The Scripps Research Institute Palm Beach County Florida Caroline Kramer ES/Pol 333 December 2005

Background  Scripps based in La Jolla, Ca  Looking to build new Biotech Research Park….picked Palm Beach County, FL  Selected location  Mecca Farms  Former Orange Grove  Potential to be the most economically beneficial to FL since Disney

The Issue  Mecca Farms is surrounded by several environmentally sensitive areas  Army Corps of Engineers only assessed 535 of the 2,000 acres for environmental impact prior to issuing a building permit  Violation of NEPA  Florida Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club file lawsuit against Corps  District Court Judge Middlebrooks ruled to stop building until proper environmental assessment can be completed

Current State of Affairs  TSRI Options  Wait out lengthy EIS over Mecca Farms  Choose an alternative site (Abacoa, Briger Tract, Florida Research Park)  Scripps has until Dec. 20, 2005 to decide

Land Use of Florida Approximate Mecca Location

Aerial Photo of Mecca Farms

Mecca Farms Location Mecca Farms

Building Design

Alternative Site Proposals Abacoa is much smaller location, decreases possibility of urban sprawl Briger Tract is across the street Adjoined to Florida Atlantic University Next to I-95, easily accessible (no new roads need to be built)

Unofficial pole from