[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63036-63037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18039]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Prisons


Notice of the Availability of the Record of Decision for Proposed 
Federal Correctional Institution--Berlin, NH

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

ACTION: Notice of a Record of Decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons 
(BOP) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) 
concerning the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 
development of a Federal Correctional Institution to be located in 
Berlin, Coos County, New Hampshire.
    Background Information: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Council of 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), BOP has 
prepared Draft and Final EISs for the development of a medium-security 
Federal Correctional Institution to house approximately 1,230 adult 
male inmates, a satellite work camp to house approximately 128 minimum-
security inmates, staff training facilities, and ancillary facilities 
in Berlin, New Hampshire.
    Project Information: The BOP is responsible for carrying out 
judgements of the Federal courts whenever a period of confinement is 
ordered. Subsequently, 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. 
Approximately 162,200 inmates are currently housed within the 114 
federal correctional institutions that have levels of security ranging 
from minimum to maximum; a number exceeding the combined rated 
capacities of all federal correctional facilities. Measures being taken 
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 toward the long-term goal of reduced system-wide crowding.
    The proposed action in Berlin, New Hampshire, is part of the BOP's 
comprehensive expansion effort and would consist of construction and 
operation of a medium-security Federal Correctional Institution, a 
satellite work camp to house minimum-security inmates, staff training 
facilities, along with ancillary facilities. The principal function of 
the correctional facility would be to provide a safe, secure and humane 
environment for the care and custody of federal inmates, primarily from 
the Northeast region of the country. Upon activation, the facility 
would have a staff of approximately 300 to 350 full-time employees who 
would provide 24-hour supervision. Development of the proposed facility 
will necessitate the acquisition of approximately 700 acres of land by 
the BOP exclusive of lands which may be acquired for mitigation 
purposes.
    The BOP evaluated alternatives as part of the EIS including the No 
Action Alternative, development of the proposed project at alternative 
locations nationwide, development of the proposed project at 
alternative locations within the Northeast United States, and 
development of the proposed project at one of four alternative sites 
located in Berlin, New Hampshire. Each of the four alternative sites 
located in Berlin, New Hampshire, is examined in detail in the Draft 
and Final EISs with development of the proposed project at Site A1 
located northeast of downtown Berlin identified by the Draft and Final 
EISs as the Preferred Alternative.
    The BOP issued a Draft EIS in March 2006 with publication of the 
Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register on March 24, 2006. 
The NOA provided for a 45-day public comment period which began on 
March 24, 2006, and ended on May 8, 2006. During the public comment 
period, the BOP held a public hearing concerning the proposed action 
and the Draft EIS on April 19, 2006. Approximately 200 individuals 
attended the public hearing which was held in Berlin, New Hampshire.
    The Final EIS addressed comments received on the Draft EIS and 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register concerning the Final EIS 
occurred on August 11, 2006. The 30-day review period for receipt of 
public comments concerning the Final EIS ended on September 11, 2006. 
Approximately 500 comment letters, post cards, and other forms of 
communication were received by the BOP during the Final EIS public 
review period. The comment letters received on the Final EIS are 
similar to comments received by the BOP on the Draft EIS and were 
considered in the decision presented in the ROD.
    BOP provided written notices of the availability of the Draft EIS 
and Final

[[Page 63037]]

EIS in the Federal Register, two newspapers with local and regional 
circulations, and through three local public libraries. The BOP also 
distributed approximately 175 copies (each) of the Draft EIS and Final 
EIS to federal and state agencies, state and local governments, elected 
officials, interested organizations, and individuals.
    Availability of Record of Decision: The Record of Decision and 
other information regarding this project are available upon request. To 
request a copy of the Record of Decision, please contact: Pamela J. 
Chandler, Chief, or Issac J. Gaston, Site Selection Specialist, Site 
Selection and Environmental Review Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 
320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534 Tel: 202-514-6470 Fax: 202-
616-6024 / E-mail: [email protected]-[email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela J. Chandler, or Issac J. 
Gaston, Federal Bureau of Prisons.

    Dated: October 24, 2006.
Issac J. Gaston,
Site Specialist, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.
 [FR Doc. E6-18039 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-05-P