Project for Camp Ripley in mix for bonding bill

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A new anti-terrorism training facility for Camp Ripley is among the projects in the mix for a bonding bill the Legislature will consider next year.

The House Capital Investment Committee was briefed on the proposal during a recent tour of the military training grounds.

The $50 million project, which officials hope to complete with the help of federal funds, would consist of building structures that represent possible terrorist targets.

They may include mock-ups of a school, shopping center, power station and other public buildings where disasters could be simulated for the purpose of training local, state and federal authorities to respond to them.

Legislators will consider the project with other construction requests during the 2002 session.

"This project will be given strong consideration for funding," said committee Chairman Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud. "We need to make sure we as a state are doing our part to be prepared in the war on terrorism."