California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Public Notice Announcement

Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting for the  Proposed Closure of the California Correctional Center (CCC) Project in Susanville, CA

In accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has released for public review a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Closure of the California Correctional Center (CCC) Project in Susanville, CA.  CDCR will be holding a public scoping meeting to present information on the proposed project and solicit comments on the scope of the EIR.

In compliance with Section 5003.7 of the California Penal Code, CDCR is required to notify the State budget committees of the California State Assembly and California State Senate, as well as the Legislative Analyst’s Office, of two specific State-owned and -operated prisons proposed for closure. The CDCR Secretary has identified the Deuel Vocational Institution (closed as of September 30, 2021) and the California Correctional Center (CCC). CDCR is proposing to close CCC, in part, because of the overall statewide decline since 2010 of more than 52,000 incarcerated persons housed in State correctional facilities. CDCR projects a long-term population decrease, which allows CCC to close without compromising the safety and security or the overall welfare of the incarcerated population at the remaining active correctional facilities. The CCC closure also would not affect any ongoing statewide CDCR programs including rehabilitative programs, health care, or other requirements mandated by the federal courts.

Although CDCR plans to cease operations at CCC, a reduced number of personnel would be retained to ensure that the facility is maintained in operating condition. Operation of neighboring High Desert State Prison (HDSP) would continue, with the responsibility of operating some facilities that HDSP shares with CCC to be transferred to HDSP. This transition to a fully closed facility would result in the retention of approximately 10 staff to minimize deterioration of critical facility infrastructure and maintain the perimeter’s secure fencing. No public access would be allowed on the grounds without advance approval. Security would be maintained 7 days a week.

Environmental Effects: CDCR has concluded that the proposed project may result in significant environmental effects and determined that an EIR is necessary. CDCR is initiating preparation of an EIR to analyze the potentially significant direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of construction and operation of the proposed project. The EIR will describe the potential for the proposed project to result in physical environmental changes to each resource area identified below. CDCR will consider comments received to determine the scope of the issues to be addressed in the EIR. Mitigation measures will be identified, where appropriate, to avoid and reduce any significant impact to less-than-significant, if feasible.

Scoping Meeting: CDCR will facilitate a virtual scoping meeting to present information on the proposed project and solicit oral comments from agencies and the public on the scope and content of the EIR on January 27, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Please register in advance for this webinar using the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SUvAzehdQLWegZp1FVJUnw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

NOP Public Comment: CDCR is requesting public and agency comments on the NOP. The NOP can be found online using the following link: CDCR CCC Closure NOP

Hardcopies can be found at CDCR offices (9838 Old Placerville Road, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95817) and Chino Branch Library (13180 Central Avenue, Chino, CA 91710).

The NOP review period begins January 11, 2022 and ends February 14, 2022. Comments may be sent anytime during this NOP review period. Please include the name of a contact person for your agency or organization, if applicable, and the project name in the subject line. All comments should be directed to:

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Facility Planning, Construction and Management Division

Attention: Peter J. Connelly Jr.

P.O. Box 942833

Sacramento, California 94283-0001

E-mail: CCCClosure@ascentenvironmental.com