Kansas recommended for biodefense lab

From Tribune Staff and AP Reports

WASHINGTON -- The government has recommended a site in Kansas for a new $450 million laboratory to study biological threats such as anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease, officials said Wednesday.

The Homeland Security Department's choice of Manhattan, in central Kansas, beat out intense competition from sites in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

Agency officials disclosed 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 an announcement will not come until later this week.

"This is great news for Manhattan, and the entire state of Kansas," said U.S. Senator Sam Brownback. "The Department of Homeland Security certainly made the correct recommendation to place the new NBAF site in Manhattan. Over the past few years, I have worked to ensure that the decision-makers were aware of the numerous reasons why Kansas would be the best home for NBAF. Kansas stands ready to accelerate our nation's animal disease research efforts, and we clearly have the expertise and assets to get results. I plan to work with my colleagues on the Appropriations committee to ensure continued funding for this project because this mission is critically important. This is a great win for Kansas."

Brownback met with Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security Admiral Jay Cohen and Agro Defense Facility selection committee earlier this year. During the meeting, Brownback encouraged Cohen to name Manhattan as the site for the new NBAF.

The choice is not final until sometime after a 30-day period for comments on the decision, which could face legal challenges from losing states.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said the department would have no comment until the public announcement.

The new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would replace an aging 24-acre research complex on Plum Island, about 1.5 miles off the eastern shore of New York's Long Island. Foot-and-mouth research has been confined to the island since 1955 to avoid an accidental outbreak that could lead to the slaughter of millions of livestock. The disease does not sicken humans.

Some farm groups have expressed concern about the risks of moving the lab to the U.S. mainland and for good reason. A simulated outbreak of the disease, part of an earlier U.S. government exercise called "Crimson Sky" ended with fictional riots in the streets after the simulation's National Guardsmen were ordered to kill tens of millions of farm animals, so many that troops ran out of bullets. In the exercise, the government said it would have been forced to dig a ditch in Kansas 25 miles (40 kilometers) long to bury carcasses. In the simulation, protests broke out in some cities amid food shortages.

"It was a mess," said Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, who portrayed the president in the 2002 exercise. Now, like other lawmakers from the states under consideration, Roberts supports moving the government's new lab to his state. Manhattan, Kan., is one of five mainland locations under consideration. "It will mean jobs" and spur research and development, he says. The Bush administration acknowledged this year that accidents have happened with the virus on Plum Island.

But Homeland Security officials are convinced that the new lab can operate safely using the latest containment procedures. Kansas officials are focused on the $3.5 billion economic infusion the lab could mean for the local economy.

A draft copy of Homeland Security's ''Preferred Alternative Selection Memorandum,'' prepared by Undersecretary Jay Cohen and obtained by The Associated Press, concludes that the site on the campus of Kansas State University was chosen based on its proximity to existing biohazard research, strong community acceptance and a generous package of incentives by the state.

''The Steering Committee unanimously agreed that the Manhattan campus site is the preferred alternative and I concur with the Steering Committee's recommendation,'' Cohen says in the draft document.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said he was ''very seriously'' considering whether to challenge the decision.

''We've got a little time to prepare our appeal,'' Barbour said at a news conference.

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.

"This is a tremendous boost for our state especially given the national economic climate," said U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard). "Kansas is a world leader in animal health and disease research, and the selection of Manhattan proves we have the brightest minds and the best workers needed to carry out the goals and vision of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

"It will bring a plethora of job opportunities to Kansas workers while boosting our local economy to the tune of $1.5 billion over the next 20 years. This program will help Kansas lay the infrastructure to attract more biotechnology companies, research grants and financing, pharmaceutical businesses and other development and research companies in the animal sciences field. The fruits of this program are immense and will be felt in Kansas for decades to come."

Kansas officials mounted one of the most aggressive efforts to win the new lab, forming a special task force to lobby Homeland Security officials after Roberts, promoted its economic potential.

"Kansas State University's commitment and vision in offering its unique assets to achieve the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility's goals are to be commended," said U.S. Representative-elect Lynn Jenkins. "The research done by the capable folks at K-State will showcase to the nation the talents and resources of Kansas researchers."

The Kansas Legislature approved $105 million in bonds to buy land, upgrade roads, install a security fence and build a utility plant at the university site. The school already conducts similar research at its Biosecurity Research Institute, near the proposed site of the new lab.

Besides foot-and-mouth disease, researchers also would study African swine fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever and the Hendra and Nipah viruses.

Other finalist sites were Flora, Miss.; Athens, Ga.; Butner, N.C.; and San Antonio.

Note: Foot-and-mouth disease is an easily transmitted, rapidly spread virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals. The virus is passed through direct contact, indirect contact, as well as through the air. Although humans are not affected by the virus, humans may carry the virus from an infected animal. FMD is characterized by high fever, significant weight loss, and blisters which can progress into erosions in the mouth, feet, or teats. Other signs of FMD could include excessive salivation, decreased milk production, lameness, and serious nasal discharge. Adult animals usually recover from this disease, however production levels remain at a low level.