Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Environmentalists worry about Plum Island's future


Around two dozen environmentalists and civic leaders are taking part in a daylong tour of New York's Plum Island.

The tour Wednesday is a sort of a real estate "open house," as the federal government proceeds with plans to close an animal disease lab there and sell the 840-acre property off eastern Long Island.

Many environmentalists are hoping that a majority of the island is retained as a wildlife refuge. They say some development of the area near where the animal lab is located, might be acceptable.

The U.S. General Services Administration has responsibility for selling the island. It is compiling a draft environmental impact statement, a preliminary step necessary to proceed with any sale.

Some estimate the property could fetch $50 million.

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