[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 55421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27507]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Prisons


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Construction of a United States Penitentiary 
Near Scranton, Pennsylvania

Agency: Bureau of Prisons, Justice.

Action: Notice of intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS).

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SUMMARY:

Proposed Action

    The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons has 
determined that, in order to meet increasing demands for additional 
inmate capacity, a new United States Penitentiary (USP) is needed in 
its system.
    The Bureau of Prisons proposes to construct and operate a high 
security United States Penitentiary, with an adjacent minimum security 
satellite camp, in the greater Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania area. 
The main high security facility would be designed to have a rated 
capacity of approximately 1,000 inmates, and the minimum security 
component approximately 150-300. The Bureau of Prisons is proposing to 
build the facility near Scranton, Pennsylvania. Several sites are 
currently under consideration. The potential site also would be used 
for road access, administration, programs and services, parking, and 
support facilities.
    In the process of evaluating potential sites, several aspects will 
receive a detailed examination including utilities, traffic patterns, 
noise levels, visual intrusions, 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 facilities will be fully and 
thoroughly examined.
    Scoping Process: Several informal public meetings have already been 
held on the proposed project, and during the preparation of the DEIS, 
there will be numerous other opportunities for public involvement. The 
public scoping meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 
1997, at Valley View High School, Columbus Drive, Archbald, 
Pennsylvania. The meeting will be well publicized and is scheduled at a 
time that will make the meeting possible for the public and interested 
agencies or organizations to attend.
    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 can be 
answered by: David J. Dorworth, Chief, Site Selection & Environmental 
Review Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20534. Telephone: (202) 514-6470, Telefacsimile: (202) 
616-6024, [email protected].

    Dated: October 8, 1997.
David J. Dorworth,
Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.
[FR Doc. 97-27507 Filed 10-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-M