The Department of Homeland Security sent out a report stating the chances of a disease outbreak coming from the proposed National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility are quite low, as safety precautions would make the building impenetrable.

“NBAF would provide state-of-the-art operating procedures and biocontainment features to minimize the potential for laboratory-acquired infections and accidental releases,” the report states.

A pasture off South Milledge Avenue on the University campus is one of the six finalists for NBAF, which will replace the Plum Island Animal Disease Center off the New York coast. The other candidates are Butner, N.C.; Manhattan, Kan.; San Antonio; Flora, Miss. and Plum Island.

The report says the building would be safe from earthquake or tornado, but a fire or an explosion of some kind could pose a risk to viruses escaping.

The one virus that worries officials the most foot and mouth disease. “The risk and consequence of a release of foot and mouth disease virus was of concern due to its highly infectious nature and potential economic impact,” the report states. “The economic losses would be between $2.8 billion and $4.2 billion.”

The report also states minor environmental issues might arrive. “There would be minor cumulative effects to air quality, water supply, wastewater treatment capacity, and traffic with some of the site alternatives,” the report states. “Water use at the South
Milledge Avenue Site . . . would contribute to regional water use
during the current drought conditions.”

But the economic news is all cheery. “Construction activities at all sites would result in between 1,300 and 1,614 temporary jobs, generating between $138.2 million and $183.9 million in labor income and between $12.5 million and $24.7 million in state and local taxes,” the report states. Operation of the NBAF would result in 250 to 350 direct jobs and an estimated income of between $26.8 million and $30.4 million annually.”

“”We believe that Athens . . . home to the University of Georgia and just down the road from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, is an optimal location for NBAF,” Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a statement.

DHS is holding public meetings in Athens to present the impact analyses of siting, constructing, and operating of NBAF and the public is invited to attend and provide comments. The event will take place Aug. 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. at the Maher Auditorium at the University’s Center for Continuing Education.