This just in...more news for the Kansas SteerPlanet Gang

[cowz]

AJ posted last week that they are moving the Guantanamo prisoners to the Land of Oz.....well neighbors they have been talking about this next one for a long time.....your politicians have been very very busy! ( And whoever wrote this next article are big Pat Roberts fans)  Read this I just got on my official work email.......yikes!

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts celebrated the recommendation of Manhattan, Kansas and Kansas State University to be the site of the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) culminating an effort he began in 2005 to bring this exciting scientific and economic development opportunity to Kansas.

The selection was made in the Department of Homeland Security’s Final Environmental Impact Statement obtained today. A final record of decision will be issued following a comment period and is expected to follow the recommendation made in the EIS.

"Manhattan, Kansas State University and the State of Kansas have proven that we are the nation’s leaders in plant and animal research and industry, and I am proud of the role Kansas will continue to play in agriculture security and innovation. This NBAF will protect and build the state’s agriculture economy for decades to come and further expand our national leadership in the biosciences."

The executive summary of the NBAF Final Environmental Impact Statement said, "Based on the numerous strengths that were evident when evaluating against the evaluation criteria, the steering committee found that the Manhattan Campus Site best met the purpose and need to site, construct and operate the NBAF...Finally taking into consideration the ‘in-kind’ contributions offered by the consortia, the Manhattan Campus Site was among the least expensive to construct and had among the lowest planned operation costs of all the Site Alternatives."

The NBAF will replace the aging Plum Island facility, the federal government’s current location for animal disease research.

In February 2007, Senator Roberts addressed a rare joint session of the Kansas House and Senate soliciting their support for the state’s bid to bring the proposed federal research lab to Kansas.

Roberts said then, "There is no doubt, securing this facility would be one of, if not the greatest, economic development initiatives in state history. It is a key to the economic future of Kansas. If it happens, future generations of Kansans will have economic opportunities available to them that are currently unimaginable or available only outside the border of Kansas."

Senator Roberts hailed the many positive partnerships created to win the NBAF, including state government, the NBAF Task Force, of which Roberts was the honorary chairman, the Kansas Bioscience Authority, President Jon Wefald of Kansas State University and the City of Manhattan.

"We can really be proud of our teamwork to prove that Kansas is the best home for this laboratory based on the merits. We had a unity of effort from the federal to the local level, across parties, with private partners and community leaders to bring this tremendous opportunity to the people of Kansas."

Senator Roberts’ effort to bring the NBAF to Kansas began in 2005 when the Congress approved funding for site selection and preconstruction planning of a new research facility to replace Plum Island. Senator Roberts began working with Kansas State University officials and encouraged the University and the state to make a proposal for locating this facility in Kansas. Since that time, Senator Roberts has worked on bringing the NBAF to Kansas, personally speaking with key Administration officials, hosting them on tours of the Bioscecurity Research Institute, housed in Pat Roberts Hall at Kansas State University, and the proposed sites.

 

[knabe]

Finally taking into consideration the ‘in-kind’ contributions offered by the consortia, the Manhattan Campus Site was among the least expensive to construct and had among the lowest planned operation costs of all the Site Alternatives."

cost is the most important thing.  not threat to livestock.  hm.  i bet i could get straws of semen that are a dollar.  that's low cost.  must be the best solution.

 

[itk]

Manhattan is right in the middle of some of the best cow/calf country in America. Numerous feeders calves are put on grass just alittle to the east and there are only a few million calves in feedlots five hours to the south west. Whats the worst that could happen if one of those little bugs get out. Was in Manhattan today and the COC and the rest of the city folks couldn't happier about the economic impact this will have. I ate lunch at the sale barn(nothing better then a hot roast beef sandwhich on a cold day) needless to say those there selling cattle had a little different take on the situation.

 

[aj]

Anything that is man-made will and can go wrong. I don't understand why they are moving it to kansas. I live only 33 miles from Colorado and I am 4 hours from Manhattan.It sound insane to me. Where it was was pretty isolated. I hope they get the nasty stuff in a bomb proof case cause if it gets cut loose she is right in the middle of the U.S. Why couldn't they have put in Mexico or somewhere....hell we are paying for all the people down there.

 

[kanshow]

I think most local people are pleased it is in Manhattan.  I was skeptical that they would be able to land it, but they did.  Now it remains to be built but rumor has it the money is already there to do so. 

itk, they do make a good roast beef sandwich over there, don't they?    I watched a little bit of the sale online & looked like it was a pretty sorry deal. 

 

[jason]

:

 

[knabe]

we must not question the government.  it's track record is better than jesus.

 

[simtal]

how much money we talking here?  A few bucks I bet.  It doesn't surprise me that they moved it where they did, the government's main concern is not agriculture, but people.  Granted, there are people in Kansas, but not the amount of people where Plum Island is.  The other half of this building is Bio, meaning biological agents, which affect people.  That's why they skipped over Atlanta, too many people there.  This is all my opinion, btw.

 

[Davis Shorthorns]

how much money we talking here?  A few bucks I bet.  It doesn't surprise me that they moved it where they did, the government's main concern is not agriculture, but people.  Granted, there are people in Kansas, but not the amount of people where Plum Island is.  The other half of this building is Bio, meaning biological agents, which affect people.  That's why they skipped over Atlanta, too many people there.  This is all my opinion, btw.

I think that the no.'s are about 30mill is salaries the first few years.  It is a big deal for the town, but as a cattle producer I am kinda scarred.

 

[aj]

It is closer to Missouri than it is to me and for that I am grateful. I went to a townhall type of deal a month ago. It was a county sheriff re-election deal. As I understand in say a hoof and mouth outbreak the county sheriff is responsible for setting up a quarentine area. An example was given of a local 10,000 head feedlot. Initially the sheriff department would set up a barrier. If they had to they could deputise almost anyone. National gaurd would be brought in. Eventually night vision equiped copters would run the quarantine lines. Initially no humans in and out of area. It would be a shoot to kill situation. Somebody questioned about wildlife crossing the line. None knew for sure but one guy claimed sparrows,deer, and mice would be killed if possible if caught crossing the line. I don't know for sure but it was very interesting. Another note, my father went to a reunion of sorts a couple months. He knew a guy who worked on plum Island. I believe the workers take boats to the job site. The one guy was tied in to Nebraska University and a vaccine deal somehow. All I know is wow....think of K-States football recruiting pitch now. Come play football 1 mile away from the disease experimental center...wahooo. ;D

 

[jason]

We needs jobs, but at what cost.  I don't mind have a nuclear power plant in my backyard, but something about having a bio warfare testing facility does not settle me, especially since I am just an hour away.