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NBAF Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Meetings and Comment Period

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

Athens Meetings

Thursday, August 14
Afternoon: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Evening:  6 - 10 p.m.
The University of Georgia, Center for Continuing Education, 1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602 - Mahler Auditorium
800-488-7827

Meeting Format

1. 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  6 - 7 p.m.)
2. Presentation on the NBAF DEIS (1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and 7 - 8 p.m.)
3. Formal comment period (recorded by a court reporter) (2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and 8 - 10 p.m.)

Oral Comments at the Meeting

The public may sign up to make formal oral comments during the open house prior to the presentation. Oral comments will be given in the order in which people signed up. There will be a three-minute time limit, which will be indicated on the sign-up sheet so that each speaker will know approximately when they will be called to the microphone. There is no pre-registration to provide oral comments.

Special Accommodations to Attend a Meeting

If you require special accommodations to attend a meeting, please call the toll-free voice mail number at 1-866-501-NBAF (6223) or e-mail nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov with your request for assistance so you can fully participate in the decision-making process.

Other Ways to Submit Comments

The comment period is 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. Comments may be submitted at the meetings or by:

U.S. Mail:  U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Science and Technology Directorate; James V. Johnson; Mail Stop #2100; 245 Murray Lane, SW; Building 410; Washington, DC 20528 

Toll-Free Fax:  1-866-508-NBAF (6223)

Toll-Free Voice Mail:  1-866-501-NBAF (6223)

Online:  e-mail nbafprogrammanager@dhs.gov

Department of Homeland Security

Public Reading Rooms for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated the following locations to provide information repositories for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Environmental Impact Statement (NBAF EIS) and associated documents and publications. The public is encouraged to visit the reading rooms to gain a better understanding of the NBAF and learn more about public involvement opportunities.

Subscribe to the NBAF in Georgia listserv.

The listserv will include information on community meetings, announcements, news coverage and links to updates on the NBAF Web site. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Community Meetings

UGA will hold public meetings to provide information about the NBAF and answer questions. Check this web site and the local media for information on meetings.

General questions

Email: nbaf@uga.edu
Phone: (706) 542-5969

Media contact

Terry Hastings
University of Georgia Research Communications Office
Email: thasting@uga.edu
Phone: (706) 542-5941