Public Notice – Availability of Environmental Assessment

Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Acquisition and Activation of Thomson Correctional Center as Administrative United States PenitentiaryThomson
Thomson, Illinois

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (the Bureau) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. The Bureau is considering acquiring TCC to address an acute shortage of high-security, maximum-custody bed space for male federal inmates. Under the proposed action, the Bureau would acquire TCC from Illinois; convert, activate, and operate the facility as Administrative United States Penitentiary Thomson; and relocate between 1,800 and 2,000 inmates to TCC from other federal correctional facilities. Two alternatives for the implementation of the proposed action were considered, as well as a No Action Alternative. Implementing the proposed action is not expected to result in significant environmental impacts; therefore, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The EA is available for review and comment for 30 calendar days from September 1–October 1, 2010. The EA can be accessed on the Bureau’s Web site at http://www.bop.gov/news/index.jsp. Copies of the EA have also been provided to public libraries within the region of influence (all counties within about a 60-mile radius of Thomson, Illinois). If you require a printed copy of the EA, please send a request to Thomson or call Ms. Amber Marriott at (703) 385-6000.The Bureau will host a public meeting on September 9, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck’s Barn Resort, 5020 Illinois Highway 84, Thomson, IL 61285-7695. Representatives of the Bureau will provide an overview of the proposed action and alternatives, and the findings of the EA. Meeting participants will have the opportunity to provide written or verbal comments on the EA at the meeting, or at any time during the 30-day comment period. If you require the services of a sign language interpreter at the public meeting, please contact Ms. Marriott, or send a request by email no later than September 4, 2010.

All comments on the EA should be submitted to the Bureau, no later than October 1, 2010, by e-mail to , or by mail addressed to Federal Bureau of Prisons, Real Estate and Environmental Law Branch, Office of General Counsel, ATTN: Mr. Jeff Limjoco, 320 First Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20534.

Subject to review and consideration of comments submitted by individuals, organizations, or agencies during the comment period, the Bureau intends to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI). The Bureau will issue a Notice of Availability of the FNSI, after which, the Bureau intends to proceed with the proposed action.