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Plum Island Background
Plum Island is an 840- acre island located approximately 1.5 miles off the northeast
tip of Orient Point, Long Island, New York. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), operates the
Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) on the island. Plum Island is formerly
the home of the U.S. Army’s Fort Terry and was transferred to the USDA in 1954 to
establish a research facility for foot-and-mouth disease. In 2003, Plum Island was
transferred to DHS. PIADC is comprised of buildings, industrial facilities and equipment,
roadways, utilities, specialized facilities, easements, and rights of way. Additional
assets on Plum Island include natural undeveloped land, the Plum Island Lighthouse
constructed in 1869, and buildings and structures associated with the former Fort
Terry. DHS also owns and operates transportation assets and a 9.5-acre facility
to support PIADC at Orient Point, New York which includes buildings, utilities,
and ferry docking facilities.
Why is the sale of Plum Island being considered?
DHS, in cooperation with the USDA, operates the Plum Island Animal Disease Center
(PIADC) on the island.
The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act
of 2009 mandates the sale as a result of the determination by DHS to construct
and operate a new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas
and move its operations from the PIADC to the NBAF
(Record of Decision dated 01/16/2009) .