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Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

« National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement


Scoping Meeting Materials (PDF, 27 pages - 4.6 MB)


Washington, D.C. Scoping Meeting Materials (PDF, 27 pages - 4.2 MB)


Public Meeting Materials (PDF, 9 pages - 565 KB)

In The Spotlight

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Public Involvement Regarding the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Environmental Impact Statement

NBAF Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Meetings

The Department of Homeland Security held public meetings to present the impact analyses of siting, constructing, and operating the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The public was invited to attend a meeting and provide comments on the National Bio and Agro-Defense Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Most meeting locations had an identical afternoon (12:30 - 4:30 p.m.) and evening (6 - 10 p.m.) session consisting of the following:

  • A one-hour open house to view material, register to present oral comments, and speak informally with subject matter experts (12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and/or  6 - 7 p.m.)
  • Presentation on the NBAF DEIS (1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and/or 7 - 8 p.m.)
  • Formal comment period (recorded by a court reporter) (2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and/or 8 - 10 p.m.)

Past Meetings

Washington, D.C. - Thursday, July 24, 2008

Butner, North Carolina - Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Manhattan, Kansas - Thursday, July 31, 2008

Flora, Mississippi - Tuesday, August 5, 2008

San Antonio, Texas - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Old Saybrook, Connecticut - Monday, August 11, 2008

Greenport, New York - Tuesday, August 12

Athens, Georgia - Thursday, August 14

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Submit Comments on the NBAF Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The comment period was from June 27 through August 25, 2008. All comments, both oral and written, received during this period will be given equal consideration when finalizing the NBAF EIS.

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Town Hall Meetings

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) subject matter experts were available to address questions on the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).

Past Meetings

  • Athens, Georgia: Tuesday, February 19, 2008
    NBAF presentation, (PDF, 29 pages - 2.2 MB)
  • Creedmoor, North Carolina: Thursday, February 21, 2008
    NBAF presentation, (PDF, 29 pages - 2.6 MB)
  • Southold, New York: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
    NBAF presentation (PDF, 38 pages - 1.65 MB)

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review and comment to evaluate siting alternatives for the construction and operation by the Department of a proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NBAF DEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of taking no action, as well as siting, constructing, and operating the proposed NBAF at the following six site alternatives:

Scoping Process – Summer 2007

The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Environmental Impact Statement (NBAF EIS) scoping period occurred from July 31 through September 28, 2007. During that time, the Department conducted eight public meetings in the vicinity of the proposed NBAF sites and in one regional location. The results of this process are documented in the NBAF EIS Scoping Report (PDF, 124 pages - 5.84 MB).

NBAF Draft Environmental Impact Statement – Summer 2008

The Department has released the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review and comment, which addresses the scoping comments received. The public comment period on the NBAF DEIS was from June 27 through August 25, 2008.

NBAF Final Environmental Impact Statement - Late Fall 2008

All comments on the NBAF Draft EIS received during the 60-day comment period, regardless of how they are submitted, will be given equal consideration in finalizing the document. The NBAF Final EIS, which is expected in late fall 2008, will present the comments and the Department’s responses to those comments.

Record of Decision – Winter 2008

The Department decision makers will consider the analyses in the NBAF Final EIS, along with other factors. A Record of Decision (ROD) that explains the final decisions regarding the NBAF will be made available at least 30 days after the NBAF Final EIS is published.

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NBAF Environmental Impact Statement Mailing List

If you would like to be added to or removed from the NBAF EIS mailing list, please e-mail the following information to nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov:

  • Full Name (salutation, first, and last)
    Title and Organization (as appropriate)
    Complete Mailing Address
    E-mail Address (if you prefer to receive notifications by email only)

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Request Documents

The following documents are or will be available online and in the NBAF reading rooms. If you wish to receive a copy by mail, please e-mail nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov and indicate the document and format (e.g., CD or hardcopy), and provide your mailing address:

  • Draft NBAF EIS Executive Summary
  • Draft NBAF EIS (includes the Executive Summary)
  • Final NBAF EIS Executive Summary
  • Final NBAF EIS (includes the Executive Summary)

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This page was last reviewed/modified on September 23, 2008.