Government

Tracking NBAF: National Bio And Agro-Defense Facility Takes Shape In Kansas

In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to replace the old Plum Island Animal Disease Center off Long Island with a facility on the U.S. mainland to study Foot and Mouth Disease and other dangerous pathogens. Kansas won the job in 2008, with a site on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan.But today, more than three years later, the proposed $1.14 billion National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility faces funding obstacles, safety questions, rising costs and political fallout. For Kansas and the Midwest, the stakes couldn’t be higher.Here you’ll find coverage and updates from Harvest Public Media, KCUR and Kansas Public Media.

GAO Report Raises Questions About NBAF In Kansas

KCUR | By Stephen Koranda

Published July 27, 2009 at 11:38 AM CDT

A report from the Government Accountability Office questions how the Department of Homeland Security determined the safety of six sites for a proposed animal disease research lab. Manhattan, Kan., was selected as the site for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, or NBAF.

A draft report argues DHS used poor techniques to determine how diseases would spread if they were accidentally released.

Tom Thornton is president of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. "I don't think this jeopardizes the NBAF at all," said Thornton. "I think, if anything, it really comes down to the GAO's capability to adequately assess the very important and scrutinous work DHS conducted."

A hearing later this week will look into the report. Construction is slated to start in 2010 on the $650-million facility.