| Corrections Proposes Day Road Site |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 24, 1999
After considering an initial report on potential prison sites, Corrections Director David S. Cook decided today to propose the Day Road site in Wilsonville for construction of a new women's correctional facility and men's and women's intake center complex.
As directed by Governor Kitzhaber's executive order #EO-99-12 issued on Friday, August 20, and consistent with a procedure specified in Senate Bill 686, Mr. Cook has until September 19 to decide whether or not to actually recommend to the governor that the site be used. Between today and September 10, the public and governmental agencies will have the opportunity to provide testimony to the director regarding the proposed site. The public and governmental agencies have until Thursday, September 2 to propose conditions regarding the site.
The report, compiled and prepared by corrections siting staff, is based on the recommendations and findings of numerous staff and consultants who have studied the site since it was first identified in early 1998. SB 686 listed numerous criteria the department could consider before proposing a site. The Day Road site was found to be sufficient.
According to the legislation, the criteria against which the sites were compared in the initial report include: local interest; availability of adequate local infrastructure to serve the complex; natural features to promote compatibility with surroundings; availability by purchase, condemnation or exchange; sufficient size and shape to accommodate the complex; prohibition against location in a 100-year flood plain or tsunami zone; adequate roads or roadway improvements available; and whether water, sewer service, drainage, and utilities are available on-site or otherwise can be provided and maintained.
Senate Bill 686 further establishes a fast-track siting process so a site could be named by Governor Kitzhaber within a month.
Timelines of which the public should be aware:
Tuesday, August 24: Department of Corrections Director Dave Cook releases the initial report for the proposed site.
Thursday, September 2: Deadline for any affected local government or any person to submit written proposed conditions to the Department of Corrections. Proposed conditions must be related to the site and the criteria outlined in the law.
Wednesday, September 8: The Department of Corrections will host an informal informational meeting between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville, 25425 Southwest 95th Avenue (just off Interstate 5 at Stafford Road exit). No testimony will be taken at this meeting.
Thursday, September 9: The Department of Corrections will hold a public hearing at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville, 25425 Southwest 95th Avenue (just off Interstate 5 at Stafford Road exit). The hearing will begin at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m. Oral and written testimony will be accepted during the public hearing.
Friday, September 10: The record will be kept open until 5:00 p.m. September 10 for receipt of additional written testimony.
Wednesday, September 15: Corrections Director Cook will issue a final report to Governor Kitzhaber regarding the proposed site.
According to Senate Bill 686, Governor Kitzhaber will review the final report and/or request other documents or materials. The legislation does not specify a date by which he must approve or disapprove the site.
Additional details regarding scheduled events listed above:
Initial Report: The initial report of August 24 will be distributed to officials named in SB 686 and will be available to the public. To obtain a copy of the report, contact the DOC Siting Office, 503-373-1572, ext. 7107.
Testimony: In addition to oral testimony provided at the public hearing September 9 at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn, written testimony may be submitted directly to the department in person or by mail or fax. Testimony must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 10, 1999, at which time the hearings record will be closed. Testimony received after the deadline cannot be accepted.
Conditions: Each proposed condition shall be stated separately, be in writing, be specific, directly relate to the criteria described in SB 686, and be supported by a statement of the need or reasons therefore. Proposed conditions must be faxed, dropped off or postmarked by September 2.
Addresses: Conditions and testimony, although having different deadlines, may be mailed, dropped off or faxed to the Department of Corrections. The physical location is: Department of Corrections, Siting Office, 1793 13th Street, SE, Salem 97302. The fax number is 503-378-6536. The deadline for conditions is 5 p.m., September 2. The deadline for testimony is 5 p.m., September 10.
Media Notice: The Department of Corrections will provide official media notice and advertise critical dates regarding the siting process in the statewide Oregonian newspaper. Additionally, news releases will be distributed to media outlets in the Wilsonville and Tualatin areas.
Final Report: The final report to Governor Kitzhaber will include Director Cook's recommendation regarding the proposed site. The final report will include any proposed conditions he deems necessary and appropriate for the site.
Additional Information: The Department of Corrections' web site includes current information and public notices regarding the proposed site at Day Road. The URL is http://www.doc.state.or.us/publicaffairs/news_release.shtml?99news/siting/siting.
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last revision 2-22-2000 peg cook
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