

Plum Island Research
Mission Plum Island Virtual
Tour MEDIA ADVISORY:New Forum Group to Serve as Liaison Between Public and Plum
IslandBy Jan
Suszkiw September 5, 2000 PLUM ISLAND, N.Y., Sept. 5The
U.S. Department of Agricultures
Plum Island Animal Disease Center(PIADC) has created a forum groupfor public affairs and safety and
emergency preparednessto provide new conduits for communication with the
centers neighbors. The forum includes eight local officials who represent communities
in New York and Connecticut within commuting distance of Plum Island. The forum
will initially meet once a month with USDA scientists and other staff as part
of an ongoing dialogue on the centers research activities,
responsibilities, and general operations. The forum participants can then pass information along to
others in their communities, as well as address issues on a person-to-person
basis, said Dr. David Huxsoll, PIADC director. The idea is to offer
another outlet for public information. Participants on the Public Affairs forum are Ben Burns, Village
Trustee of Greenport, N.Y.; David Fishler, Commissioner, Department of Fire
Rescue and Emergency Services, Suffolk County, N.Y.; Timothy Griswald, First
Selectman, Old Lyme, Conn.; and Michael Pace, First Selectman for Old Saybrook,
Conn. Safety and Emergency forum participants are Thomas OBrien,
Deputy Chief, Director of Emergency Management, Old Saybrook; Debbie
OKane, North Fork (Long Island) Environmental Council; Michael Spera,
Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Department of Police Services, Old
Saybrook; and Tom Watkins, Fire Chief of the Greenport Fire Department. The forums first meeting was Thursday, Aug. 31, on Plum
Island. There, scientists of two USDA agenciesthe
Agricultural Research Service, and the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Serviceconduct research and diagnostics on animal diseases such as
Foot and Mouth Disease that arent present in the U.S., but could pose a
major economic threat to agriculture in this country. The Plum Island webpage, which includes information about the
centers research mission, scientific accomplishments, safety measures,
history, and a virtual tour, can be found at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/plum Contact: David L. Huxsoll, Interim Director, USDA
Plum Island Animal Disease Center,
Greenport, N.Y., phone (516) 323-3207,
[email protected]. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |