| Prison Siting Back on Track |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 20, 1999
Governor John Kitzhaber signed two bills today to move forward the siting process of a women's correctional facility and men's and women's intake center complex. Senate Bill 686 defines the parameters of an expedient siting process for the much-needed prison complex. House Bill 3446 removes the former Dammasch State Hospital from consideration for a prison and puts into law a process for selling the property with proceeds to benefit housing for the mentally ill.
Consistent with the terms of Senate Bill 686, Governor John Kitzhaber today also signed an executive order (# EO-99-12) permitting the siting process defined in SB 686 to begin. The executive order directs Corrections Director Dave Cook to propose a potential site in the tri-county area of Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
According to the legislation, Director Cook must consider a number of criteria before proposing a site to Governor Kitzhaber. Those criteria 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 on 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 establishes a fast-track siting process that could result in a site being named by Governor Kitzhaber within a month. Exact timelines of which the public should be aware are set forth in the legislation.
Critical dates are:
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: : Department of Corrections officials will hold an informational meeting near the proposed site. Location and time will be announced once a site has been proposed.
Thursday, September 9: Public hearing will be held by Corrections Director Dave Cook. Location and time will be announced once a site has been proposed.
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, people should contact the DOC Siting Office, 503-373-1572, ext. 7107.
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 therefor. Conditions may be mailed to or dropped off at the Department of Corrections, Siting Office, 1793 13th Street, SE, Salem 97302. Proposed conditions must be dropped off or postmarked by September 2.
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 county or counties where the site is located.
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.
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last revision 2-22-2000 peg cook
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