The federal government has recommended a site in Kansas for a new $450 million laboratory, the National Bio and Agrodefense Facility (NBAF). The lab will study biological threats like anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease, congressional lawmakers and staff said Wednesday.
The Department of Homeland Security’s choice of Manhattan, Kan., beat out intense competition from other sites in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Agency officials revealed their decision to several lawmakers late Tuesday, according to lawmakers and staff familiar with the briefings. The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement won’t be made until later this week, when the agency releases an environmental impact statement. The choice won’t become final until sometime after a 30-day comment period on the decision, which could face legal challenges from losing states.
The new lab would replace an aging 24-acre research complex on Plum Island, N.Y. Foot-and-mouth disease research has been confined to the island since 1955 to avoid an accidental outbreak that could lead to the slaughter of millions of livestock. Besides foot-and-mouth disease, researchers also would study African swine fever, Classical swine fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever and the Hendra and Nipah viruses.
The lab is expected to generate about 1,500 construction jobs and a permanent payroll of $25 million to $30 million for more than 300 employees once the project is completed by 2015.
The state mounted one of the most aggressive efforts to win the new lab, forming a special task force to lobby Homeland Security officials after Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., promoted its economic potential.
Source:
Associated Press
Sam Hananel
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jmf-rVYLzqr_0u37pjHZ0ceupbWgD94RB19G0
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/12/articles/food-safety-communication/government-recommends-kansas-for-biodefense-lab/index.html