Several students and community members voiced their concerns over the potential for contamination from the diseases researched at the facility to the community outside.
One community member asked how the DHS could guarantee a disease could not be released.
Johnson responded by saying the facility will have layered security, with upwards of 50 armed guards and advanced technology and rigorous training procedures.
Another student asked if the NBAF would allow students to participate in the research.
"Proximity to the university was one of the most important criteria for coming here," Johnson said. "I fully envision taking advantage of that proximity for research."
Community members' support of the project is recognized as important by the DHS, but it is not one of the factors when determining the placement of the facility, Johnson said.
Selection process for the location of the facility is a multi-faceted process with the environmental impact study as the tip of the iceberg, Folk said.
After the initial drafting of the study, another public forum will take place at each of the potential sites. The community will then have the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the draft before it is finalized in October 2008. At that time, the DHS will announce the final selection for the host city.
Construction is expected to begin sometime in the year 2010, and the facility should be operational by 2013.
Manhattan is one of only six potential sites that include Athens, Ga.; Flora, Miss.; Butner, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas; and Plum Island, N.Y. - the original site for the NBAF.
President Bush generated Demand for a new facility when he made a national security directive mandating the construction of an improved animal-disease research facility to protect against potential threats, said Larry Orluskie, senior public affairs specialist for the DHS.
The Plum Island facility was only able to perform biosafety level-three research, whereas the new facility will have the capability to conduct research on level-four diseases.
Biosecurity levels are determined by the danger the diseases contained would pose to the public if they were released.
"The difference between biosecurity level three and four is that there is some mitigation with level three," said James Stack, director of the Biosecurity Research Institute at K-State. "With biosecurity level four, options aren't available."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
jp
posted 8/30/07 @ 1:55 PM EST
This article wrongly says that the federal government will handle the cost of additional infrastructure needs to Manhattan. However if you watch the video of the question on the Manhattan Mercury web site, you will hear Mr. (Continued…)
Gary Simpson
Gary Simpson
posted 9/02/07 @ 3:33 AM EST
It is my understanding this facility will be handling severe weaponized strains of anthrax, marmot plague, ebola, smallpox, etc. I don't hear where anyone has spoken up about the threat to life in Manhattan and KState from this facility. (Continued…)
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