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E-mail StoryTehachapi prison expansion up for comment
| Friday, Apr 11 2008 6:42 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Apr 11 2008 11:02 PM
People with questions about a proposed expansion of the California Correctional Institution prison can have their say at a Monday meeting.
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The scoping meeting is at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the multipurpose room of the Stallion Springs Community Services District, 27850 Stallion Springs Drive.
People are advised to arrive early to get a seat.
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The Tehachapi facility is among several in Kern tapped for growth, and people can speak about what needs to be considered in an environmental review of the plans.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is proposing building a 110-acre stand-alone facility within the prison’s boundaries. There are two possible locations.
What’s proposed
State prisons are overcrowded, and 2007 legislation was enacted to alleviate these conditions and provide inmates with rehabilitation services such as drug treatment, mental health services and job training.
The prison could grow by up to 2,200 beds and other buildings that would host educational and vocational programs, health care, food service and visitors.
The expansion would require more than 800 additional employees, bringing the total number to nearly 2,900, according to the corrections department.
Concerns
In a letter, David Aranda, general manager of the Stallion Springs Community Services District, listed four areas of concern:
Water. Potable water is a premium for all communities served by the aquifer in Cummings Valley.
Sewer/wastewater. Aranda wrote the community has been waiting for the prison to have a new wastewater treatment plant for more than 20 years. Secondarily treated wastewater is sprayed onto certain areas in Cummings Valley.
A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of General Services said treatment plant bids are being reviewed. The design and construction budget is $39.7 million, said Beth Mills..
If bidders submit proposals less than that amount, a contract could be awarded in early to mid-May.
“The budget deficit and issues for this year do not impact the project,” she said, because they were set aside in a previous year.
Electrical use. Aranda’s letter states Southern California Edison has concerns about how heavily loaded the lines are in Cummings Valley. He asked how the prison expansion would increase the demand for electricity.
Traffic. Most Stallion Springs residents use Highway 202. Aranda asked how the expansion would add to the road’s use and what is planned to alleviate traffic.
Members of the Cummings Valley Protective Association submitted similar environmental concerns in a news release.
The environmental report will cover how the project could effect:
• Air quality
• Wildlife
• Hazards, hazardous materials and public health
• Hydrology and water quality
• Land use
• Employment, population, housing and community services
• Transportation and traffic
• Utilities
Staffers with the state prison system will share project details at the Monday meeting.
Paul Verke, corrections department spokesman, encourages public input.
“This project and others like it are being initiated to get the department closer to our goal of reducing overcrowding statewide, increasing access to rehabilitation programs and improving public safety,” he said.
“We look forward to hearing from everyone.”