[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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