[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 91 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31826-31827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11713]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Prisons


Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement Process 
Criminal Alien Requirement Phase III--Arizona and California

    One June 13, 2000, the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau 
of Prisons (Bureau) issued a notice in the Commerce Business Daily 
stating that the Bureau would be soliciting for Contractor-Owned and 
Contractor-Operated correctional facilities to house up to 4,500 low 
security, adult male, non-U.S. citizen criminal aliens within the 
States of California and/or Arizona. The solicitation was subsequently 
issued on November 13, 2000 and proposals were submitted by prospective 
contractors to the Bureau by January 12, 2001. At that time, sites were 
offered to the Bureau for consideration in: Eloy, Arizona; Florence, 
Arizona; Kingman, Arizona; Safford, Arizona; San Luis, Arizona; Wilcox, 
Arizona; Arvin, California; Barstow, California; Orange Cove, 
California; El Centro, California; and Wasco, California. In support of 
this undertaking, and in compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act, the Bureau initiated preparation of a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). Draft EIS preparation began on September 19, 
2000 with publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of Intent to 
prepare a Draft EIS followed by public scoping meetings held in Arizona 
and California during October 2000. Since that time, the Bureau has 
been preparing the Draft EIS which would serve to study the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action at each of 
the alternative locations.
    On March 15, 2002, the Bureau issued Amendment No. 6 to RFP No. 
PCC-0007 cancelling the overall solicitation. Cancellation of the 
solicitation was deemed appropriate because the Bureau no longer has a 
need for the service. Since January 2001 when proposals were submitted 
to the Bureau, the Bureau's requirements changed. New population 
projections indicate a reduced rate of growth of the federal inmate 
population. Therefore, the Bureau has determined that it is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government not to proceed with Solicitation No. 
PCC-0007 or to complete preparation of the Draft EIS. This decision is 
consistent with the Bureau's strategy of utilizing private corrections 
contractors to allow flexibility in managing its bedspace capacity 
needs in a reasonable and cost-

[[Page 31827]]

effective manner. Questions concerning cancellation of the Draft EIS 
process should be directed to: David J. Dorworth, Chief, Site Selection 
& Environmental Review Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534, Tel: 202-514-6470/Fax: 202-616-6024.
    Thank you for your interest.

David J. Dorworth,
Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.
[FR Doc. 02-11713 Filed 5-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-M