"I wouldn't have lived there if I was concerned," she said about health, safety and environmental issues related to tests at Dugway.

The most recent draft of an environmental assessment for the renovation proposal states that the country's ability to defeat an attack against the United States using some sort of biological agent "requires improvement."

The assessment goes on to say that war fighters and first responders need equipment to detect such an attack, identify the biological agent being used, protect against contamination and decontaminate any place or person affected by the attack.

To work toward that goal, the Army wants to renovate the old 32,000-square-foot laboratory, which was replaced in the 1990s by a new lab. The renovation would take place in phases, with the funding of each new lab (as many as 25) within the building initially coming from customers.

The assessment states that there would be controls at the renovated Baker Laboratory "to prevent the release of biological materials to the atmosphere." Nicholson noted that Dugway is recognized for setting the standards for safety and security at similar testing facilities around the country.

Army officials say congressional funding for the entire project "will not likely be realized for several more years." Nicholson was unable Friday to provide a total cost for the renovation, which she said could take at least two years before even the first phase is complete.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com