Proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility draws concern
By
WILLIAM F. WEST
The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC)
CREEDMOOR, N.C. — A federal Department of Homeland Security town hall meeting Thursday night on the possibility of locating a proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility at nearby Butner turned into a scene of a government panel facing disbelieving opponents.
As the officials spoke and tried to field questions, more than a few in the audience laughed, scoffed and held up signs saying, "Lies in progress."
The panel, led by James Johnson, the Homeland Security's director of national labs, at first had trouble responding on-point to a question about whether the list of diseases to be studied at the future germ-fighting facility could change.
"Yes or no?" an opponent shot back from the audience.
Even the moderator, Frank Stasio of National Public Radio affiliate WUNC 91.5 FM's "The State of Things," had to repeatedly press the panel.
Tammy Beckham, a U.S. Department of Agriculture expert on foreign animal diseases, said if there was a threat to the nation's agriculture and if the disease was from an animal, not a human, "then there would be a chance that we would need to look at that disease."
Butner is one of six sites being considered for the proposed $450 million lab, with a decision on a location expected by October and an opening expected in 2014.
Homeland Security and USDA officials conducted the lengthy session Thursday night in Creedmoor in response to calls from local officials and concerns from many residents.
Stasio first read questions submitted in writing.
One of them, which drew some applause, asked why "the deadly disease" plant was being put so close to the water supplies of Raleigh, Durham and other towns.
Johnson said the environmental impact on a site would be assessed.
The lab will replace an aging, smaller one at Plum Island, N.Y., where security lapses after the 2001 terrorist attacks drew scrutiny from Congress and government investigators. Johnson has noted that Plum Island remains an alternative site, after its existing facility is decommissioned.
Johnson on Thursday maintained that Plum Island for more than a half-century has been the front line for agro-defense. Some replied with facial displays and verbal remarks that they were unimpressed.
Johnson maintained "we do not do bio-weapons at Plum Island" and repeatedly stated that that is illegal.
Later, when another question again focused on the bio-weapons claim and Johnson repeated his response, someone angrily countered, "Liar!"
Stasio paused and said that, while he appreciated passionate feelings about the issue, "I actually take this a little personally because I feel a personal commitment to these folks as my guests here.
"And I really cannot stand here in good conscience and have them insulted personally," Stasio said. "I would take it personally."
Another person in the audience shot back, "This is about [National Public Radio]. It ain't about Butner."
A moment of strong applause followed after the floor was opened to questions.
That moment came when a questioner -- expressing concern about an emergency situation at the lab and the impact on the numerous mental patients and prisoners at Butner -- asked, "Where are all these people going to go?"
Johnson, saying he comes from a family with disabilities, replied that the facility, wherever built, will have to tie into a local and area evacuation plan.
"We cannot do that in a vacuum," Johnson said.
Copyright 2008 The Durham Herald Co.
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The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC)
CREEDMOOR, N.C. — A federal Department of Homeland Security town hall meeting Thursday night on the possibility of locating a proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility at nearby Butner turned into a scene of a government panel facing disbelieving opponents.
As the officials spoke and tried to field questions, more than a few in the audience laughed, scoffed and held up signs saying, "Lies in progress."
The panel, led by James Johnson, the Homeland Security's director of national labs, at first had trouble responding on-point to a question about whether the list of diseases to be studied at the future germ-fighting facility could change.
"Yes or no?" an opponent shot back from the audience.
Even the moderator, Frank Stasio of National Public Radio affiliate WUNC 91.5 FM's "The State of Things," had to repeatedly press the panel.
Tammy Beckham, a U.S. Department of Agriculture expert on foreign animal diseases, said if there was a threat to the nation's agriculture and if the disease was from an animal, not a human, "then there would be a chance that we would need to look at that disease."
Butner is one of six sites being considered for the proposed $450 million lab, with a decision on a location expected by October and an opening expected in 2014.
Homeland Security and USDA officials conducted the lengthy session Thursday night in Creedmoor in response to calls from local officials and concerns from many residents.
Stasio first read questions submitted in writing.
One of them, which drew some applause, asked why "the deadly disease" plant was being put so close to the water supplies of Raleigh, Durham and other towns.
Johnson said the environmental impact on a site would be assessed.
The lab will replace an aging, smaller one at Plum Island, N.Y., where security lapses after the 2001 terrorist attacks drew scrutiny from Congress and government investigators. Johnson has noted that Plum Island remains an alternative site, after its existing facility is decommissioned.
Johnson on Thursday maintained that Plum Island for more than a half-century has been the front line for agro-defense. Some replied with facial displays and verbal remarks that they were unimpressed.
Johnson maintained "we do not do bio-weapons at Plum Island" and repeatedly stated that that is illegal.
Later, when another question again focused on the bio-weapons claim and Johnson repeated his response, someone angrily countered, "Liar!"
Stasio paused and said that, while he appreciated passionate feelings about the issue, "I actually take this a little personally because I feel a personal commitment to these folks as my guests here.
"And I really cannot stand here in good conscience and have them insulted personally," Stasio said. "I would take it personally."
Another person in the audience shot back, "This is about [National Public Radio]. It ain't about Butner."
A moment of strong applause followed after the floor was opened to questions.
That moment came when a questioner -- expressing concern about an emergency situation at the lab and the impact on the numerous mental patients and prisoners at Butner -- asked, "Where are all these people going to go?"
Johnson, saying he comes from a family with disabilities, replied that the facility, wherever built, will have to tie into a local and area evacuation plan.
"We cannot do that in a vacuum," Johnson said.
Copyright 2008 The Durham Herald Co.
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