[Federal Register: August 23, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 163)]
[Notices]
[Page 48288-48289]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23au07-64]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Supplementary Risk Assessments and Site Suitability Analyses for
the National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory, Boston University
Medical Center
ACTION: Availability of Supplementary Risk Assessments and Site
Suitability Analyses for the National Emerging Infectious Disease
Laboratory, Boston University Medical Center; notice of hearing.
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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has placed in the
docket for public review and comment the Supplementary Risk Assessments
and Site Suitability Analyses for the National Emerging Infectious
Disease Laboratory, Boston University Medical Center, which address
additional concerns of the local community regarding possible impacts
of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Boston
University Medical Center. The purpose of the Supplementary Risk
Assessments and Site Suitability Analyses for the National Emerging
Infectious Disease Laboratory was alternative site analysis and risk
assessment that investigated potential infectious disease threats that
may be posed to the public should an exotic infectious agent be
released into the community through an infected laboratory worker,
laboratory accident, or other mishap.
DATES: Comments on the Supplementary Risk Assessments and Site
Suitability Analyses for the National Emerging Infectious Disease
Laboratory must be received by Monday, November 12th. A public hearing
will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2007, from 7-9 p.m. at Faneuil
Hall, Dock Square, Boston, MA 02109.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Valerie Nottingham, Division of
Environmental Protection, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Building 13, Room 2S11, Bethesda, MD 20892, MSC 5746. E-mail
comments should be sent to nihnepa@mail.nih.gov. Comments sent by e-
mail must be received by 11:59
[[Page 48289]]
p.m. on the last day of the comment period, Monday, November 12, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Nottingham, Division of
Environmental Protection, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville
Pike, Building 13, Room 2S11, Bethesda, MD 20892, MSC 5746, telephone
number 301-496-7775, E-mail address: nihnepa@mail.nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institutes of Health awarded a
construction grant to Boston University to partly fund the design and
construction of one of two National Biocontainment Laboratories (NBLs).
These advanced biomedical research laboratories are essential to the
civilian biodefense initiative providing critically needed Biosafety
Levels 2, 3, and 4 research space. The basic and translational research
to be conducted in these laboratories over the next 20 years will
result in development of new rapid diagnostic assays, vaccines and
therapeutics for protection of the American public against intentional
misuse or release of harmful biological agents or toxins and emerging
and re-emerging infectious diseases such as H5N1 highly pathogenic
avian influenza and the SARS coronavirus.
The NIH completed and published a final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) and published a Record of Decision as required for
major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). Construction of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases
Laboratory (NEIDL) began at the BioSquare II Research Park on Albany
Street, Boston, Massachusetts adjacent to the Boston University Medical
Center (BUMC).
During the preparation of the EIS, the NIH conducted a thorough
review of the possible impacts of the NBL on the public and the
environment. That review demonstrated that the construction and
operation of the NBL was not a risk to the community in which the
laboratory was sited or surrounding communities. In response to
additional and lingering concerns raised by some members of the
community, the NIH has performed additional reviews of the potential
impacts of the NBL. These reviews included additional ``hard look''
alternative site analyses and risk assessments investigating potential
infectious disease threats that may be posed to the public should an
exotic infectious agent be released into the community through an
infected laboratory worker, laboratory accident or other mishap.
Additionally, the risk assessments specifically addressed an on-going
community concern that an Environmental Justice community near the
proposed NEIDL site in Boston would be disproportionately impacted
should a release occur.
Availability of Copies and Electronic Access
Copies of the Supplementary Risk Assessments and Site Suitability
Analyses for the National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory,
Boston University Medical Center may be obtained at no cost by calling
301-496-7775, or by emailing requests to nihnepa@mail.nih.gov.
Documents are available in alternate formats upon request. Persons who
want a publication in an alternate format should specify the type of
format. The document will also be available on the NIH Web site http://www.nems.nih.gov/aspects/nat_resources/programs/nepa.cfm
.
Dated: August 15, 2007.
Daniel G. Wheeland,
Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations,
NIH.
[FR Doc. E7-16645 Filed 8-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P