The Bush administration usually waits until Fridays to make big announcements—and last week was no exception. On June 20, the Department of Homeland Security issued the long-awaited draft environmental impact statement for the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility, a key document in deciding where the federal disease research lab will be located.
Butner is one of six potential sites for the NBAF, which will study some of the world’s most contagious and virulent diseases, including some that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Other contenders include San Antonio, Texas; Flora, Miss.; Athens, Ga., Manhattan, Kan.; and Plum Island, N.Y., the current site of the lab.
The 1,000-page report includes analysis of the area’s geology, soils, environment and cultural resources, in addition to documents pertaining to health and safety. The N.C. Consortium, which includes representatives from the academic, biotech, economic development and agriculture interests, is lobbying Homeland Security to land the site in Butner.
There has been intense opposition to the NBAF from citizens in Granville, Durham and Wake counties. They are concerned about potential environmental hazards and health and safety issues, particularly for the 7,000 people living nearby in federal and state correctional centers, psychiatric hospitals and group facilities for those with developmental disabilities.
The 60-day comment period on the draft EIS begins June 27. Homeland Security will also hold public meetings during this time, although the date and location has not been announced. The draft is posted at www.indyweek.com. More information is also available through Homeland Security’s Web site, www.dhs.gov/nbaf
Comments can be submitted orally or in writing at the meeting, or by phone, fax or mail.
Toll-free fax: 1-866-508-6223
Toll-free phone: 1-866-501-6223
Mail: U.S. Department of Homeland Security c/o James V. Johnson, Mail Stop #2100 245 Murray Lane SW, Building 410 Washington, D.C. 20528
The documents are available in PDF form. They are large files, so they may take time to download.
- Executive Summary (1.3 MB)
- Description of the Proposed Action and Action Alternatives (12.7 MB)
- Affected Environment and Consequences (18.1 MB)
- Health and Safety (4.4 MB)
- Mitigation (13.9 MB)
- Geology and Soils (4.9 MB)
- Cultural Resources (4.7 MB)
- Appendix A: Federal Register Notices (701.6 KB)
- Appendix C: Socioeconomics Tables (918.8 KB)
- Appendix E: Accidents Methodology (6.7 MB)
For more information, go to DHS Web site, www.dhs.gov/xres/labs/editorial_0762.shtm and click on “Environmental Impact Statement.”
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