The Federal Bureau of Prisons is taking comments on the Final Draft Environmental Impact Statement for FCI Letcher through August 12, 2024.
Send comments by email to kshudson@bop.gov or through the Bureau of Prisons website: https://www.proposed-fci-letchercountyky.com/inquiries
Mail: Kimberly S. Hudson, Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street NW, Room 901-5320, Washington, DC 20534
Use this LINK to send your comments to your elected representatives & the Bureau of Prisons
NO NEW LETCHER PRISON
In a rare instance of bipartisan consensus, both the Trump and Biden Administrations have called on Congress to cancelthe $505 Million in funding for FCI Letcher every single year since 2018.
But Congress, at the behest of Rep. Hal Rogers, is still pursuing this fiscally, morally, and environmentally reprehensible project. In an effort to insulate prison construction from legal challenges, Rogers is now also trying to insert a non-budgetary rider into the FY25 Appropriations Bill that would limit lawsuits.
Concerned Letcher Countians and allies around the country argue that locating this proposed prison on top of a mountain top removal strip mine site will lead to new environmental damage to the land, water, and wildlife, while creating environmental health risks
for prison staff, inmates and surrounding residents.
There is zero evidence that this prison will generate jobs for the region. Conversely, study upon study demonstrates that prisons do not create economic opportunity for rural areas like Letcher County. Even the BOP admits that only a small number of jobs are likely to go to local residents, that Letcher County will not benefit from additional school children, or the need for increased medical services.
Another prison is unnecessary and a waste of YOUR taxpayer dollars.
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Letcher would be the fifth federal prison in east Kentucky alone and would cost the public $505 million.
Instead of responding in good faith to the critiques of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted in April, the Federal BOP outright ignored many substantive comments and concerns and changed almost nothing between the Draft and Final EIS,
which was released on July 12, 2024.
Send Your Comments by Monday, August 12, 2024 to the Bureau of Prisons regarding FCI Letcher,
a fiscally, morally, and environmentally reprehensible project.