Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Privatized Corrections Contracting Mandate

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact

Statement (DEIS) for the Privatized Corrections Contracting Mandate

AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact

Statement (DEIS).

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SUMMARY:

Proposed Action: The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of

Prisons (Bureau) has been given the responsibility for accommodating

within the Federal Prison system inmates currently housed by the

District of Columbia's Department of Corrections (DCDC). In doing so,

the Bureau has been mandated by Congress in the D.C. Revitalization Act

to seek private contractors to accommodate a portion of the DCDC's

inmate population. Over the next several months, the Bureau will

prepare Request for Proposals to be sent to prospective contractors

requesting proposals to house in private contract facilities

approximately 2,200 DCDC sentenced felons by December 31, 1999 and at

least 50 percent of all DCDC sentenced felons by September 30, 2003.

To ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau is undertaking preparation of a

Program Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Topics to be

studied as part of the DEIS include, but are not limited to: services,

cultural resources, land uses, social and economic factors, hazardous

materials, air and noise quality, among others. In furtherance of NEPA,

the Bureau will host a Scoping Meeting which all interested persons are

invited to attend. The purpose of this Scoping Meeting is to afford the

public, regulatory agency representatives, and elected officials an

opportunity to learn about and voice their interests and environmental

concerns regarding the Bureau's implementation of the required

privatization action.

The Scoping Meeting is being held to provide for timely public

comments and understanding of Federal plans and programs with possible

environmental consequences required by NEPA. The Scoping Meeting will

be held 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 28, 1998 at St. Luke's Church

(church hall meeting room), 4925 East Capitol Street, SE., Washington,

DC.

Alteratives: In developing the DEIS, the options of ``no action''

and

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``alternative sites'' for the proposed facility will be fully and

thoroughly examined.

Scoping Process: During the preparation of the DEIS, there will be

numerous other opportunities for public involvement.

DEIS Preparation: Public notice will be given concerning the

availability of the DEIS for public review and comment.

Address: Questions concerning the proposed action and the DEIS can

be answered by: David J. Dorworth, Chief, Site Selection &

Environmental Review Branch, Federal Bureau of Prisons, 320 First

Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20534, Telephone: (202) 514-6470,

Telefacsimile: (202) 616-6024, [email protected]

Dated: January 21, 1998.

Jeff B. Ratliff,

Acting Chief, Site Selection and Environmental Review Branch.

[FR Doc. 98-1794 Filed 1-23-98; 8:45 am]

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