February 20th, 2015: Plum Island

[xoxoxoBruce]

Pssst, have you ever dreamed of being Dr. Moreau, or Mr. Roarke , maybe Dr. Julius No? Well have I got an island for you. Way out off the end of Long Island, NY, lies Plum Island. It’s home to the federal Animal Disease Center research facility, which is the subject of almost as many conspiracy theories as Area 51.



The 840 acre island was sold by the Corchaug znd Montaukett Indians to to Samuel Wyllys for a coat, a barrel of biscuits and 100 fishhooks. In 1869 a lighthouse went up, then 1897 Fort Terry opened on 150 acres the government paid $25,000 for. In 1901 the government took control of the entire island... probably made an offer they couldn’t refuse. In 1952 they built the U.S. Army Chemical Corps facility focused primarily on anti-animal biological warfare research and in 1954 the U.S. Department of Agriculture took over the island and began to use it as an animal disease research center. That’s when the island was made off limits to everyone, and fueled the conspiracy theorists.

Now the congress, in their infinite wisdom ( ) have decided to move the facility that tests stuff very dangerous to cattle, to Manhattan, KS in the middle of cattle country. It’ll take ten years but after they move the island is to be sold. The sale would include all the buildings, the lighthouse (bad shape + Historic Register), one grave (Colonel Thomas Gardiner), emergency power plant, 12 miles of road, 4 paved, and a 9.5 acre support facility at Orient Point, NY.



How much could they sell this for? How much discount for a generous donor to whatever administration is in the White House at the time?
After the future sale became public, in a flurry of activity the town of Southold zoned the island non-residential, and the Governor ordered a biological study. Also, the island being closed to the public since 1954 has resulted is a huge diversified bird population, and the federally protected seals(Great White bait), inhabit the beaches. I’ll bet it takes at least 50 years, and tons of court time, to dispose of Plum Island.

Nobody wants to take on the physical or financial burden, but don't want anyone else to get control either. In the past that sort of property would be foisted off on state or Federal taxpayers, by governments are shying away now too. But you know, with Plum Island, and a pickup full of pillows and blankets you could build a fort like nobody can match.