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National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

The proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) would research high-consequence biological threats involving zoonotic (i.e., transmitted from animals to humans) and foreign animal diseases. It would allow basic research; diagnostic development, testing and validation; advanced countermeasure development; and training for high-consequence livestock diseases.

The new and unique government biocontainment infrastructure would:

  • integrate those aspects of public and animal health research that have been determined to be central to national security;
  • assess and research evolving bioterrorism threats over the next five decades; and
  • enable the Departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture to fulfill their related homeland defense research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) responsibilities.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002, recognizing that protecting U.S. agriculture is a critical element of homeland security, transferred the current research facility (Plum Island Animal Disease Center [PIADC]) from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security.

Why Build a New Facility? No facility currently meets the requirements identified in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9.

Potential NBAF Sites Proposed locations and a description of the site selection process for the NBAF.

Facility Research & Staffing Diseases that would potentially be studied at the NBAF and staffing plans.

Facility Design & Construction Biocontainment and safety features of the proposed NBAF.

Environmental Impact Statement

  • Public Involvement The Department is committed to providing public access to pertinent information and opportunities for involvement throughout the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process regarding the NBAF environmental impact statement (EIS). Town Hall Meetings information is included.
  • Public Reading Rooms  The Department has designated locations to retain NBAF documents and related material for public access.

Reference Material

Contact

The Department is fully committed to providing the public access to information about the NBAF and opportunities for involvement.  Please send inquiries to the address below

Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Lane, SW Bldg 410
Washington, DC 20528
nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov

Comments on NBAF are welcome. If you would like to be added to our mailing distribution list, please write or email us, providing the following information:  

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This page was last reviewed/modified on June 20, 2008.