[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 180 (Friday, September 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 56075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Science and Technology Directorate; Notice of Availability of the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the National Biodefense 
Analysis and Countermeasures Center Facility at Fort Detrick, 
Frederick, MD

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In keeping with the purposes of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has 
prepared, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, Fort Detrick, a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed National 
Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) Facility for 
DHS, at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The DEIS evaluated the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and 
operation of the proposed NBACC Facility.

DATES: DHS and the U.S. Army Garrison of Fort Detrick will hold a joint 
public hearing to receive comments on the DEIS on Tuesday, October 5, 
2004, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Governor Thomas Johnson 
Middle School, 1799 Schifferstadt Boulevard, Frederick, Maryland, 
21701.
    Comments on the DEIS must be received no later than Monday, 
November 1, 2004. Additional information on how to submit comments is 
included in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Anderson, 301-846-2156.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is construction and 
operation of the NBACC Facility with laboratory and office space that 
will enable DHS to safely conduct research to meet program requirements 
for biological threat characterization and bioforensic programs.:
     The National Bioforensics Analysis Center (NBFAC), 
designated in Presidential Directive Biodefense for the 21st Century, 
to be the lead Federal agency for conducting Biodefense analysis of 
evidence from a bio-crime or terrorist attack to attain a ``biological 
fingerprint'' to determine where the agent came from and the 
perpetration of the attack and
     The Biological Threat Characterization Center (BTCC), for 
conducting research to better understand current and future biological 
threats. The mission of the BTCC is to fill scientific knowledge gaps 
for high-consequence biological threat agents.
    Significant issues analyzed in the DEIS included safety of 
laboratory operations; public health and safety; handling, collection, 
treatment, and disposal of research wastes; and analysis of other 
risks, as well as concerns for pollution prevention and impacts of the 
proposed action on air quality, biological resources, cultural 
resources, water resources, land use, and socioeconomic resources. 
Several alternatives were considered, including the No Action 
Alternative under which the new facility will not be built. The Notice 
of Intent for preparation of the DEIS was published in the Federal 
Register (69 FR 31830-31831, June 7, 2004).
    Public Participation: To obtain copies of the DEIS or submit 
comments, please contact Kevin Anderson, Department of Homeland 
Security, 7435 New Technology Way, Suite A, Frederick, Maryland, 21703, 
by telephone 301-846-2156, fax 301-682-3662, or e-mail 
[email protected]. Comments, including names and addresses of 
respondents, will be available for public review during regular 
business hours at the above location. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves 
as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

Maureen I. McCarthy,
Director, Office of Research and Development, Science and Technology 
Directorate.
[FR Doc. 04-20994 Filed 9-16-04; 8:45 am]
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