Fermilab in Batavia could be left in dire straits as a result of the recently passed federal budget.

Not only could it mean layoffs of at least 200 employees, but Fermilab Director Pier Oddone said it may also throw a wrench in the facility’s plans for future projects.

Fermilab employs about 1,900 people.

“This is a terrible situation to confront in the middle of the holidays,” Oddone said.

In a letter to employees on Tuesday, Oddone wrote, “the budget proposed is devastating for high energy physics at a time when we have the most promising program in generations.”

The half-a-trillion-dollar appropriations bill passed by the House and Senate this week includes $70 billion for U.S. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also included a cut of $60 million from Fermilab’s budget.

“This is a massive cut and will have very serious consequences,” Oddone said.

The budget will have a negative impact on Fermilab’s plan to bring the world’s latest super collider project, the International Linear Collider, to Illinois. Particle physicists from around the world have proposed the ILC as the world’s next large particle accelerator.

“This is a body blow to the future of the ILC, the U.S. role in it and Fermilab,” Oddone said.

The cut will also affect Fermilab’s NOvA project, the anchor of the facility’s nutrino science program.

Fermilab spokeswoman Judy Jackson Fermilab officials will appeal to the Department of Energy as well as Illinois representatives for help.

“We know that our Illinois representatives understand how devastating this is for Fermilab and we’re working closely with them to find some kind of remedy for this dreadful situation,” Jackson said.

Former Fermilab scientist Bill Foster, currently vying for the 14th Congressional seat as a Democrat, said the proposed cuts to Fermilab based programs are a threat to the economy and are based on a flawed understanding of the need for basic, long-term, fundamental research.

“Fundamental science is the bedrock of our technological and competitive progress, and is an inspiration to our children,” he said. “Fermilab represents a huge investment in America’s future.”