News
February 19, 2008
Council Wants More Information On Proposed Agro-Defense Facility
The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously today to withhold its support for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility proposed for Butner. Council members said they want federal officials to meet five conditions before they could consider supporting the facility. The conditions are:
- Respond to the City’s questions about the facility;
- Explain plans for keeping sediment runoff from the facility out of Falls Lake, Raleigh’s source for drinking water;
- Respond to safety questions posed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners;
- Provide information about oversight of the facility; and,
- Consider alternate sites in North Carolina for the facility.
As part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility would research animal and animal-to-human diseases. Butner is one of five locations nationwide being considered for the research facility. No other sites in North Carolina are currently under consideration for the facility. The federal government is scheduled to decide on a location in the autumn.
The Department of Homeland Security will conduct a public meeting on the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at South Granville High School.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Dale Crisp
Director
Public Utilities Department
One Exchange Plaza, Suite 620
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-857-4540
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