[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81809-81810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27148]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Prisons


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Revised Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed United States 
Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp in Letcher County, Kentucky

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) announces its 
intent to prepare a Supplement to the March 2016 Revised Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (RFEIS) for ``Proposed United States 
Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp Letcher County, Kentucky.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Issac Gaston, Site Selection 
Specialist; U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 
First Street NW., Washington, DC 20534; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Supplemental RFEIS is being prepared to 
address substantial changes to the proposed action that are relevant to 
environmental concerns, as required under NEPA [40 CFR 1502.9(c)], and 
will assess any new circumstances or information relevant to potential 
environmental impacts.
    In March 2016, the Bureau completed the Revised Final EIS for the 
Proposed United States Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp, Letcher 
County, Kentucky, which evaluated the potential environmental impacts 
from the acquisition of property and construction and operation of a 
new United States Penitentiary, Federal Prison Camp, ancillary 
facilities, and access roads in Letcher County. The RFEIS analyzed two 
potential locations: An approximately 753-acre site in eastern Letcher 
County (Alternative 1-Payne Gap), and an approximately 700-acre site in 
western Letcher County (Alternative 2-Roxana). The RFEIS identified 
Alternative 2-Roxana as the preferred alternative because it best meets 
the project needs and, on balance, would have fewer impacts to the 
natural and built environment.
    The Bureau was originally considering acquiring approximately 700 
acres at the Roxana site for this project. In an effort to reduce 
potentially impacted property, the Bureau is removing two parcels of 
land at the Roxana site from acquisition consideration, resulting in a 
proposed site of approximately 570 acres. This reduction in site size 
has necessitated modifying the facilities layout evaluated for 
Alternative 2-Roxana in the RFEIS. The environmental impacts of the 
modified Alternative 2-Roxana will be analyzed in the Supplemental 
RFEIS. The alternatives to be evaluated in the Supplemental RFEIS 
include the No Action Alternative and Alternative 2-Roxana.
    The Supplemental RFEIS will analyze potential environmental impacts 
that may result from the modified alternative, including, but not 
limited to, land use and zoning; topography, geology, and soils; air 
quality; noise; cultural resources; water resources; and biological 
resources. The Supplemental RFEIS analysis will evaluate direct, 
indirect, and cumulative impacts. Relevant and reasonable measures that 
could avoid or mitigate environmental impacts will also be analyzed. 
Additionally, the Bureau will undertake any consultations required by 
applicable laws or regulations.
    The Bureau will issue a Draft Supplemental RFEIS for a 45-day 
public comment period, during which a public meeting will be held in 
the community of Whitesburg. A notice of availability of the Draft 
Supplemental RFEIS and a notice of public meeting will be published in 
the Federal Register and in area newspapers in advance of the release 
of the Draft Supplemental RFEIS and the public meeting. Those notices 
will identify further details about the public meeting and the specific 
opportunities and methods for the public to provide comments on the 
Draft Supplemental RFEIS.
    The mailing list for the Draft Supplemental RFEIS will be based on 
the mailing list in the 2016 RFEIS. Those on this list will receive a 
copy of

[[Page 81810]]

the Draft Supplemental RFEIS. This list includes local, state, and 
federal agencies with jurisdiction, elected officials and community 
leaders, businesses and organizations, and other interested parties and 
individuals. Anyone wishing to be added to the mailing list to receive 
a copy of the Draft Supplemental RFEIS may request to be added by 
contacting the Bureau's Site Selection Specialist at the address below.
    Following issuance of the Draft Supplemental RFEIS and completion 
of the 45-day public comment period on the Draft Supplemental RFEIS, 
the Bureau will issue a Final Supplemental RFEIS that will include 
comments received during the public comment period on the Draft 
Supplemental RFEIS. The Final Supplemental RFEIS will also include the 
Bureau's response to substantive comments received on the Draft 
Supplemental RFEIS. Following publication of the Final Supplemental 
RFEIS, a 30-day review period will be provided. No action will be taken 
to implement any of the proposed alternatives until completion of the 
30-day review period on the Final Supplemental RFEIS and issuance of a 
Record of Decision on behalf of the Bureau by its Director or Acting 
Director.

    Dated: November 4, 2016.
Issac Gaston,
Site Selection Specialist, Capacity, Planning and Construction, U.S. 
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons.
[FR Doc. 2016-27148 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
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