Plum Island on the market soon
Federal officials discuss liquidation of the 840 acres with Town Board
9 comments below
Plans may be on hold to relocate its animal disease research center from Plum Island to a planned facility in Kansas, but the Department of Homeland Security is moving forward with its plan to sell the 840-acre island.
John Kelly of the U.S. General Services Administration, a federal agency handling the disposal of the controversial island, met with the Southold Town Board Tuesday to provide an update on what the agency is doing to prepare for the sale.
"We have a tremendous amount of work to do to catalog the resources on the island," said Mr. Kelly, director of GSA's property disposal division.
He explained that there are numerous environmental laws to consider -- chief among them Coastal Zone Management, Endangered Species Act and wetlands regulatory requirements -- when "decommissioning" the research facility.
The sale of the island could occur by early 2012, he said. Congress last fall dictated that the island be disposed of in a public sale, bucking the traditional transfer of federal property, which normally involves offering it first to other federal departments, and then to state, county and local municipalities.
"That was part and parcel to help offset the cost of the creation of a new facility," said Town Supervisor Scott Russell, referring to the stipulation in House Report 110-875 that proceeds of the Plum Island sale would go toward the construction of a $500 million National Bio- and Agro-Defense lab in Manhattan, Kan.
Just when the animal research center will be moved to Kansas remains uncertain.
The Government Accountability Office said this month that Homeland Security's study of the risks of moving foot-and-mouth disease research to the mainland did not effectively track the potential spread of the virus and its economic impact if it were accidentally released.
The decision is expected to delay Homeland Security's plans to break ground next year on the new NBAF lab.
Who purchases the island will depend on how the Town Board decides to zone the property, which includes historic Fort Terry and a lighthouse built in the mid-1800s.
Mr. Russell said Plum Island's focus should remain on research, specifically on alternative energy sources, such as wind and tidal power.
"I've asked [the planning department] and Planning Board to evaluate options and scenarios," Mr. Russell said, regarding zoning possibilities. "I'm still hopeful that we're going to keep it as some type of research facility that provides jobs.
"[The town's] role is critical to GSA's role in trying to evaluate the value of that island and secure the value of that island through a private sale," Mr. Russell said.
Mr. Russell said residential development on Plum Island, which sits 1 1/2 miles off Orient Point, is impractical for the town.
"We don't need a luxury island," he said. "We need research and meaningful employment."
The supervisor noted the stigma -- Hannibal Lecter derisively calls it "Anthrax Island" in the movie "Silence of the Lambs" -- that comes with being Plum Island.
"There's a long way to go to see that island have marketability beyond research -- given its existing infrastructure," he said. "It is a substantially improved island. It is not the pristine Garden of Eden some people may hope it is."
bharmon@timesreview.com
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9 comments found
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Plum Is. : 8/2/2009
I agree with those who think it should stay, as is. It provides a critical role internationally and should continue to serve it's important mission. Further, the millions spent on upgrades recently there make the notion of closing fiscally foolish. Scott
Plum Island : 7/30/2009
I am not a member of any special interest group. Let me give you a simple example of why it should be kept. A few years ago, there was a need to destroy many sheep from New England. The only incenerator rated for that purpose was on the Island. I would not to have to transport them all the way to Kansas, Also, if you look at the wind rose for the Island, the majortiy of the time it is to the open Atlanctic Ocean, and maybe Gardiners Island. What safer place is ther, maybe the secure prison we have / had on Cuba?? Lets have a real and open discussion. Don
New Facilitiy to handle FMD : 7/30/2009
http://www.porkmag.com/directories.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=7941 See here the Uk governement have realised that moving is not the answer but investment of £100million can make a difference.
New Facilitiy : 7/30/2009
You must be mad. Why move a perectly good faciitiy that has served you for years without any outbreak of disease to an area where a new facility with unknown problems in the middle of agricultural land. security is not built in the fabric but also in the people whio operate the facilities. Are all these highly trained operators who understand the importance of containment going to transfer to Kansas or anywhere else. upgrade what you have and build another level 4 facilitiy along side. Keep all your expertise where it is and all the viruses where if they do get out will not affect your agriculture.
