[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 64 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17455-17456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7401]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Prisons


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

AGENCY: Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice.

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

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SUMMARY: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for development of a medium-security Federal 
correctional institution by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal 
Bureau of Prisons. The area under consideration for correctional 
facility development includes southern West Virginia.

Background

    The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is responsible for carrying out 
judgments of the Federal courts whenever a period of confinement is 
ordered. The mission of the BOP is to protect society by confining 
offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based 
facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient and appropriately 
secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities 
to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.
    As of March 29, 2004, approximately 148,655 inmates are housed 
within the 105 Federal correctional facilities that have levels of 
security ranging from minimum to maximum. At the present time, the 
Federal inmate population exceeds the combined rated capacities of the 
105 Federal correctional facilities.
    The continuing inmate population is due in part to Federal court 
sentencing guidelines which are resulting in longer terms of 
confinement for serious crimes. The increase in the number of 
immigration offenders and the effort to combat organized crime and drug 
trafficking are also contributing to the increase. Measures being 
undertaken to manage the growth of the Federal inmate population 
include construction of new institutions, acquisition and adaptation of 
facilities originally intended for other purposes, expansion and 
improvement of existing correctional facilities, and expanded use of 
contract beds. Adding capacity through these various means allows the 
BOP to work towards the long-term goal of managing our inmate 
population growth.
    In the face of the continuing increase in the Federal prison 
population, one way the BOP has extended its capacity is through 
construction of new facilities. As part of this effort, the BOP has a 
facilities planning program featuring the identification and evaluation 
of sites for new facilities. The BOP routinely identifies prospective 
sites that may be appropriate for development of new Federal 
correctional facilities. Locations of new Federal correctional 
facilities are determined by the need for such facilities in various 
parts of the country and the resources available to meet that need.
    The BOP routinely screens and evaluates private and public 
properties located throughout the nation for possible use and 
development. Over the past decade, the BOP has examined prospective 
sites for new correctional facilities development in Kentucky, 
Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
California, Florida, Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and 
Louisiana among other locations around the country and has undertaken 
environmental impact studies in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended.

Proposed Action

    The BOP is facing increased bedspace shortages throughout the 
Federal prison system. Over the past decade, a significant influx of 
inmates has entered the Federal prison system with a large portion of 
this influx originating from the Mid-Atlantic region.
    In response, the BOP has committed significant resources to 
identifying and developing sites for new correctional facilities 
throughout this region including construction of facilities in Martin 
County and McCreary County, Kentucky; Petersburg and Lee County, 
Virginia; Butner, North Carolina; and Preston County and Gilmer County, 
West Virginia. Even with the development of these new and expanded 
facilities, projections show the Federal inmate population

[[Page 17456]]

continuing to increase, placing additional demands for bedspace within 
the Mid-Atlantic region.
    In response, the BOP has undertaken investigations throughout 
Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia in an effort to 
identify prospective sites capable of accommodating Federal 
correctional facilities and communities willing to host such 
facilities. Through this process, officials representing communities 
located in southern West Virginia, identified potential locations for 
development of a medium-security Federal correctional institution and 
offered several sites for BOP consideration. Sites located in McDowell 
County, Mingo County, Boone County, and Nicholas County in West 
Virginia have been offered and all were subjected to initial studies by 
the BOP. These potential sites were subjected to initial studies by the 
BOP and those considered suitable for correctional facility development 
will be evaluated further by the BOP in a DEIS that will analyze the 
potential impacts of facility construction and operation.
    The BOP is proposing to build and operate in the Mid-Atlantic 
region a medium-security Federal correctional institution with an 
adjoining satellite work camp. The medium-security institution would 
house approximately 1,200 inmates.

The Process

    In the process of evaluating the potential environmental impacts 
associated with Federal correctional facility development and 
operation, many factors and features will be analyzed including, but 
not limited to: topography, geology, soils, hydrology, biological 
resources, cultural resources, hazardous materials, aesthetics, fiscal 
considerations, population/ employment/housing characteristics, 
community services and facilities, land uses, utility services, 
transportation systems, meteorological conditions, air quality, and 
noise.

Alternatives

    In developing the DEIS, the No Action alternative, other actions 
considered and eliminated, and alternatives sites for the proposed 
medium-security Federal correctional institution will be 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 
Public Scoping Meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2004, 
at Mount View High School, 950 Mount View Road, Welch, West Virginia. 
The meeting location, date, and time will be well-publicized and have 
been arranged to allow for the public as well as interested agencies 
and organizations to attend and formally express their views on the 
scope and significant issues to be studied as part of the DEIS process. 
The Scoping Meeting is being held to provide for timely public comments 
and understanding of Federal plans and programs with possible 
environmental consequences as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the National Historic Preservation 
Act of 1966, as amended.

Availability of DEIS

    Public notice will be given concerning the availability of the DEIS 
for public review and comment.

Contact

    Questions concerning the proposed action and the DEIS may be 
directed to: Pamela J. Chandler, Acting Chief, Site Selection and 
Environmental Review Branch, U.S. Department of Justice--Federal Bureau 
of Prisons, 320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534 Telephone: 202-
514-6470/Facsimile: 202-616-6024/[email protected].

    Dated: March 29, 2004.
Pamela J. Chandler,
Acting Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch, Federal 
Bureau of Prisons.
[FR Doc. 04-7401 Filed 4-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-P