What is the NBAF project? What is the lab’s function? What research will be conducted at the NBAF? Why is Kansas pursuing this project? What advantages does Kansas have? Where is the site location? Why Manhattan? Are there safety and security issues? Why does the current facility need to be replaced? If Manhattan already has the Biosecurity Research Institute (BSL-3) facility, why do we need the NBAF? What are zoonotic diseases? Who would own the lab? What other sites are in competition? What is the timeline for the project? What is the EIS process? What opportunity will there be for public input? Who is leading Kansas' effort to attract the NBAF?
What is the NBAF project? The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is the answer to an important national challenge — to ensure public health and the safety and security of our national food supply. NBAF will be a $451 million, 500,000-square-foot facility — one of the largest federal research facilities in the country and the largest in the Midwest. It will provide integrated research, response, and diagnostic capabilities to protect animal and public health. NBAF will replace an aging federal facility located at Plum Island, New York.
What is the lab's function? As a "Biosafety Level 4" Lab, NBAF will provide the nation with integrated research and response capabilities to protect animal and public health. The facility will also enhance the nation's capability to protect livestock and the livestock industry from both naturally occurring and intentionally introduced disease threats. NBAF willl conduct research on emerging zoonotic and animal diseases such as avian flu, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome, and Nipah and Hendra viruses. The NBAF mission includes the development of vaccine countermeasures for foreign animal diseases and development of advanced test and evaluation capabilities.
What research will be conducted at the NBAF? NBAF will research biological threats that affect human, zoonotic, and foreign animal diseases. Researchers from three government departments will conduct microbiological tests, and develop vaccines and therapeutics (the same testing that is done in private sectors) to prevent and help combat these diseases.
Why is Kansas pursuing this project? This is a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for a state that values agriculture. In fact, nearly 20% of Kansans are employed in agriculture, so there is a vested interest in protecting the safety of the food supply. NBAF will create jobs, stimulate the state's economy, and secure Kansas’ position as a bioscience leader. NBAF will create up to 1,500 construction jobs and 250-350 high-paying research jobs. It will generate an estimated economic impact of $3.5 billion in its first 20 years. It will be a magnet for private biotechnology companies, professionals, and support infrastructure. It also will result in collaborative opportunities for existing universities and research institutions and will help attract more top-flight researchers to the area.
What advantages does Kansas have? Kansas is uniquely qualified for NBAF because of its location and because it already has the right kind of scientific assets and expertise in place, which can be applied immediately. Kansas has long-standing expertise in medicine, veterinary sciences, and research. Specifically, KSU has nationally recognized expertise in zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases, and livestock medicine. In addition, KSU already is home to the Biosecurity Research Institute (a BSL-3 and BSL-3(Ag) lab) and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center. NBAF research can be conducted at BRI while NBAF is being built. The proximity to the Kansas City region's Animal Health Corridor (www.kcanimalhealth.com) also is a distinctive advantage. The region is home to more than 120 animal health companies—including 37 global leaders — which employ 13,000 animal health specialists. Finally, Kansas has a history of agricultural production, with 20% of the nation's beef cows and calves and 40% of its hogs located within a 350-mile radius.
Where is the site location? Manhattan was selected as one of five finalists by the Department of Homeland Security. Located on the campus of Kansas State University, the site provides: land acquisition potential, access to the site by highways, environmental compatibility, and adequate utility infrastructure to support the site, an available local work force for skilled labor and academic research, and proximity to agricultural, academic, medical and bio science resources.
Why Manhattan? Manhattan is home to Kansas State University -- nationally recognized for its expertise and programs in zoonotic, emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, and livestock medicine. The university's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center and the newly built Biosecurity Research Institute (the nation's most modern BSL-3 agricultural facility of its kind) show that state and local communities understand the significance of this type of research and can build a large-scale Federal facility on time and on budget.
Are there safety and security issues? No. NBAF is intended to protect our nation, but the safety and security of the site itself, as well as the surrounding community, will be of paramount importance. NBAF will contain a BSL-4 lab, which will be completely self-contained and isolated from all other areas of the facility. Six existing BSL-4 facilities are currently in operation, five of these being located in large metro areas. There has never been a public exposure at a BSL-4 facility in the U.S. The facility will have a specially designed air-handling system that will prevent the release of any hazardous materials into the research space. All waste materials will be sterilized, heat treated, and/or decontaminated with disposal strictly regulated. Employees will be strictly supervised by experts in foreign animal and zoonotic diseases. All research animals will be contained entirely within the facility and treated humanely.
Why does the current facility need to be replaced? The facility at Plum Island is over 50 years old and is too small to meet the increasing research needs of DHS and other federal agencies. In addition to lack of space, Plum Island does not have BSL-4 capabilities to be able to conduct research on the latest emerging zoonotic and animal diseases.
If Manhattan already has the Biosecurity Research Institute (BSL-3) facility, why do we need the NBAF? NBAF and BRI will be complementary facilities. BRI is a 113,000 square foot facility that studies pathogens and pests that threaten the nation's animal and plant-based agricultural systems. It is the only research facility that integrates plant pathology, food safety, entomology, veterinary medicine, and molecular biology. As a BSL-4 facility, NBAF will take the research of BRI a step further. It will be a livestock capable laboratory that will work on developing countermeasures for emerging zoonotic and animal diseases such, as avian flu, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome, and Nipah and Hendra viruses. The NBAF mission includes the development of vaccine countermeasures for foreign animal diseases and development of advanced test and evaluation capabilities.
What are zoonotic diseases? Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Examples are rabies, tuberculosis, and lyme disease.
Who would own the lab? The federal government will own the facility. NBAF will support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What other sites are in competition? Following extensive reviews and site visits, in July 2007, DHS narrowed the list of potential sites from 17 to five. The finalists are Manhattan, KS; Athens, GA; San Antonio, TX; Granville County, NC; and Madison County, MS.
What is the timeline for the project? The environmental impact statement process is well underway. At the conclusion of this process, DHS will make its decision on where to locate the NBAF. That decision is anticipated in October 2008, followed by the beginning of design work in late 2008, and the start of construction in fiscal year 2010. The NBAF will be in operation by 2014.
What is the EIS process? Each site is undergoing a year-long process to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), an extremely thorough and technical review. This process is led by DHS and will consider environmental and ecological effects, as well as the overall viability of the site locations. A final site announcement is expected in October 2008 following the completion of the EIS.
What opportunity will there be for public input? In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, there are numerous opportunities for public comment and involvement during the year-long EIS process. The EIS public scoping meeting in Manhattan in August 2007 was one such opportunity. Public input during the scoping period continued through September 28, 2007, during which time people were able to submit questions and other input via phone, e-mail, or mail. A new 60-day comment period will begin when the draft EIS is released in spring 2008, and an additional round of public meetings will be held.
Who is leading Kansas' effort to attract the NBAF? Attracting the NBAF is a top priority for Gov. Sebelius and the Kansas congressional delegation. The effort is being led by the NBAF in Kansas Task Force headed by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, and former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. It is supported by the Heartland Bio Agro Consortium, a group of public and private sector partners and experts in Kansas, Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas.