, 79 USACE deployed personnel from around the Corps continue to support the FEMA mission in New York City. This is a reduction from 95 from the 27 SEP update.Every Corps division is represented among the 79, as are the labs.

Fifty personnel now augment the headquarters, a reduction of ten from 27 SEP. Twenty-five of the 50 in the headquarters support role have been provided by the United States Army Reserve Command. The number of reservists is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks to support a variety of USACE requirements around the nation. Two of the 50 are 249th soldiers performing maintenance on the emergency generators supporting Pentagon recovery operations. The Emergency Support Team mission is complete.

Disaster Field Offices are at Pier 90, Manhattan, NY, and at Arlington, VA. Current USACE missions in New York City include debris removal planning, dredging, and structural safety assessment and technical assistance.

One area that has been neglected for recognition is the contribution made to this mission by approximately 44 USACE personnel supporting the Deployable Tactical Operations System and Logistics Primary Response Team. These personnel came to New York City from as far away as Seattle. 34 personnel were involved with transporting, positioning, issuing, operating and maintaining the two Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) and two Deployable Tactical Operations Centers (DTOCs) that responded to this crisis in the early hours of the mission. The RRVs and DTOCs formed the backbone of the communications system supporting the New York Fire Department and FEMA around Ground Zero during recovery operations. The fire department lost many of their communications vehicles in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, and relied heavily on the DTOS and its supporting personnel for the management of critical communications. Working in two shifts, 24 hours per day, seven days a week, these outstanding men and women operated radios and telephones, and performed a myriad of other tasks to facilitate the search and rescue mission being performed by the fire department.

Ten LPRT members supported the FEMA mobilization center at multiple locations. They were responsible for receiving, issuing, inventorying and tracking all commodities coming to support FEMA.

Both RRVs have now returned to their home stations, and plans are being made for the exit strategy for the two Deployable Tactical Operations Centers.

The dredging mission is expected to conclude on 3 OCT after around-the-clock operations. The mission is around Pier Six involves dredging to facilitate barge access for debris removal. 18 personnel, four USACE and 14 contractors, are performing the mission. To date, more than 53,900 cubic yards of dredged material have been removed. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company is performing the work under a Corps contract.

More than 370 New York District employees are occupying 26 Federal Plaza again. Significant challenges still exist locally in commuting and transportation restrictions in Manhattan. NY City is rerouting some train and bus routes to ease some of the commuting difficulties. Communications continue to come back on line. Most offices have voice lines available now, and the server is scheduled to be relocated this week.

The Corps continues to work on the debris operations plan for consideration by New York City and FEMA. By New York City estimates, debris removal to date has topped more than 162,000 tons. An official estimate of total debris is 1.2 million tons. A significant new mission for the Corps is the management of contract resources at the landfill, $125 million over nine months by FEMA estimates. 21 debris specialists, up from 18 on 27 SEP, continue to be deployed to the city. Seven of the 21 are contract personnel. A plan to rotate a new team of debris specialists to the mission in mid-October is being worked.

Another significant new mission since the last update is Corps support for FEMA in the use of Corps waterborne craft to provide transportation of personnel and supplies on an as needed basis.

Three structural specialists remain in New York City to provide technical assistance to the city.