[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 43267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21233]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Prisons


Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for Development of a United States Penitentiary Near 
the Big Sandy Regional Airport in Martin County, Kentucky

AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS).

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SUMMARY:

Proposed Action

    The United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons 
has determined that a United States Penitentiary (USP) is needed in its 
system.
    The Federal Bureau of Prisons has preliminarily evaluated several 
sites in Eastern Kentucky and determined that the DEIS will focus upon 
a 500 acre tract on new State Route #3 across from the Big Sandy 
Regional Airport in Martin County, Kentucky.
    The Bureau of Prisons proposes to build and operate a high-security 
United States Penitentiary, with an adjacent minimum-security satellite 
camp, in Martin County, Kentucky. The main high-security facility would 
provide habitation for approximately 1000 inmates, and up to 300 
inmates at the minimum-security camp. The Bureau of Prisons proposes to 
build the facility near Debord, Kentucky, on a portion of a 500 acre 
tract located on new State Route #3 across from the Big Sandy Regional 
Airport in Martin County, Kentucky. The site appears to be of 
sufficient size to provide space for housing, programs, administrative 
services and other support areas such as staff training.

The Process

    In the process of evaluating the site, several aspects will receive 
detailed examination including: utilities, traffic patterns, noise 
levels, visual intrusion, threatened and endangered species, cultural 
resources and socio-economic impacts.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the options of ``no action'' and 
``alternative sites'' for the proposed facility will be fully and 
thoroughly examined.

Scoping Process

    During the preparation of the DEIS, there will be opportunities for 
public involvement in order to determine the issues to be examined. A 
Scoping Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 1996, 
at the Big Sandy Regional Airport in Martin County, Kentucky. The 
meeting will be well publicized and will be held at a time which will 
make it possible for the public and interested agencies or 
organizations to attend. In addition, numerous public information 
meetings have been held by representatives of the Bureau of Prisons 
with interested citizens, officials and community leaders.
DEIS Preparation
    Public notice will be given concerning the availability of the DEIS 
for public review and comment.
ADDRESSES: Questions concerning the proposed action and the DEIS may be 
directed to: David J. Dorworth, Chief, Site Selection and Environmental 
Review Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., 
Washington, D.C. 20534, telephone (202) 514-6470, telefacsimile (202) 
616-6024.
    Dated: August 15, 1996.
David J. Dorworth,
Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.
[FR Doc. 96-21233 Filed 8-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-M