[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 25031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9881]



[[Page 25031]]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of the Availability of the Record of Decision Concerning a 
Proposal To Develop a Federal Correctional Complex in the Aliceville, 
AL Area

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

ACTION: Notice of a Record of Decision.

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SUMMARY: Notice of the Availability of the Record of Decision.
    The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) 
announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) concerning 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 
development of a Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in the Aliceville, 
Alabama area.

Background Information

    Pursuant to Section 102, 42 U.S.C. 4332, of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended and the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), BOP has 
prepared Draft and Final EISs concerning a proposal to develop a FCC 
comprising one or more mini mum-, medium-, and high-security 
correctional facilities. Initial development of the FCC would consist 
of a Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) to house approximately 
1,500 adult inmates along with ancillary facilities including 
administrative structures, a prison industry facility, a satellite work 
camp to house approximately 250 adult inmates, and staff training 
facilities.

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 166,000 
inmates are currently housed within the 114 federal correctional 
facilities 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 acquisition and 
adaptation of facilities originally intended for other purposes, the 
expansion and improvement of existing correctional facilities, and the 
expanded use of contract beds together with construction of new 
institutions. Adding capacity through these means allows the BOP to 
work toward the long-term goal of reduced system-wide crowding. The BOP 
is facing an especially challenging situation in that the number of 
inmates originating from the southeastern United States has grown 
substantially. As a result, the BOP manages many inmates from the 
southeastern-most United States in facilities throughout the Southeast 
Region and beyond. Provision of additional bedspace in the Aliceville, 
Alabama area would allow the BOP to manage inmates originating from the 
southeastern-most states nearer their families and friends which aids 
in the rehabilitative process.
    The proposed action in the Aliceville, Alabama area is part of the 
BOP's comprehensive expansion effort and would consist of the 
construction and operation of a FCC. The principal function of the FCC 
would be to provide a safe, secure, and humane environment for the care 
and custody of federal inmates, primarily from the southeastern region 
of the country. Development of the proposed facility will necessitate 
the acquisition of approximately 1,270 acres of land by the BOP.
    The BOP evaluated alternatives as part of the EIS including the No 
Action Alternative, development of the proposed project at alternative 
locations nationwide, and development of the proposed project at one of 
two alternative sites located near the City of Aliceville in Pickens 
County, Alabama. Each of the alternative sites is examined in detail in 
the Draft and Final EISs with development of the proposed project at 
the North Site identified by the Draft and Final EISs as the Preferred 
Alternative.
    The BOP issued a Draft EIS on October 20, 2007, with publication of 
the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register on October 27, 
2007. The NOA provided a start date for the 45-day public comment 
period beginning on October 27, 2007, and ending on December 10, 2007. 
During the public comment period a public hearing concerning the 
proposed action and the Draft EIS was held in Aliceville, Alabama on 
November 15, 2007. Approximately 214 individuals attended the public 
hearing.
    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 February 22, 2008. The 30-day review period for receipt of 
public comments concerning the Final EIS ended on March 24, 2008. 
Approximately 40 comment letters were received during the public review 
period on the Final EIS. Each of the comment letters were similar to 
comments received 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 EIS in the Federal Register, in two newspapers with local and 
regional circulations, and through three local public libraries. The 
BOP also distributed approximately 200 copies (each) of the Draft EIS 
and Final EIS to federal 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 Notice of 
Availability, 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]@bop.gov.

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

    Dated: April 29, 2008.
Issac J. Gaston,
Site Selection Specialist, Site Selection and Environmental Review 
Branch.
 [FR Doc. E8-9881 Filed 5-5-08; 8:45 am]
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