Requiring Comptroller General to Assess Options for Disposition of Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York
Floor Speech
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Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) and Mr. Thompson as well for both speaking in favor of this legislation, H.R. 1887.
Plum Island is not for sale. The whole purpose of this legislation is to prevent the sale of Plum Island by the Federal Government to the highest bidder.
Situated at the gateway of the Long Island Sound, Plum Island is treasured by my local community. As a critical resource for research, approximately 90 percent of the land on Plum Island has been sheltered from development, offering Long Island a diverse wildlife and ecosystem and a critical habitat for migratory birds, marine mammals, and rare plants.
With recorded history dating back to the 1700s, Plum Island is also an essential cultural and historical resource as well. Since World War II, Plum Island has been utilized as a research laboratory. The facility, which has been under Federal jurisdiction since 1899, has since grown to become what is known today as the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security, which currently has jurisdiction over the island, announced that the Animal Disease Center research would be moved to a new Federal facility: the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas.
To offset the cost of the relocation, a law was enacted that called for the private sale of Plum Island to the highest bidder. However, due to costs associated with the cleanup and closure of Plum Island and because of local zoning restrictions, the Federal Government would receive little compensation for the sale of Plum Island. Allowing for continued research, public access, and permanent preservation of the island, H.R. 1887 will reverse a 2008 law that mandated the sale of Plum Island.
The bill, as amended, will commission the Government Accountability Office, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, which currently owns the island, to formulate a comprehensive plan for the future of the island. This plan will include possible alternative uses, which can include transfer of ownership to another Federal agency, the State or local government, nonprofit, or combination thereof, for the purpose of education, research, and conservation.
Just less than 3 weeks ago, on April 28, 2016, H.R. 1887 was marked up with an amendment and passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Currently, 24 Republicans and Democrats in this Chamber have signed on as cosponsors of this bill.
I see the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) is here. He has long been championing this issue since before I got here.
I would especially like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul for both taking such a direct, personal interest in helping with this effort in the House. Their leadership is very much appreciated.
I would also like to thank all the locally elected officials, groups, and concerned residents on Long Island and elsewhere who have moved heaven and Earth to raise awareness of this cause and help recruit cosponsors.
I encourage all my colleagues to vote in support of this critical bill. Hopefully, the Senate also passes this long-awaited legislation in earnest so that the President can sign this proposal into law this year.
I have had the opportunity to visit Plum Island. It is a place where you feel as if you are thousands of miles away from Long Island. You have the history of Fort Terry, the coastline, the dunes, the waterways, the water hitting the rocks, and the seals. You literally feel as if you are nowhere near the Northeastern United States. It is a treasure, and it is one that should be protected.
Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful for this Chamber's considering this legislation and hopefully passing it unanimously.
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