Environmental Assessment for the
Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Acquisition and Activation of
Thomson Correctional Center as
Administrative United States Penitentiary Thomson
Thomson, Illinois

Prepared for:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Prepared by:

Tetra Tech, Inc.
Fairfax, Virginia
August 2010

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ORGANIZATION
This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the acquisition and
activation of the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is
considering acquiring TCC in order to address an acute shortage of male high-security, maximum-custody
bed space for federal inmates. The EA has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (Title 42 of the United States Code, Sections 4321−4347);
the Council on Environmental Quality’s Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act (Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Parts 1500–1508);
and 28 CFR Part 61, Appendix A, Bureau of Prisons Procedures Relating to the Implementation of the
National Environmental Policy Act. The purpose of this EA is to inform decisionmakers and the public of
the likely environmental and socioeconomic consequences of the proposed action and alternatives.
An EXECUTIVE SUMMARY briefly describes the proposed action, environmental and socioeconomic
consequences, and mitigation measures.
SECTION 1.0:

PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPE summarize the purpose of and need for the
Proposed Action and describes the scope of the environmental impact analysis
process.

SECTION 2.0:

PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES describes the Proposed Action of
federal acquisition and operation of TCC and examines alternatives to implementing
the Proposed Action.

SECTION 3.0:

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES describes the existing
environmental and socioeconomic setting at the proposed site and identifies the
potential effects of implementing the Proposed Action and the No Action
Alternative.

SECTION 4.0:

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS summarizes the environmental and
socioeconomic effects of implementing the Proposed Action and No Action
Alternative.

SECTION 5.0:

REFERENCES provides bibliographical information for cited sources.

SECTION 6.0:

PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED provides a list of persons and
agencies consulted during preparation of this EA.

SECTION 7.0:

LIST OF PREPARERS identifies the persons who prepared the document.

SECTION 8.0:

DISTRIBUTION LIST indicates recipients of this EA.

APPENDICES

A
B

Presidential Directive, December 15, 2009
Agency Coordination Letters

An ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS list is provided at the end of the document.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

LEAD AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Prisons
TITLE OF PROPOSED ACTION: Acquisition and Activation of Thomson Correctional Center as
Administrative United States Penitentiary (USP) Thomson
AFFECTED JURISDICTION: Carroll County, Illinois
PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia
APPROVED BY: HARLEY G. LAPPIN, Director, Bureau of Prisons
ABSTRACT: This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the
acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. The Federal
Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) is considering acquiring TCC in order to address an acute shortage of highsecurity, maximum-custody bed space for male federal inmates. Under the proposed action, the Bureau
would acquire TCC from the State of Illinois; convert, activate, and maintain the facility as
Administrative USP Thomson; and relocate between 1,800 and 2,000 inmates to TCC from other federal
facilities. Two alternatives for the implementation of the Proposed Action are examined, as well as a No
Action Alternative. Implementing the Proposed Action is not expected to result in significant
environmental impacts. Therefore, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required, and
a Finding of No Significant Impact will be published in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act.
REVIEW COMMENT DEADLINE: The EA is available for review and comment for 30 calendar days
from the publication of a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Prairie Advocate and the Daily Gazette
newspapers. The EA is available on the Bureau’s Web site at http://www.bop.gov/news/index.jsp. Copies
of the EA also have been provided to libraries within the region of influence, as identified in Section 8.0,
Distribution List, of this EA. Comments on the EA should be submitted to Mr. Jeff Limjoco of the
Federal Bureau of Prisons, no later than 30 days from the publication of the NOA by email to
ThomsonEA@tetratech.com, or by mail addressed to Federal Bureau of Prisons, Real Estate and
Environmental Law Branch, Office of General Counsel, ATTN: Mr. Jeff Limjoco, 320 First Street,
N.W., Washington D.C. 20534.

This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Assessment

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ES.1 INTRODUCTION
This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the
Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) proposal to acquire and activate Thomson Correctional
Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. TCC is located approximately one mile northwest of the
Village of Thomson, Illinois. The Illinois Department of Corrections constructed TCC in 2001 for
1,600 maximum-security and 200 minimum-security inmates. The principal facilities consist of
eight 200-bed housing units for maximum-security inmates; one minimum-security unit for
approximately 200 inmates; and facilities for administrative functions, inmate programs and
support, and warehouse space. The minimum-security unit was used for the custody of
approximately 200 inmates until 2010; the eight 200-bed housing units for maximum-security
inmates were never used. The State of Illinois closed TCC in 2010.

ES.2 PROPOSED ACTION
The Bureau proposes to acquire and operate TCC as maximum-security United States
Penitentiary (USP), Administrative USP Thomson, for the care and custody of 1,800 to 2,000
federal inmates. To operate Administrative USP Thomson, the Bureau would transfer about 350
trained federal correctional officers and staff from other Bureau facilities. In addition, the Bureau
would hire approximately 550 new personnel from the local region and train them for correctional
duties. No construction and only minor renovations/modifications would take place. Physical
renovations/modifications to the facility would be minimal because the facility was originally
constructed as a maximum-security prison. The Bureau would be able to begin the activation
process and have the first inmates housed in the facility in less than one year from the time that
funding is appropriated by Congress

ES.3 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Under the No Action Alternative, the Bureau would not acquire TCC for Bureau use.
Presumably, the State of Illinois would find another buyer or another use for TCC. The Bureau
would continue to house federal inmates at their present locations. Inclusion of the No Action
Alternative in this EA is prescribed by CEQ regulations. The No Action Alternative serves as a
benchmark against which the federal action can be evaluated.

ES. 4 PURPOSE AND NEED
The Bureau is considering acquiring TCC in order to address an acute shortage of male highsecurity, maximum-custody bed space (hereinafter, high-security beds) for federal inmates.
Currently, the Bureau’s high-security institutions are operating at 52 percent over the rated
capacity, and continuing increases in the federal inmate population pose substantial ongoing
challenges for the Bureau. A variety of measures have been undertaken in recent years to
accommodate the growth of the federal inmate population, including acquisition and adaptation
of existing facilities, expansion and improvement of existing correctional facilities, expanded use
of contract beds, and construction of new institutions. The Bureau is in immediate need of a new
facility to alleviate the serious issue of overcrowding and resolve the acute shortage of highsecurity beds.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

ES-1

Environmental Assessment

Separate and apart from this preexisting critical shortage of high-security beds, the President
issued a directive on December 15, 2009. This Presidential directive required the Attorney
General to “acquire and activate” the “Thomson Correctional Center (TCC) in Thomson, Illinois”
in order to help “reduce the Bureau of Prisons’ shortage of high security, maximum custody cell
space.”

ES. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
The environmental resources evaluated in the EA are land use, visual and aesthetic resources, air
quality, noise, soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics,
transportation, utilities, and hazardous and toxic substances. A summary of the expected
environmental effects follows.
Land Use
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Visual and Aesthetic Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Air Quality
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on air quality would be
expected. The effects would be from air emissions during minor renovations and from
new vehicle trips from staff and visitors at TCC. The increases in emissions would be de
minimis (of minimal importance) and not regionally significant, and they would not
contribute to a violation of any federal, state, or local air regulation.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Noise
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on the noise
environment would be expected. The noise would not exceed the standards determined
by federal, state, or local regulations. No construction and only minor
renovations/modifications would take place, and no increase in noise from these sources
is anticipated. Operation of the proposed activities at TCC would not generate disruptive
noise levels at the adjacent residences. Long-term changes in traffic would not constitute
a perceptible change in the noise environment. These effects would be negligible.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

ES-2

Environmental Assessment

Soils
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Water Resources
Proposed Action. Negligible effects on surface water would be expected from
implementing the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action would be expected to raise the
total population at TCC and increase the demand for public water services (drinking
water supply and waste water treatment); however, the existing storage and treatment
capacity exceeds the expected increase in demand. The Proposed Action would not
contribute pollutants identified on the section 303(d) list as causing impairment.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Biological Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Cultural Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Socioeconomics
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term minor beneficial effects on the economic
environment within the region of influence would be expected. Short-term minor
beneficial effects would be expected from renovation activities at TCC. Long-term minor
beneficial economic effects would be expected from activation and operation of TCC as
Administrative USP Thomson.
No adverse effects on population would be expected.
Short-term minor adverse effects from potential lodging shortages and long-term
beneficial effects on the housing and lodging markets would be expected.
Long-term minor beneficial effects would be expected on law enforcement, fire
protection, and medical services. No adverse effects on schools would be expected.
Short-term minor adverse and long-term minor beneficial effects would be expected on
support services, shopping, and recreation.
No effects would be expected with respect to environmental justice or protection of
children.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

ES-3

Environmental Assessment

Transportation
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term minor adverse effects on transportation resources
would be expected. The effects would be due to minor changes in localized traffic
patterns from the additional personnel and visitors at TCC.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Utilities
Proposed Action. No measurable adverse effects on utility systems would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Hazardous and Toxic Substances
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects related to hazardous
materials, toxic substances, and petroleum constituents would be expected from
implementing the Proposed Action. In the short term, renovations/modifications might
involve the use of equipment, which might result in minor spills from engines and
equipment operation. Implementing best management practices during
renovations/modifications would ensure that any leaks or spills would be negligible. Over
the long term, there would be an increased use of materials such as petroleum, oils,
lubricants, solvents, and paints from the motor pool and operation and maintenance
activities.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Cumulative effects. Cumulative effects could occur with respect to air quality, socioeconomics,
and traffic and transportation. None of the cumulative effects would be significant.
Mitigation. The EA considered mitigation actions to reduce, avoid, or compensate for adverse
effects. No mitigation measures were identified.

ES. 6 CONCLUSION
Analyses in the EA show that implementation of the Proposed Action would not result in
significant environmental or socioeconomic effects. Issuance of a Finding of No Significant
Impact would be appropriate, and an Environmental Impact Statement would not be required
prior to implementation of the Proposed Action.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

ES-4

Environmental Assessment

CONTENTS
SECTION 1.0
PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPE ........................................................... 1-1
1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................1-1
1.2 SCOPE ...........................................................................................................................1-2
1.3 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ...........................................................................................1-2
1.4 FRAMEWORK FOR DECISION MAKING ................................................................1-3
SECTION 2.0
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND
ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................2-1
2.2 PROPOSED ACTION ...................................................................................................2-1
2.3 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE .....................................................................................2-1
2.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER
CONSIDERATION OR DETAILED STUDY .............................................................2-4
2.4.1 Standish Maximum Correctional Facility Alternative .........................................2-4
2.4.2 Joint Bureau and DoD Use of TCC Alternative ..................................................2-5
SECTION 3.0
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES ................... 3-1
3.1 LAND USE....................................................................................................................3-1
3.1.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-1
3.1.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-1
3.2 VISUAL AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES ................................................................3-1
3.2.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-1
3.2.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-2
3.2.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-2
3.2.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-2
3.3 AIR QUALITY ..............................................................................................................3-2
3.3.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-2
3.3.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-3
3.3.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-3
3.3.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-3
3.4 NOISE ...........................................................................................................................3-3
3.4.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-3
3.4.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-4
3.4.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-4
3.4.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-4
3.5 SOILS ............................................................................................................................3-4
3.5.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-4
3.5.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-4
3.5.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-4
3.5.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-4
3.6 WATER RESOURCES .................................................................................................3-4
3.6.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-4
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

i

Environmental Assessment

3.6.1.1 Surface Water.......................................................................................... 3-4
3.6.1.2 Groundwater ........................................................................................... 3-6
3.6.1.3 Floodplains.............................................................................................. 3-6
3.6.1.4 Wetlands ................................................................................................. 3-6
3.6.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-6
3.6.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-6
3.6.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-7
3.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................3-7
3.7.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-7
3.7.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-8
3.7.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-8
3.7.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-9
3.8 CULTURAL RESOURCES ..........................................................................................3-9
3.8.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-9
3.8.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 3-9
3.8.2.1 Proposed Action ...................................................................................... 3-9
3.8.2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................. 3-9
3.9 SOCIOECONOMICS ....................................................................................................3-9
3.9.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................... 3-9
3.9.1.1 Economic Environment ........................................................................ 3-10
3.9.1.2 Demographics ....................................................................................... 3-11
3.9.1.3 Housing ................................................................................................. 3-13
3.9.1.4 Quality of Life ...................................................................................... 3-17
3.9.1.5 Environmental Justice ........................................................................... 3-22
3.9.1.6 Protection of Children ........................................................................... 3-22
3.9.2 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................ 3-22
3.9.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................... 3-22
3.9.2.1.1 Economic Environment ...................................................... 3-22
3.9.2.1.2 Demographics ..................................................................... 3-25
3.9.2.1.3 Housing ............................................................................... 3-26
3.9.2.1.4 Quality of Life .................................................................... 3-26
3.9.2.1.5 Environmental Justice ......................................................... 3-28
3.9.2.1.6 Protection of Children ........................................................ 3-28
3.9.2.2 No Action Alternative ........................................................................... 3-28
3.10 TRANSPORTATION..................................................................................................3-29
3.10.1 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-29
3.10.2 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................... 3-29
3.10.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................. 3-29
3.10.2.2 No Action Alternative ......................................................................... 3-29
3.11 UTILITIES ..................................................................................................................3-30
3.11.1 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-30
3.11.1.1 Potable Water Supply ........................................................................ 3-30
3.11.1.2 Wastewater System ............................................................................ 3-30
3.11.1.3 Energy Sources .................................................................................. 3-30
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

ii

Environmental Assessment

3.11.1.4 Communications ................................................................................ 3-30
3.11.1.5 Solid Waste ........................................................................................ 3-31
3.11.1.6 Storm Water ....................................................................................... 3-31
3.11.2 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................... 3-31
3.11.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................. 3-31
3.11.2.2 No Action Alternative ......................................................................... 3-31
3.12 HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES ...........................................................3-32
3.12.1 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-32
3.12.2 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................... 3-32
3.12.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................. 3-32
3.12.2.2 No Action Alternative ......................................................................... 3-32
3.13 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS SUMMARY ....................................................................3-32
3.14 MITIGATION SUMMARY ........................................................................................3-33
SECTION 4.0
CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................... 4-1
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...................................................................................4-1
4.2 RESULTS OF ANALYSIS ...........................................................................................4-3
SECTION 5.0
REFERENCES ......................................................................................... 5-1
SECTION 6.0
PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED ........................................ 6-1
SECTION 7.0
LIST OF PREPARERS ........................................................................... 7-1
SECTION 8.0
DISTRIBUTION LIST ............................................................................ 8-1
APPENDICES
Appendix A

Presidential Directive, December 15, 2009.......................................................... A-1

Appendix B

Agency Coordination Letters ............................................................................... B-1

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
FIGURES
Figure 2-1 General Location Map................................................................................................. 2-2
Figure 2-2 Aerial View of Thomson Correctional Center. ........................................................... 2-3
Figure 3-1 Watershed.................................................................................................................... 3-5
TABLES
Table 3.7-1 Federally listed species known to occur in Carroll County, Illinois.......................... 3-8
Table 3.9-1 Counties in the ROI ................................................................................................. 3-10
Table 3.9-2 ROI labor force and unemployment ........................................................................ 3-11
Table 3.9-3 ROI, state, and national unemployment rates .......................................................... 3-11
Table 3.9-4 Income, 2000 and 2007 ........................................................................................... 3-11
Table 3.9-5 Population ................................................................................................................ 3-12
Table 3.9-6 Housing units and costs ........................................................................................... 3-14
Table 3.9-7 Vacant units available for sale or rent in the 60-mile-radius ROI ........................... 3-14
Table 3.9-8 Vacant units available for sale or rent within a 20-, 30-, and 40-mile radius of
Thomson, Illinois ................................................................................................. 3-15
Table 3.9-9 Hotels and motels near Thomson, Illinois ............................................................... 3-16
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

iii

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-10 ROI full-time law enforcement personnel by county ........................................... 3-18
Table 3.9-11 Hospitals in the ROI ............................................................................................. 3-19
Table 3.9-12 Bureau estimated staffing and expenditures for the Proposed Action .................. 3-23
Table 3.9-13 IMPLAN Output – Year 1 .................................................................................... 3-24
Table 3.9-14 IMPLAN Output – Year 2 .................................................................................... 3-24
Table 3.9-15 IMPLAN Output – Year 3 .................................................................................... 3-24
Table 3.9-16 IMPLAN Output – Summary ............................................................................... 3-24
Table 3.10-1 Estimated peak traffic from the Proposed Action................................................. 3-29

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

iv

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 1.0
PURPOSE, NEED, AND SCOPE
1.1

PURPOSE AND NEED
This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the
acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. The
Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) is considering acquiring TCC in order to address an acute
shortage of male high-security, maximum-custody bed space (hereinafter, high-security beds) for
federal inmates. The EA has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (Title 42 of the United States Code
[U.S.C.], Sections 4321−4347); the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Regulations for
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (Title 40 of
the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Parts 1500–1508); and 28 CFR Part 61, Appendix A,
Bureau of Prisons Procedures Relating to the Implementation of the National Environmental
Policy Act.
The Bureau is responsible for carrying out judgments of the federal courts whenever a period of
confinement is ordered. The mission of the Bureau is to protect society by confining offenders in
the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane,
cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement
opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens. Federal court sentencing
guidelines are resulting in longer terms of confinement for serious crimes.
Currently, the Bureau’s high-security institutions are operating at 52 percent over the rated
capacity, and continuing increases in the federal inmate population pose substantial ongoing
challenges for the Bureau. For example, in 2008 the Bureau had a shortage of 6,766 high-security
beds. The shortage in 2009 was 6,614 beds. In 2010 it is expected to be 7,172 beds, and in 2011 it
is projected to be 7,822 beds. A variety of measures have been undertaken in recent years to
accommodate the growth of the federal inmate population, including acquisition and adaptation of
existing facilities, expansion and improvement of existing correctional facilities, expanded use of
contract beds, and construction of new institutions. Two medium-security federal institutions for
male inmates are under construction, and they will provide a total of approximately 2,500 beds
once activated. However, no additional construction projects or federal acquisitions have been
funded to address the immediate and continuing need for additional high-security beds. The
Bureau is in immediate need of a new facility to alleviate the serious issue of overcrowding and
resolve the acute shortage of high-security beds. A typical Bureau high-security institution has
highly secure perimeters (either walled or double-fenced with a taut wire fence); multiple- and
single-occupant cell housing; guard towers, electrified fences, or both; and close staff supervision
and movement control.
Separate and apart from this preexisting critical shortage of high-security beds, the President
issued a directive on December 15, 2009. This Presidential directive required the Attorney General
to “acquire and activate” the “Thomson Correctional Center (TCC) in Thomson, Illinois” in order
to help “reduce the Bureau of Prisons’ shortage of high security, maximum custody cell space”
and also make available to the Department of Defense “a sufficient portion of the TCC to serve as
a detention facility to be operated by the Department of Defense in order to accommodate the
relocation of detainees by the Secretary of Defense…currently held at Guantanamo Bay Naval
Base.” A copy of the Presidential directive is provided in Appendix A. The President’s budget

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

1-1

Environmental Assessment

submission to Congress for fiscal year 2011 requested approximately $237 million for the Bureau
to acquire, activate, and operate TCC. Congress, however, has restricted the ability of the
Department of Defense (DoD) to relocate detainees from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
(Guantanamo). Moreover, the Bureau’s acute shortage of high-security beds is not connected to
the possibility that DoD might at some time in the future be able to relocate detainees from
Guantanamo to the United States. Accordingly, this EA does not address the potential
environmental impacts that might arise if in the future it becomes possible for DoD to relocate
detainees from Guantanamo and use a portion of TCC to house them in the United States. If DoD
is permitted to relocate detainees to the United States at some time in the future, DoD will prepare
any documents required under NEPA at the appropriate time.

1.2

SCOPE
This EA identifies, documents, and evaluates the environmental effects of the Bureau’s
acquisition and activation of TCC. Its purpose is to inform decisionmakers and the public of the
likely environmental consequences of the Proposed Action and alternatives.
An interdisciplinary team of environmental scientists, biologists, planners, economists, engineers,
archaeologists, and historians has analyzed the Proposed Action and alternatives in light of
existing conditions and has identified relevant beneficial and adverse effects associated with the
action. The Bureau’s Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative are described in Section 2.0.
Conditions existing as of December 2009, considered the “baseline” conditions, are described in
Section 3.0, Environmental Conditions and Consequences. The expected effects of the Proposed
Action, also described in Section 3.0, are presented immediately following the description of
baseline conditions for each environmental resource addressed in detail in the EA. Section 3.0
also addresses the potential for cumulative effects, and mitigation measures are identified where
appropriate.
This EA fully examines the potential environmental impacts of the acquisition and activation of
TCC by the Bureau. The EA also fully examines the impacts of reasonable alternatives to the
Proposed Action, to the extent such alternatives may be implemented consistent with relevant
laws, Executive orders, and Presidential directives.

1.3

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Under regulations issued by the CEQ,1 the evaluation of potential environmental effects of federal
actions is open to public participation. Public participation in the NEPA process promotes both
open communications between the public and the Bureau and better decisionmaking. All persons
and organizations that have a potential interest in the Proposed Action are urged to participate in
the NEPA environmental analysis process.
Public participation opportunities with respect to the Proposed Action and this EA are guided by
Bureau regulations. The Bureau will make the EA available for 30 days for public comment,
beginning with publication of a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Prairie Advocate and the
Daily Gazette newspapers. The Bureau will also host a public meeting during the 30-day
comment period. The meeting will give the public an opportunity to learn more about the
proposed action, speak with representatives of the Bureau, and provide written or verbal

1

Council on Environmental Quality, Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act, 40 CFR Parts 1500–1508.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

1-2

Environmental Assessment

comments regarding the EA. The NOA will identify the date, time, and location of the public
meeting. During this review period, the Bureau will consider comments submitted by agencies,
organizations, or members of the public on EA. At the conclusion of the review period, the
Bureau will, if appropriate, execute and Finding of No Significant Impact FNSI, and proceed with
the Proposed Action2.

1.4

FRAMEWORK FOR DECISIONMAKING
A decision on whether to proceed with the Proposed Action rests on numerous factors, such as
the Bureau’s mission requirements and schedule, the availability of funding, and environmental
considerations. In addressing environmental considerations, the Bureau is guided by several
relevant statutes (and their implementing regulations) and Executive orders (EOs) that establish
standards and provide guidance on environmental and natural resources management and
planning. These include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Noise Control Act, Endangered
Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act,
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Energy Policy Act, Energy Independence and Security
Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act. EOs bearing on the Proposed Action include EO 11988
(Floodplain Management); EO 11990 (Protection of Wetlands); EO 12088 (Federal Compliance
with Pollution Control Standards); EO 12580 (Superfund Implementation); EO 12898 (Federal
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations); EO 13045 (Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks); EO 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments); EO 13186
(Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds); EO 13423 (Strengthening
Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management); and EO 13514 (Federal
Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance). These authorities are
addressed throughout this EA when relevant to particular environmental resources and conditions.

2

If it is determined that implementing the Proposed Action would result in significant impacts, the Bureau would (a)
publish in the Federal Register a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, (b) determine and commit to
mitigation actions sufficient to reduce impacts below significance thresholds, or (c) not take the action.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

1-3

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

1-4

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 2.0
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
2.1

INTRODUCTION
This section describes the actions associated with acquiring TCC and converting it to a
maximum-security facility known as Administrative USP Thomson for use by the Bureau. The
Bureau proposes to relocate between 1,800 and 2,000 federal prisoners to Administrative USP
Thomson from other federal facilities. The Proposed Action as presented in Section 2.2 is the
agency’s preferred alternative. Section 2.3 identifies the No Action Alternative. Section 2.4
identifies alternatives that were considered but eliminated from detailed study.

2.2

PROPOSED ACTION
The Bureau proposes to acquire and operate TCC as maximum-security United States
Penitentiary, Administrative USP Thomson, for the care and custody of 1,800 to 2,000 federal
inmates. TCC is located approximately one mile northwest of the Village of Thomson, Illinois
(Figure 2-1). The Illinois Department of Corrections constructed TCC in 2001 for 1,600
maximum-security and 200 minimum-security inmates. The principal facilities consist of eight
200-bed housing units for maximum-security inmates; one minimum-security unit for
approximately 200 inmates; and facilities for administrative functions, inmate programs and
support, and warehouse space. The minimum-security unit was used for the custody of
approximately 200 inmates until 2010; the eight 200-bed housing units for maximum-security
inmates were never used. The State of Illinois closed TCC in 2010. Figure 2-2 provides an aerial
view of the TCC facilities.
To operate Administrative USP Thomson, the Bureau would transfer about 350 trained federal
correctional officers and staff from other Bureau facilities. In addition, the Bureau would hire
approximately 550 new personnel from the local region and train them for correctional duties.
Physical modifications to the facility would be minimal because the facility was originally
constructed as a maximum-security prison. The Bureau would be able to begin the activation
process and have the first inmates housed in the facility in less than one year from the time that
funding is appropriated by Congress.

2.3

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
This document refers to continuing existing conditions of the affected environment, without
implementing the Proposed Action, as the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action
Alternative, the Bureau would not acquire TCC for Bureau use. Presumably, the State of Illinois
would find another buyer or another use for TCC. The Bureau would continue to house federal
inmates at their present locations. Inclusion of the No Action Alternative in this EA is prescribed
by CEQ regulations. The No Action Alternative serves as a benchmark against which the federal
action can be evaluated.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

2-1

Environmental Assessment

2.4
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER
CONSIDERATION OR DETAILED STUDY
The Bureau initially considered two alternatives to the proposed action, as described in the
subsections below. Neither alternative was viable, and therefore neither was carried forward for
detailed study in the EA.
2.4.1

Standish Maximum Correctional Facility Alternative
The Bureau also considered acquiring and modifying the Standish Maximum Correctional
Facility (SMF) to help it address its acute shortage of high-security bed space. The SMF is
located on a 120-acre reservation along State Highway 61, approximately one mile east of
Interstate 75 near the town of Standish, Michigan. The facility comprises five 88-bed housing
units, one 164-bed unit, and other buildings to provide food service, health care, maintenance,
programming, and administrative functions. The SMF could hold approximately 964 inmates and
was designed as a high-security facility. The Michigan Department of Corrections employed
approximately 312 staff to operate the SMF, which was constructed in 1990. It was operated as a
maximum-security facility from 1990 to 2009. The State of Michigan closed the facility
October 31, 2009, as a result of the high cost of operating a maximum-security prison in
Michigan.
The much smaller size and capacity of the facility and its age (20 years) would require the Bureau
to renovate and modify the SMF to make it a high-security, maximum-custody Bureau facility.
These modifications would include, but would not be limited to, renovating/expanding the food
services area and visiting rooms, upgrading the Sallyport, and renovating administrative support
facilities. The Bureau would also need to add high-security outer perimeter fencing, additional
gates, a groundwater storage tank, and a receiving and discharge area. In order to increase the
capacity of the existing facility the Bureau would have to add another housing unit, and a new
prison camp. The land adjacent to the facility is farmlands and wetlands. Depending on the size of
the additional parcel necessary to support a larger Bureau facility, there might be a need to
address impacts on wetlands. The Bureau would have to complete the necessary environmental
studies, an appraisal, title work, and surveys for the property it was interested in acquiring before
it could begin to negotiate to acquire the facility and any additional property.
In acquiring an existing facility such as the SMF, it would normally take the Bureau 6 to 12
months to complete the necessary environmental studies required under NEPA. It usually takes
the Bureau 6 months to complete an EA and 12 months to complete an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). Once the Bureau completed the necessary environmental studies, appraisals, title
work, and surveys, it could begin negotiations to acquire the property. After acquiring the
property, it could award a contract for the necessary modifications and new construction. These
modifications and new construction would be expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. Once
construction was complete, it would take another six months to complete the activation process
and begin receiving inmates at the newly modified Bureau facility. The period from the time the
Bureau began the process until it could place high-security inmates in the modified SMF would
be at least two to three years. This alternative was rejected from further consideration because it
did not meet the need to begin to immediately address the critical shortage of high-security beds
in an expeditious manner.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

2-4

Environmental Assessment

2.4.2

Joint Bureau and DoD Use of TCC Alternative
The Presidential directive of December 15, 2009, directed the Attorney General to acquire and
activate TCC as a United States Penitentiary and also “provide to the Department of Defense a
sufficient portion of the TCC to serve as a detention facility to be operated by the Department of
Defense in order to accommodate the relocation of detainees” currently held at Guantanamo Bay
Naval Base. Congress, however, has restricted DoD’s ability to relocate detainees from
Guantanamo. Accordingly, an alternative whereby the Bureau would permit DoD to use up to
three of the housing units to house people who are currently located at Naval Station Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba was rejected from further consideration at this time. If Congress were to lift the
restrictions on DoD’s ability to relocate detainees from Guantanamo to the United States, DoD
would be responsible for complying with NEPA at that time.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

2-5

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

2-6

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 3.0
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND CONSEQUENCES
Some environmental resources and conditions that are typically evaluated with respect to a
Proposed Action would not be affected or would be affected to only a negligible or minor degree
by the Proposed Action to acquire TCC and convert it to use by the Bureau. The environmental
resources and conditions identified in this section are evaluated to a degree that is consistent with
their importance or potential for impacts. Accordingly, discussion of socioeconomic impacts and
utilities usage and availability receive substantial attention, whereas discussion of biological
resources receives less attention than found in many EAs. This approach helps to focus the reader
and decision maker on those issues of most relevance and importance.

3.1

LAND USE

3.1.1

Affected Environment
Land use refers to the development of property to achieve its highest and best use and to ensure
compatibility among adjacent uses. TCC is located in Carroll County in the western portion of
Illinois. Carroll County is a primarily rural area, with agriculture the major land use. TCC lies
west of Route 84, approximately one mile north of the Village of Thomson (population 580
persons). The construction of TCC, completed in November 2001, resulted in the conversion of
approximately 146 acres of agricultural land to institutional use.

3.1.2

Environmental Consequences

3.1.2.1 Proposed Action
No effects on land use would be expected. Acquisition and activation of TCC by the Bureau
would not change the land use classification of TCC because it would remain in institutional use.
TCC would continue to be compatible with adjacent agricultural uses.
3.1.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on land use would be expected.

3.2

VISUAL AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES

3.2.1

Affected Environment
TCC is in a rural area, and there are no aesthetically sensitive locations within the viewshed of the
site. The existing view from the homes of nearby residents is a view of a modern correctional
facility, consisting of administrative facilities and a fenced area containing housing units for
inmates. The existing facility is equipped with high-mast lighting along the perimeter fence. The
facility is not directly visible from the Mississippi River; however, light emanating from the
facility can be seen from the river at night.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-1

Environmental Assessment

3.2.2

Environmental Consequences

3.2.2.1 Proposed Action
No effects in visual and aesthetic resources would be expected. The proposed action does not
involve the construction of new structures or the addition of additional fencing and lighting. The
current visual setting of the facility would remain unchanged.
3.2.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on visual and aesthetics resources would be expected under the No Action Alternative.

3.3

AIR QUALITY

3.3.1

Affected Environment
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 5 and the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (IEPA) regulate air quality in Illinois. The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401–
7671q), as amended, gives USEPA the responsibility to establish the primary and secondary
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS; 40 CFR Part 50) that set acceptable
concentration levels for six criteria pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, ozone, and lead. Each state has the authority to adopt
standards stricter than those established under the federal program; however, the State of Illinois
accepts the federal standards. Federal regulations designate air quality control regions with levels
below the NAAQS as attainment areas. Carroll County (and therefore all areas associated with the
Proposed Action) are in the Metropolitan Quad Cities Interstate Air Quality Control Region (40
CFR 81.102). USEPA has designated Carroll County as in attainment for all criteria pollutants
(40 CFR 81.314).
Climate and Greenhouse Gasses. Thomson, IL’s climate is warm during summer when
temperatures tend to be in the 70's, and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in
the 20's. The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 81.6
°F, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 10.9
°F. The annual average precipitation in Thomson is 34.5 inches (Idcide, 2009).
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are components of the atmosphere that trap heat relatively near the
surface of the earth, and therefore, contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Most
GHGs occur naturally in the atmosphere, but increases in their concentration result from human
activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. Global temperatures are expected to continue to rise
as human activities continue to add carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and other
greenhouse (or heat-trapping) gases to the atmosphere. Whether or not rainfall will increase or
decrease remains difficult to project for specific regions. (USEPA, 2010; IPCC, 2007)
EO 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance outlines
policies intended to ensure that Federal agencies evaluate climate-change risks and
vulnerabilities, and to manage the short- and long-term effects of climate change on their
operations and mission. The EO specifically requires the Federal agencies to measure, report,
and reduce their GHG emissions from both their direct and indirect activities. In addition, the
CEQ recently released draft guidance on when and how Federal agencies should consider GHG
emissions and climate change in NEPA analyses. The draft guidance includes a presumptive

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-2

Environmental Assessment

effects threshold of 27,563 tons (25,000 metric tons) of CO2 equivalent emissions from a federal
action on an annual basis (CEQ, 2010).
3.3.2

Environmental Consequences

3.3.2.1 Proposed Action
Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on air quality would be expected. The effects
would be from air emissions during minor renovations and from new vehicle trips from staff and
visitors at TCC. The increases in emissions would be de minimis (of minimal importance) and not
regionally significant, and they would not contribute to a violation of any federal, state, or local
air regulation.
The Proposed Action would generate minute amounts of air emissions of criteria pollutants (i.e.
particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, ozone, and lead) from
personal operating vehicles. Because of the limited size and scope of these emissions, they would
be de minimis (of minimal importance) and not regionally significant. It is understood that
emissions at these levels are not sufficient to threaten the attainment status of the region. The
general conformity rules require federal agencies to determine whether their action(s) would
affect air quality in nonattainment areas (40 CFR 93.153(b)). Because the project is within an
attainment area, the air conformity regulations do not apply.
Operation of the facilities and activities proposed at TCC, as well as worker commuting, would
generate extremely minute amounts of greenhouse gasses (primarily CO2). The GHG emissions
would fall well below the CEQ threshold, and no long-term emissions would be introduced that
would impede progress toward GHG reduction goals put forth under EO 13514. These effects
would be negligible.
3.3.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on air quality would be expected under the No Action Alternative.

3.4

NOISE

3.4.1

Affected Environment
Existing sources of noise near TCC include limited rail activity, local road traffic, high-altitude
aircraft overflights, crop-dusting aircraft activities, and natural noises such as water, leaves
rustling, and bird vocalizations. The existing noise environment can be classified as quiet, and it
is consistent with a typical agricultural or low-density residential area.
The Noise Control Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-574) directs federal agencies to comply with
applicable state and local noise control regulations. Illinois’s Environmental Protection Act of
1985 limits noise to levels that protect health, general welfare, and property. The state regulation
sets specific not-to-exceed levels for noise-sensitive land uses; however, it does not apply to
construction activities or aircraft (35 IAC H.901.101). Carroll County maintains a general
nuisance noise ordinance, which does not specify explicit not-to-exceed levels.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-3

Environmental Assessment

3.4.2

Environmental Consequences

3.4.2.1 Proposed Action
Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on the noise environment would be expected. The
noise would not exceed the standards determined by federal, state, or local regulations. No
construction and only minor renovations/modifications would take place, and no increase in noise
from these sources is anticipated. Operation of the proposed activities at TCC would not generate
disruptive noise levels at the adjacent residences. Long-term changes in traffic would not
constitute a perceptible change in the noise environment. These effects would be negligible.
3.4.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on the noise environment would be expected under the No Action.

3.5

SOILS

3.5.1

Affected Environment
Before the construction of TCC, the surface soils consisted of Sparta and Ade loamy sands and
Dickinson sandy loam (USDA 2009). During facility construction, these soils were altered by
grading, cutting, filling, and shaping.

3.5.2

Environmental Consequences

3.5.2.1 Proposed Action
No effects would be expected. The proposed action does not involve construction or other land
disturbing activities.
3.5.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on soils would be expected under the No Action Alternative.

3.6

WATER RESOURCES

3.6.1

Affected Environment

3.6.1.1 Surface Water
Located approximately one-half mile east of the Mississippi River, TCC is in the Apple-Plum
watershed, which is assigned U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit Code 07060005. The
Apple-Plum watershed and its contributing counties––Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson,
Whiteside, Clinton, Dubuque, Jackson, Grant, and Lafayette––are shown in Figure 3-1.
The main waterway in this watershed is the Mississippi River, which flows south from its
headwaters in Minnesota to discharge into the Gulf of Mexico. The portion of the Mississippi
River near TCC (Segment Identification IL_M-12) is listed as impaired for mercury and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on Illinois’s Clean Water Act section 303(d) list of impaired
water bodies; the segment is not meeting its designated use for fish consumption (IEPA 2008).

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-4

Environmental Assessment

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-5

Environmental Assessment

Impairment for mercury is often caused by pollutants transported through the air from burning
fuel and industrial emissions. PCBs were banned in 1977, but exposure continues to occur as a
result of historic contamination. They were used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, which
have a lifetime or 30 years or more (Scorecard 2009). There are no naturally occurring surface
water features at TCC.
Drinking water at TCC, servicing an average population of 300, is provided by Village of
Thomson Water System number IL0150350 via water supply wells IEPA 11726, 11727, and
01286. The water is treated with chemicals at the pump houses located at each well. Wells 11726
and 11727 produce at a combined rate of 700 gallons per minute; well 01286 produces at a rate of
950 gallons per minute. The system includes a 750,000-gallon water storage tank allocated for
TCC use. This water meets all the IEPA and USEPA requirements for public water supply
systems. There are no irrigation systems, pumps, or wells on-site at TCC.
The storm water management system consists of catch basins that convey water to three detention
ponds located on the grounds.
3.6.1.2 Groundwater
Groundwater levels are influenced by fluctuations in the Mississippi River water level. The TCC
is underlain by a sand and gravel aquifer and does not contain any Sole Source Aquifers or source
water protection management zones as regulated by IEPA. Groundwater in the area is generally
obtained from the sand and gravel aquifer at a depth of 65 feet. At this time TCC does not use
groundwater for any purpose.
3.6.1.3 Floodplains
The TCC is currently mapped as Zone C by the National Flood Insurance Program, Flood
Insurance Rate Map number 170019, panel 0125B. Zone C is defined as an area of minimal flood
hazard, usually depicted on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps as above the 500-year flood level.
Zone C might have ponding and local drainage problems that do not warrant a detailed study or
designation as base floodplain. However, the corresponding Flood Insurance Rate Map is being
revised. According to the revision, TCC is mapped as Zone D by the National Flood Insurance
Program, preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map number 17015C, panel 0305C. Zone D
is defined as an area in which flood hazards are undetermined but possible.
3.6.1.4 Wetlands
The National Wetlands Inventory indicates there are no wetlands on the grounds of or adjacent to
TCC.
3.6.2 Environmental Consequences
3.6.2.1 Proposed Action
Negligible effects on surface water would be expected from implementing the Proposed Action.
The Proposed Action would be expected to raise the total population at TCC and increase the
demand for public water services (drinking water supply and waste water treatment); however,
the existing storage and treatment capacity exceeds the expected increase in demand. The
Proposed Action would not contribute pollutants identified on the section 303(d) list as causing
impairment. See section 3.11 for more details.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-6

Environmental Assessment

No impacts on groundwater, floodplains, or wetlands would be expected.
3.6.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on water resources would be expected under the No Action Alternative.

3.7

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

3.7.1

Affected Environment
The area within the project boundary consists entirely of mowed grass with some sparsely placed
shrubbery. Much of the facility is fenced and overall represents extremely poor quality wildlife
habitat. There are no wetlands within the project boundary.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). The MBTA implemented the 1916 convention
between the United States and Great Britain for the protection of birds migrating between the
United States and Canada. Similar conventions exist between the United States and Mexico
(1936). The MBTA made it illegal for people to "take" migratory birds or their eggs, feathers, or
nests. Take is defined in the MBTA to include, by any means or in any manner, any attempt at
hunting, pursuing, wounding, killing, possessing, or transporting any migratory bird, nest, egg, or
part thereof. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act affords additional protection to all bald
and golden eagles.
The Migratory Bird Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently started a
new program called the “Focal Species Strategy for Migratory Birds.” This strategy involves
campaigns for selected species to provide explicit, strategic, and adaptive sets of conservation
actions required to return the species to healthy and sustainable levels. As part of the strategy,
139 species of management concern were identified and are to receive increased attention over
the short term. In the Midwest Region, where TCC is located, this list includes Henslow’s
sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) and king rail (Rallus elegans), both of which, according to
various data sources, have shown long-term population declines. (USFWS 2009b).
Henslow’s sparrow has not been observed in Carroll County, and though the king rail has been
observed in the county, it is a waterbird and the agricultural habitat surrounding TCC is
unsuitable habitat. (USFWS 2009b)
In addition, the USFWS, Midwest Region, maintains the following five important bird areas in
Illinois: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge-Lost Mound Unit;
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge; Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, Long Island
Division; Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge; and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge.
(USFWS 2009b). TCC is not located near any of these lands.
Threatened and Endangered Species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA)
requires all federal agencies to conserve listed species. Conservation, as defined by the ESA,
means the use of all methods and procedures necessary to bring any listed species to the point
where protections pursuant to the ESA are no longer necessary. Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA
requires federal agencies to consult with the USFWS to ensure that they are not undertaking,
funding, permitting, or authorizing actions likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed
species or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-7

Environmental Assessment

Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the ESA as “(i) the specific areas within the geographic
area occupied by a species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found
those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) that
may require special management considerations or protection; and, (ii) specific areas outside the
geographic area occupied by a species at the time it is listed, upon determination that such areas
are essential for the conservation of the species.”
Because conservation means the use of all methods and procedures necessary to bring an
endangered or threatened species to the point at which listing under the ESA is no longer needed,
critical habitat areas should provide sufficient habitat to support the species at the population
level and geographic distribution that is necessary for recovery.
Four federally listed species (Table 3.7-1) and 38 state-listed species are known to occur in
Carroll County; however, none of these species are expected to occur at TCC (IL NHP 2008;
USFWS 2009a). In addition, no critical habitat exists within the project area. The land
surrounding the TCC property is almost entirely agricultural.
Table 3.7-1
Federally listed species known to occur in Carroll County, Illinois
Species

Federal Status

Habitat

Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)

Endangered

Caves, mines (hibernacula); small stream
corridors with well-developed riparian woods;
upland forests (foraging)

Higgins eye pearlymussel

Endangered

Mississippi River; Rock River to Steel Dam

(Lampsilis higginsi)
Sheepnose mussel

Candidate

Rivers

Threatened

Mesic to wet prairies

(Plethobasus cyphyus)
Eastern prairie fringed orchid
(Platanthaera leucophaea)

3.7.2

Environmental Consequences

3.7.2.1 Proposed Action
No effects on biological resources are expected to occur as a result of the Proposed Action. The
security lighting at the facility could be expected to attract insects during the nighttime hours.
This, in turn, would increase the availability, concentration, and focus of potential food sources
for local populations of insectivorous bat species. Although this might increase the number of
bats feeding at TCC during any particular evening, it could be expected to have a negligible effect
on the overall bat population in the area. The Proposed Action would not adversely affect any
state or federally listed species, migratory birds, or their habitats.
On December 10, 2009, a coordination letter describing the Proposed Action and requesting
comments was sent to the USFWS, Midwest Region. A copy of the letter is provided in Appendix
B.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-8

Environmental Assessment

3.7.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on biological resources would be expected under the No Action Alternative.

3.8

CULTURAL RESOURCES

3.8.1

Affected Environment
TCC was constructed by the State of Illinois on former farmland. Agricultural activities involving
earthmoving such as drain installation, plowing over time, and crop harvesting would have
disturbed to some degree any buried archaeological materials at this site. In addition, the
extensive earthmoving and fill activities that took place when the State of Illinois constructed
TCC would certainly have totally destroyed any buried archaeological remains at this site. No
historic buildings of any sort are known to have been constructed on or adjacent to the TCC site.

3.8.2 Environmental Consequences
3.8.2.1 Proposed Action
No adverse effects on cultural resources would be expected from implementation of the Proposed
Action. In terms of archaeological resources, this property has already been extensively disturbed
by historical and modern farming activities and most especially by earthmoving activities
conducted when the State of Illinois constructed TCC. This site is highly unlikely to contain any
intact archaeological deposits that would be considered eligible for the NRHP. The proposed
action does not involve construction and only minor renovations/modifications would take place.
However, should any currently unrecorded archaeological sites, materials, or incidental finds be
identified at any point in the future, the Bureau would consult with the Illinois SHPO and other
interested parties to develop measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any associated adverse
effects. There are no NRHP-eligible structures on or adjacent to TCC. Therefore, no adverse
effects on architectural properties are expected as a result of implementing the Proposed Action.
A scoping letter was sent to the Illinois SHPO for review and comment; it is included in
Appendix B.
3.8.2.2 No Action Alternative
No adverse effects on cultural resources would be expected from the No Action Alternative.

3.9

SOCIOECONOMICS

3.9.1

Affected Environment
The socioeconomic indicators used for this study include economic development, demographics,
housing, quality of life, environmental justice, and protection of children. These indicators
characterize the region of influence (ROI). The ROI is a geographic area selected as the basis on
which social and economic impacts of project alternatives are analyzed. The ROI for the social
and economic environment is defined as a 60-mile radius from Thomson, Illinois. Table 3.9-1
provides a list, by state, of the counties in the ROI and the counties are shown on Figure 1-1.
Carroll County, Illinois, is the home county of TCC. This ROI was selected because it is the

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-9

Environmental Assessment

outside range for driving distance to a place of employment1 and it includes the larger population
centers of the Quad Cities,2 Dubuque and Scott Counties in Iowa, and Winnebago County in
Illinois, which would be sources of labor and housing. The ROI covers an area of 13,616 square
miles. The closest large metropolitan areas to Thomson, Illinois, are the cities of Dubuque, which
is about 57 miles to the northwest, and the Quad Cities area, which is about 55 miles to the
southwest.
The baseline year for socioeconomic data is 2008, the most recent year for which most of the ROI
socioeconomic indicators (e.g., population, employment) are reasonably available. Where 2008
data are not available, the most recent data available are presented.
Table 3.9-1
Counties in the ROI
Illinois

Iowa

Wisconsin

Bureau

Cedar

Grant

Carroll

Clinton

Green

Henry

Dubuque

Lafayette

Jo Daviess

Jackson

Lee

Jones

Mercer

Muscatine

Ogle

Scott

Rock Island
Stark
Stephenson
Whiteside
Winnebago
Note: Carroll County, Illinois, is the home county of
TCC.

3.9.1.1 Economic Environment
Employment and industry. ROI civilian labor force and unemployment data are shown in Tables
3.9-2 and 3.9-3, along with national and state data for comparative purposes. The U.S. economy
entered a recession at the end of calendar year 2008; this is reflected in the data shown in the
tables. The ROI unemployment rate increased from 6.2 percent in 2008 to 10.4 percent as of
October 2009. The number of persons unemployed increased by about 29,800 during that period
(Table 3.9-2). The ROI’s October 2009 unemployment rate was higher than the national
unemployment rate (9.5 percent) and that of the states of Iowa and Wisconsin (6.2 percent and
7.6 percent, respectively), but just below the Illinois state unemployment rate of 10.5 percent
(Table 3.9-3) (BLS 2009). Of the 22 counties in the ROI, 9 (Bureau, Carroll, Lee, Ogle, Rock
Island, Stark, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago) had double-digit unemployment rates as of
October 2009. The primary sources of ROI employment were manufacturing, retail trade,
government and government enterprises, health care and social assistance, administrative and

1
The region is suffering from the economic recession and high unemployment. On the basis of anecdotal evidence,
people in the region are commuting up to an hour to places of employment.
2
The Quad Cities are Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa, and East Moline/Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-10

Environmental Assessment

waste services, and accommodation and food services. Together these industry sectors accounted
for about 60 percent of regional employment. Farming accounted for about 4 percent of ROI
employment (BEA 2009a).
Table 3.9-2
ROI labor force and unemployment

2000 (annual)

Civilian labor
force
677,741

Employed
649,823

Unemployed
27,917

Unemployment
rate
4.1%

2008 (annual)

698,864

655,814

43,050

6.2%

2009 (as of October 2009)

702,774

629,861

72,913

10.4%

Source: BLS 2009.

Table 3.9-3
ROI, state, and national unemployment rates
2000 annual
unemployment rate
4.1%

2008 annual
unemployment rate
6.2%

Illinois

4.5%

6.5%

10.5%

Iowa

2.8%

4.1%

6.2%

Wisconsin

3.4%

4.7%

7.6%

United States

4.0%

5.8%

9.5%

ROI

October 2009 unemployment
rate
10.4%

Source: BLS 2009.

Income. The ROI 2007 per capita personal income (PCPI) was $33,127, an increase of 27 percent
over the 2000 PCPI of $26,030 (Table 3.9-4). This increase was relatively consistent with the
state-level change in PCPI in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin and the nation. The ROI PCPI was
lower than the state and national levels in 2000 and 2007. The ROI 2007 PCPI was 86 percent of
the national PCPI of $38,615 (BEA 2009b).
Table 3.9-4
Income, 2000 and 2007
2000 PCPI
$26,030

2007 PCPI
$33,127

Change in PCPI,
2000–2007
27%

Illinois

$32,190

$41,012

27%

Iowa

$26,558

$34,916

31%

Wisconsin

$28,572

$36,272

27%

United States

$29,847

$38,615

29%

ROI

Source: BEA 2009b.

3.9.1.2 Demographics
The ROI’s 2008 population was 1,296,550, an increase of 2 percent from the 2000 population of
1,271,108 (Table 3.9-5). This growth in the ROI was lower than that of each of the three states in
the ROI and in the United States during the same period. From 2000 to 2008, Illinois’s population
increased by 3.9 percent; Iowa’s, 2.6 percent; Wisconsin’s, 4.9 percent; and the nation’s, 8
percent (U.S. Census Bureau 2009a). Carroll County’s population actually decreased 5 percent
from 2000 to 2008, and that of the neighboring counties of Whiteside (Illinois) and Clinton
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-11

Environmental Assessment

(Iowa) also decreased, by 2.5 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. The greatest growth by
county in the ROI occurred in Ogle County, Illinois (8.1 percent), while the greatest decline in
population occurred in neighboring Stephenson County, Illinois (-5.3 percent). Overall, the
population declined in 15 of the 22 counties in the ROI from 2000 to 2008, while 7 of the
counties experienced population growth (U.S. Census Bureau 2009a).
Table 3.9-5
Population
2000 population

2008 population

Change in population,
2000–2008

Illinois
Bureau County

35,503

34,933

-1.6%

Carroll County

16,674

15,841

-5.0%

Henry County

51,018

49,569

-2.8%

Jo Daviess County

22,289

22,188

-0.5%

Lee County

36,062

35,129

-2.6%

Mercer County

16,957

16,481

-2.8%

Ogle County

51,032

55,167

8.1%

149,388

146,886

-1.7%

6,332

6,135

-3.1%

Rock Island County
Stark County
Stephenson County

48,979

46,367

-5.3%

Whiteside County

60,651

59,153

-2.5%

Winnebago County

278,422

300,252

7.8%

Subtotal Illinois ROI

773,307

788,101

1.9%

Iowa
Cedar County

18,187

18,079

-0.6%

Clinton County

50,149

48,942

-2.4%

Dubuque County

89,156

92,724

4.0%

Jackson County

20,296

19,965

-1.6%

Jones County

20,221

20,346

0.6%

Muscatine County

41,722

42,504

1.9%

Scott County

158,689

164,690

3.8%

Subtotal Iowa ROI

398,420

407,250

2.2%

Grant County

49,597

49,238

-0.7%

Green County

33,647

36,090

7.3%

Lafayette County

16,137

15,871

-1.6%

Wisconsin

Subtotal Wisconsin ROI

99,381

101,199

1.8%

1,271,108

1,296,550

12,419,660

12,901,563

3.9%

2,926,381

3,002,555

2.6%

5,363,708

5,627,967

4.9%

281,421,906

301,621,159

8.0%

Total for ROI

2.0%

Statewide
Illinois
Iowa
Wisconsin
United States

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2009a.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-12

Environmental Assessment

3.9.1.3 Housing
The housing data are from the U.S. Census Bureau 2006–2008 American Community Survey 3year estimates. The estimates are based on data collected between January 2006 and December
2008. These data are published by the U.S. Census Bureau for selected geographic areas with
populations of 20,000 or greater, and the data represent the average characteristics over the 3-year
period. For counties with a population of less than 20,000, the 2000 Decennial Census data were
used because they are the most recent available data (U.S. Census Bureau 2009b). Housing data
presented below includes total number of housing units; units occupied and vacant; vacant units
for sale or rent; housing costs (i.e., median monthly mortgage and gross rent); and housing age
(i.e., year structure built).
ROI housing data are presented in Table 3.9-6, along with national housing data for comparison.
The ROI housing costs are lower than the national levels. The ROI median monthly mortgage of
$1,088 is 72 percent of the national level of $1,508. The ROI median gross rent of $566 is 69
percent of the national average of $819.
There were almost 560,000 housing units in the ROI, of which 91 percent were occupied and 9
percent were vacant. The ROI has a lower percentage of vacant units compared to the national
rate of 12 percent (Table 3.9-6). Table 3.9-7 lists the vacant units that are for rent or for sale. The
ROI is a 60-mile radius around Thomson, Illinois, and it is estimated that within that region more
than 13,900 housing units are available for rent and about 5,000 are available for sale. To
estimate the number of units available within close proximity to Thomson, the number of housing
units in counties that fell wholly or in part within a 20-, 30-, and 40-mile radius of Thomson was
calculated and is presented in Table 3.9-8. Note that if a county fell only partly within a radius,
all of the county’s housing units were included in the total because the data could not be further
subdivided. Consequently, the data presented in Table 3.9-8 might overestimate the number of
housing units within each radius, but the data are presented to provide the best available estimate
of housing within relatively close commuting distances to Thomson, Illinois.
Most of the ROI housing units are more than 30 years old; about half of the units are 50 or more
years old. Twenty-four percent of the housing units were constructed between 1980 and the
present; 28 percent were built between 1960 and 1979; and 48 percent were built before 1959
(U.S. Census Bureau 2000, 2009b).
A search was conducted to locate hotels within a 60-mile radius around Thomson, Illinois. A
number of well-known travel Web sites were researched (e.g., Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com),
as well as county visitor bureau sites. The findings are presented in Table 3.9-9. The table is
sorted by distance (in miles) from Thomson. For the purpose of this study, the hotel space would
be needed to accommodate Bureau personnel and visitors; therefore, the study primarily focused
on hotel chains, where hotel quality and amenities are more consistent and a larger number of
rooms are available. Smaller or specialty establishments such as “mom and pop” motels, bed and
breakfasts, resorts and spas, and Recreational Vehicle campgrounds were not included. Table 3.99 lists a total of 68 hotels with 5,110 rooms within 60 miles of Thomson. Within 30 miles of
Thomson, there are 25 hotels with 1,512 rooms; within 20 miles of Thomson, there are 15 hotels
with 909 rooms; and within 10 miles of Thomson there are 6 hotels with 274 rooms.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-13

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-6
Housing units and costs
Number of housing
units
ROI
United States

Occupied

Vacant

Median monthly
mortgage

Median gross
rent

559,867

91%

9%

$1,088

$566

127,762,925

88%

12%

$1,508

$819

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000, 2009b.

Table 3.9-7
Vacant units available for sale or rent in the 60-mile-radius ROI
County

For rent

For sale

Illinois
Bureau

97

92

Carroll

204

159

Henry

633

149

Jo Daviess

120

231

Lee

353

213

68

77

201

236

4,892

102

40

53

Stephenson

590

440

Whiteside

295

230

Winnebago

1,986

685

Subtotal

9,479

2,667

Mercer
Ogle
Rock Island
Stark

Iowa
Cedar

97

83

Clinton

464

226

Dubuque

632

155

Jackson

174

118

Jones

145

111

Muscatine

423

322

Scott

1,289

884

Subtotal

3,224

1,899

Green

522

160

Grant

596

280

Lafayette

151

73

Subtotal

1,269

513

13,972

5,079

Wisconsin

Total for ROI

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000, 2009b.
Note: The most recent data available for the following counties are from the 2000 Decennial
Census: Carroll, Lee, Mercer, Stark, Cedar, Jones, and Lafayette.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-14

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-8
Vacant units available for sale or rent within a 20-, 30-,
and 40-mile radius of Thomson, Illinois
County

For rent

For sale

20-mile radius
Carroll

204

159

Clinton

464

226

Jackson

174

118

Whiteside

295

230

1,137

733

Carroll

204

159

Whiteside

295

230

Total
30-mile radius

Rock Island

4,892

102

Clinton

464

226

Jackson

174

118

Jo Daviess

120

231

Stephenson

590

440

Ogle

201

236

Carroll

204

159

Total

6,940

1,742

40-mile radius
Carroll

204

159

Whiteside

295

230

Jo Daviess

120

231

Scott

1,289

884

Clinton

464

226

Jackson

174

118

Stephenson

590

440

Ogle

201

236

Lee

353

213

Bureau

97

92

Henry

633

149

Rock Island

4,892

Total

9,312

102
3,080

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000, 2009b.
Notes:
The list of vacant units within a 60-mile radius is shown in Table 3.9-7.
The most recent data available for the following counties are from the 2000 Decennial Census:
Carroll, Lee, Mercer, Stark, Cedar, Jones, and Lafayette.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-15

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-9
Hotels and motels near Thomson, Illinois
Hotel

City

State

Miles from
Thomson, IL

Number of
rooms

Executive Inn

Thomson

IL

1

40

Villager Lodge

Thomson

IL

2

40

Comfort Inn & Suites

Fulton

IL

7

51

Super 8

Savanna

IL

9

66

Travel Inn

Clinton

IA

10

51

L& M Motel

Savanna

IL

10

26

Motel 6

Clinton

IA

12

99

Super 8

Clinton

IA

12

63

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Clinton

IA

12

62

Best Western Frontier Inn

Clinton

IA

12

107

Holiday Inn Express

Clinton

IA

12

67

Ramada Inn

Clinton

IA

13

62

Timber Motel

Clinton

IA

13

28

Parkview Motel

Morrison

IL

13

24

Oak Tree Inn

Clinton

IA

15

123

Super 8

Rock Falls

IL

25

59

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Rock Falls

IL

25

80

Holiday Inn

Rock Falls

IL

25

117

Whiteside Motel

Rock Falls

IL

26

26

Super 8

De Witt

IA

26

40

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Stockton

IL

28

40

Comfort Inn & Suites

Le Claire

IA

29

54

Super 8

Le Claire

IA

29

32

Holiday Inn Express

Le Claire

IA

29

66

Brandywine Hotel and Suites

Dixon

IL

29

89

Longhollow Point

Galena

IL

31

60

Comfort Inn

Maquoketa

IA

31

64

Super 8

Maquoketa

IA

31

48

Quality Inn & Suites

Eldridge

IA

32

62

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Freeport

IL

32

66

Super 8

Dixon

IL

33

40

Comfort Inn

Dixon

IL

33

48

Quality Inn & Suites

Dixon

IL

33

52

Hampton Inn & Suites

Davenport

IA

34

103

Staybridge Suites

Davenport

IA

34

80

Holiday Inn Express

Freeport

IL

34

67

Hampton Inn

Freeport

IL

34

72

Baymont Inn & Suites

Freeport

IL

34

63

Sleep Inn & Suites

Davenport

IA

35

55

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-16

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-9
Hotels and motels near Thomson, Illinois (continued)
Hotel

City

State

Miles from
Thomson, IL

Number of
rooms

Best Western Quiet House & Suites

Galena

IL

35

42

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

Galena

IL

35

75

DeSoto House Hotel

Galena

IL

35

55

Grant Hills Motel

Galena

IL

35

34

Ramada

Galena

IL

35

72

Super 8

Geneseo

IL

36

39

Super 8

Davenport

IA

36

61

Super 8

Moline

IL

36

60

Motel 6

Davenport

IA

36

98

Hampton Inn

Davenport

IA

44

103

Staybridge Suites

Davenport

IA

44

80

Sleep Inn & Suites

Davenport

IA

44

55

Days Inn

Davenport

IA

45

64

La Quinta Inn

Davenport

IA

45

129

Courtyard Marriott

Bettendorf

IA

46

108

Clarion Hotel

Davenport

IA

46

288

Baymont Inn & Suites

Davenport

IA

46

102

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites

Bettendorf

IA

48

150

Radisson Hotel

Moline

IL

49

163

Timmerman's Hotel

East Dubuque

IL

55

74

Holiday Inn

Dubuque

IA

57

193

Days Inn

Dubuque

IA

57

161

Hilton Garden Inn

Dubuque

IA

58

116

Super 8

Dubuque

IA

59

61

Fairfield Inn

Dubuque

IA

60

56

Hampton Inn

Dubuque

IA

60

97

Motel 6

Dubuque

IA

59

61

Comfort Inn

Dubuque

IA

60

52

Comfort Inns & Suites

Dubuque

IA

60

69

Total

5,110

Sources:
Orbitz.com 2009; Kayak.com 2009; Hotels.com 2009; Travelocity.com 2009; Google.com 2009; Bing.com 2009;
Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB 2009; Carroll County Illinois 2009.

3.9.1.4 Quality of Life
Law enforcement. Law enforcement in the ROI is provided by state, county, and municipal law
enforcement officers, as well as other agencies such as state departments of commerce and natural
resources, parks departments, airport authorities, and universities and colleges. The states of
Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin have about 5,100 full-time state police law enforcement officers,
with about 850 additional officers from other state agencies (DOJ FBI 2009). ROI county law
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-17

Environmental Assessment

enforcement data are provided in Table 3.9-10. The ROI has about 630 county law enforcement
officers.3
Carroll County, in which TCC is located, has 9 county officers. There are also six municipal
police departments within the county with a total of 16 law enforcement personnel (DOJ FBI
2009).
Fire protection. The ROI has 220 fire departments with a total of 297 fire stations and more than
7,300 firefighters. Most of the fire departments (92 percent) are volunteer or mostly volunteer
with about 6,400 firefighters. The remaining are career or mostly career departments with about
960 firefighters (Fire Departments Network 2009). Carroll County fire departments would be the
nearest responders to a fire emergency at TCC; however, there are currently no Memorandums of
Understanding in place to service the center. The county has 6 volunteer fire departments with 7
fire stations and almost 200 firefighters. The Thomson Fire Protection District fire department is
Table 3.9-10
ROI full-time law enforcement personnel by county
Metropolitan/Nonmetropolitan
Counties
Illinois

Iowa

Wisconsin

County
Bureau
Carroll
Henry
Jo Daviess
Lee
Mercer
Ogle
Rock Island
Stark
Stephenson
Whiteside
Winnebago
Cedar
Clinton
Dubuque
Jackson
Jones
Muscatine
Scott
Grant
Green
Lafayette

ROI Total

Total law
enforcement
employees
37
25
73
38
40
29
73
158
13
81
55
401
35
42
83
14
24
65
165
47
56
27
1,581

Total
officers
20
9
23
20
22
12
30
63
5
29
24
117
10
24
71
8
10
22
43
25
34
15

Total
civilians
17
16
50
18
18
17
43
95
8
52
31
284
25
18
12
6
14
43
122
22
22
12

636

945

Source: DOJ FBI 2009

3

Law enforcement officers are defined as persons who ordinarily carry a firearm and a badge, have full arrest powers,
and are paid from governmental funds set aside specifically to pay for sworn law enforcement. Civilian employees include fulltime agency personnel such as clerks, radio dispatchers, meter attendants, stenographers, jailers, correctional officers, and
mechanics (DOJ FBI 2009).
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-18

Environmental Assessment

about 1 mile from the correctional center. Illinois also has a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System
(MABAS), which is part of a tristate fire and emergency response system. Thomson fire
department is a member of MABAS Division 29.
Medical. There are 17 hospitals in the ROI with a total of more than 2,300 beds (ahd.com 2009).
Hospital services include emergency facilities, trauma centers, urgent medical care, burn centers,
inpatient care, wound care, oncology services, cardiology services, and surgical facilities (Table
3.9-11).
The nearest trauma facility to TCC is Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Iowa, about 15 miles
south of the facility. Emergency medical helicopter transport is available from MedForce in
Bettendorf, Iowa. A secondary emergency medical transport helicopter is available through the
University of Iowa AirCare. AirCare regularly collaborates with nearly 100 emergency medical
services, fire, and law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa and the ROI. The response time to
TCC is approximately 20 minutes.
Table 3.9-11
Hospitals in the ROI
Hospital and location
Mercy Medical Center –
Clinton, Clinton, IA

Beds
255

Miles from
Thomson, IL
15

Type of
facility
Short term acute
care

Morrison Community
Hospital, Morrison, IL

63

20

Critical
access

Genesis Medical
Center, DeWitt, IA

13

30

Critical
access

CGH Medical Center,
Sterling, IL

92

31

Short-term
acute care

Midwest Medical
Center, Galena, IL

25

39

Critical
access

269

40

Critical
access

Genesis Medical
Center, Illini Campus,
Silvis, IL

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

Clinical services
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, oncology
services, radiology/nuclear
medicine/imaging, physical therapy,
hemodialysis, home health, hospice,
inpatient surgery, obstetrics,
psychiatric, rehabilitation, skilled
nursing, intensive care unit
Cardiology, emergency room, surgery,
physical therapy, occupational therapy,
medicine, pulmonology, urology,
radiology
Emergency room, cardiology,
neurology, oncology, orthopedic
surgery, physical therapy,
pulmonology, surgery, urology,
women's services
Cardiovascular services; emergency
department; neurosciences; oncology
services; orthopedic services;
radiology/nuclear medicine/imaging;
wound care; hemodialysis; home
health; inpatient surgery; lithrotripsy;
obstetrics; intensive care unit
Cardiology, emergency room,
neurology, orthopedic surgery,
pulmonology, surgery, urology,
physical therapy, diagnostic imaging,
laboratory services
Cardiology, neurology, orthopedic
surgery, pulmonology, surgery, urology

August 2010

3-19

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-11
Hospitals in the ROI (continued)
Miles from
Thomson, IL
41

Type of
facility
Short-term
acute care

Hospital and location
Trinity Regional Health
System - Terrace Park
Campus, Bettendorf, IA

Beds
69

FHN Memorial Hospital,
Freeport, IL

158

44

Short-term
acute care

Trinity Regional Health
System - 7th Street
Campus, Moline, IL

38

47

Short-term
acute care

Katherine Shaw Bethea
Hospital, Dixon, IL

80

47

Short-term
acute care

414

47

Short-term
acute care

Jackson County
Regional Health Center,
Maquoketa, IA

43

47

Critical
access

Select Specialty
Hospital - Quad Cities,
Davenport, IA

50

50

Long-term
acute care

Hammond-Henry
Hospital, Geneseo, IL

50

53

Critical
access

Genesis Medical
Center, Davenport, IA

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

Clinical services
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, orthopedic
services, radiology/nuclear
medicine/imaging, physical therapy,
wound care, burn center, hemodialysis,
inpatient surgery, obstetrics, intensive
care unit
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences,
chemotherapy, orthopedic services,
radiology/nuclear medicine/imaging,
physical therapy, hemodialysis,
hospice, inpatient surgery, lithrotripsy,
obstetrics, intensive care unit
Emergency room; surgical services;
recovery care center; cancer center;
cardiac rehab; diagnostic and women's
imaging services; wound care center;
sleeping disorders lab; Heartaware
early detection center; diabetes center;
bariatrics; birthplace unit
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, orthopedic
services, radiology/nuclear
medicine/imaging, home health,
hospice, inpatient surgery, obstetrics,
intensive care unit
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, oncology,
orthopedic, radiology/nuclear
medicine/imaging, physical therapy,
wound care, hemodialysis, inpatient
surgery, obstetrics, intensive care unit,
neonatal intensive care
Cardiology, emergency room, intensive
care unit, neurology, obstetrics,
orthopedic surgery, pulmonology,
radiology/nuclear medicine/imaging,
surgery, urology
Cardiology, medicine, orthopedics,
pulmonology, surgery, wound care,
neurology, post-trauma, infectious
disease
Cardiology, medicine, neurology,
orthopedic surgery, pulmonology,
surgery, urology

August 2010

3-20

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-11
Hospitals in the ROI (continued)
Miles from
Thomson, IL
54

Type of
facility
Short-term
acute care

Hospital and location
Trinity Regional Health
System - West Campus,
Rock Island, IL

Beds
358

Mercy Medical Center –
Dubuque, Dubuque, IA

263

60

Short-term
acute care

The Finley Hospital,
Dubuque, IA

131

60

Short-term
acute care

Total beds

Clinical services
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, oncology
services, orthopedic services,
radiology/nuclear medicine/imaging,
physical therapy, wound care,
hemodialysis, inpatient surgery,
obstetrics, rehabilitation, coronary
intensive care, intensive care unit,
neonatal intensive care
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, orthopedic
services, radiology/nuclear
medicine/imaging, physical therapy,
hemodialysis, home health, inpatient
surgery, lithrotripsy, obstetrics,
psychiatric, rehabilitation, intensive
care unit
Cardiovascular services, emergency
department, neurosciences, oncology
services, orthopedic services,
radiology/nuclear medicine/imaging,
physical therapy, wound care,
hemodialysis, home health, inpatient
surgery, obstetrics, rehabilitation,
intensive care unit

2,371

Source: ahd.com 2009.

The nearest burn center is at Trinity Regional Health System–Terrace Park Campus in Bettendorf,
Iowa, about 40 miles south of Thomson.
A variety of emergency transport services are available within the local Thomson area. Fulton
Ambulance Service in Fulton, Illinois, is about 9 miles south of TCC. Savanna Ambulance
services in Savanna, Illinois, is approximately 13 miles north of Thomson. Mount Carroll
Ambulance Service is in Mount Carroll, Illinois, about 15 miles northeast of Thomson. Andover
Ambulance Service in Andover, Iowa, is approximately 20 miles west of Thomson.
Schools. The ROI has 165 public school districts with more than 210,000 students enrolled in
608 schools (NCES 2009a). The median student-to-teacher ratio in the ROI public schools is 14.4
pupils to 1 teacher, which is lower than the national average of 15.3 pupils to 1 teacher (NCES
2009a,b). There are also 100 private schools in the ROI with a total student enrollment of about
24,600. The private school student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8 to 1, which is lower than the national
average for private schools of 13.0 to 1 (NCES 2009a,b). No primary or secondary schools are on
or adjacent to TCC.
The economic recession has also affected the school systems. The population of several counties
in the ROI has declined in the last several years (see Table 3.9-5) lowering school enrollment,
creating excess capacity, and reducing the tax revenue base for the school districts. For example,
in Carroll County, the Village of Thomson did not receive the influx of new students anticipated
when TCC opened (the prison was built but never became operational), so its school was closed

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-21

Environmental Assessment

and the student population was consolidated with other Carroll County school districts (Village of
Thomson 2009).
Support services, shopping, and recreation. The ROI has an array of the typical shopping,
service, and recreational facilities.
3.9.1.5 Environmental Justice
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued EO 12898, Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations. The EO is designed to focus the
attention of federal agencies on the human health and environmental conditions in minority
communities and low-income communities. Environmental justice analyses are performed to
identify the disproportionate placement of high and adverse environmental or health effects from
proposed federal actions on minority or low-income populations, and to identify alternatives that
could mitigate these effects.
Minority populations are identified as Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska
Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, persons of two or more races, and
persons of Hispanic origin. Minority populations should be identified where either the minority
population of the affected area exceeds 50 percent or the minority population percentage of the
affected area is meaningfully greater than the minority population percentage in the general
population or other appropriate unit of geographic analysis (CEQ 1997). As of 2008, 92 percent
of the ROI population was white and 8 percent was of a minority population. The ROI had a
lower percentage of minority populations compared to the United States, which had 20 percent
minority populations (U.S. Census Bureau 2009a). The minority population of the ROI does not
exceed 50 percent, nor is it greater than the minority population percentage of the general
population.
Poverty thresholds established by the U.S. Census Bureau are used to identify low-income
populations (CEQ 1997). Poverty status is reported as the number of persons or families with
income below a defined threshold level. Eleven percent of ROI residents were classified as living
in poverty as of 2007, lower than the national poverty rate of 13 percent (U.S. Census Bureau
2009a).
3.9.1.6 Protection of Children
EO 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health and Safety Risks, requires federal
agencies, to the extent permitted by law and mission, to identify and assess environmental health
and safety risks that might disproportionately affect children.
There are no residences, schools, churches, or parks on or adjacent to TCC.
3.9.2 Environmental Consequences
3.9.2.1 Proposed Action
3.9.2.1.1

Economic Environment

IMPLAN model. A projection of economic effects on the ROI from the Proposed Action was
developed using the Impact Analysis for Planning Model (IMPLAN). IMPLAN is a regional
economic input-output model that was originally developed by the U.S. Forest Service for natural
resource planning, but later updated and adapted by many other government agencies and privateThomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-22

Environmental Assessment

sector analysts for use in economic impact analysis. IMPLAN has been in use since 1979 and has
evolved from a mainframe non-interactive application to a menu-driven microcomputer program
that is completely interactive. IMPLAN federal government clients include U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of
Energy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mineral Management Service, National
Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service,
USEPA, USFWS, and U.S. Forest Service (MIG 2009).
IMPLAN is derived by using local data combined with national input-output accounts. The model
uses 2008 data obtained from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other
federal and state agencies. IMPLAN uses trade flow characteristics to trace economic changes in
a regional economy arising from changes in the level of activity in one or more identified sectors.
County-level data are used to adjust the national income accounts to fit the trade flow
characteristics of the sub-national ROI for the study. IMPLAN estimates economic changes for
the defined ROI and quantifies changes to economic indicators, including output, employment,
and labor income. Output represents the value of industry production (i.e., business sales dollars).
Employment is the total number of jobs (full- and part-time) and is separated into direct and
indirect jobs. Direct jobs are those hired directly to do the subject work. Indirect jobs are those
created from increased business activities associated with the subject work (business-to-business
transactions) or from changes in household spending (consumer spending by the workforce), also
called induced jobs. Labor income is all forms of employment income, including employee
compensation (wages and benefits) and proprietor income (MIG 2009).
Table 3.9-12 lists the input data for the IMPLAN model. The data were provided by the Bureau.
The Bureau would ultimately employ about 900 people at TCC: 350 would be current Bureau
employees transferred to TCC, and the other 550 jobs would be eligible to be filled by qualified
persons already residing in the ROI. The Bureau’s staff would be phased in over years 1 and 2,
with full staff in year 3. Renovation would occur in the first year. The U.S. General Services
Administration per diem was used for the visitor lodging and meals expenditures, and trips were
assumed to be 3-day, 2-night stays.
Table 3.9-12
Bureau estimated staffing and expenditures for the Proposed Action
Year 1
150
$15,000,000
$37,000,000
0

Bureau total staff a
Bureau renovation expenditures
Bureau annual operating expenditures
b
Bureau estimated annual outside visitors

Year 2
750
0
$112,000,000
50

Year 3
900
0
$122,000,000
100

Sources: Meyers, personal communication, 2009; Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisers 2009.
Notes:
a
Numbers are rounded.
b
Bureau outside visitors would be family, friends, attorneys, and journalists.

Economic effects. Short- and long-term minor beneficial economic effects would be expected
from implementing the Proposed Action. Tables 3.9-13 through 3.9-15 present the IMPLAN
results for each year by activity (e.g., renovation, operation, visitors), and Table 3.9-16
summarizes the total effects for each year. The IMPLAN model estimates the total multiplier
effect on the ROI economy from renovation expenditures and operations employment
associated with the Proposed Action. Each year represents the total employment and
expenditures that would occur in that year.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-23

Environmental Assessment

Table 3.9-13
IMPLAN output: Year 1
Direct Employment
Indirect Employment
Total Employment
Total Labor Income
Total Output

Renovation
105
82
187
$8,870,240
$24,573,504

Operation
150
46
196
$3,179,736
$10,304,704

Visitors
0
0
0
$0
$0

Total
255
128
383
$12,049,976
$34,878,208

Table 3.9-14
IMPLAN output: Year 2
Operation
750
231
981
$15,898,688
$51,523,456

Direct Employment
Indirect Employment
Total Employment
Total Labor Income
Total Output

Visitors
0.3
0.2
0.5
$15,942
$53,438

Total
750
231
981
$15,914,630
$51,576,894

Table 3.9-15
IMPLAN output: Year 3
Direct Employment
Indirect Employment
Total Employment
Total Labor Income
Total Output

Operation
900
277
1,177
$ 19,078,464
$ 61,828,224

Visitors
0.6
0.4
1
$31,885
$106,877

Total
901
278
1,179
$19,110,349
$61,935,101

Table 3.9-16
IMPLAN output: Summary
Direct Employment
Indirect Employment
Total Employment
Total Labor Income
Total Output

Year 1
255
128
383
$12,049,976
$34,878,208

Year 2
750
231
981
$15,914,630
$51,576,894

Year 3
901
278
1,179
$19,110,349
$61,935,101

Short-term minor beneficial effects would be expected from renovation in year 1 (Table 3.9-13).
The economic benefits of renovation would be temporary and diminish as the renovation projects
reach completion at the end of the first year. Bureau renovation activities are estimated to employ
more than 100 direct workers and generate about 80 indirect jobs in associated industry sectors.
The indirect jobs would be mostly in the food services, wholesale and retail trade, and
professional services sectors. The total estimated employment from renovation is about 190 jobs.
Renovation would also generate about $8.8 million in labor income and about $24.5 million in
output (i.e., business sales).
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-24

Environmental Assessment

Long-term minor beneficial economic effects would be expected from the operation of TCC. The
Bureau would ramp up operations at the TCC facility in the first year and bring in about 150
Bureau personnel. As shown in Table 3.9-13, the 150 Bureau direct jobs would generate an
additional 46 indirect and induced jobs in ROI, with labor income of about $3 million and
business sales output of about $10 million. In year 2 (Table 3.9-14), the Bureau would bring on
750 more direct hires. About 550 of these direct jobs could be filled by qualified ROI residents,
and an additional 230 indirect and induced jobs would be generated for the regional labor force.
Bureau operations would generate about $15 million in labor income and $51 million in business
sales (Table 3.9-14). By year 3 (Table 3.9-15), Bureau functions at TCC would be fully staffed at
about 900 employees. In total, about 350 of the direct jobs would be Bureau personnel transferred
to the region and about 550 jobs would be available for qualified persons in the ROI. About 275
indirect jobs would be created and expected to be filled by people residing in the ROI. Most of
the indirect jobs generated would be in the trade and professional services sectors. Bureau
operation of TCC would generate about $19 million in labor income and $61 million in business
sales in year 3 (Table 3.9-15).
Visitors to the TCC facility would also generate minor additional economic activity in the region.
When the Bureau would be fully staffed and has achieved maximum occupancy of TCC in year 3,
it would expect about 100 visitors a year. This activity would create additional jobs and sales in
the travel-related sectors (e.g., hotels, eating establishments, automobile rentals, air travel).
Table 3.9-16 summarizes the total economic effects by year. If and when the proposed Bureau
activities at TCC would become fully operational, they would be expected to generate more than
1,100 total jobs, about $19 million in labor income, and about $61 million in business sales
output for the ROI. The increase in employment would be modest relative to the size of the ROI’s
labor force of about 700,000 (see Table 3.9-2). Given the high unemployment rates, the Proposed
Action would provide much-needed jobs for the region.
3.9.2.1.2

Demographics

No adverse effects on population would be expected from implementing the Proposed Action.
The Proposed Action would increase the ROI population by about 865 people. This total includes
the Bureau personnel who would relocate to the ROI and an estimated number of dependents.4
The total represents a minor increase of 0.07 percent over the ROI 2008 population of almost 1.3
million (see Table 3.9-5). Growth is largely beneficial to an economy. The ability of the ROI to
accommodate this population growth would depend on many factors, including the degree to
which local infrastructure—including roads, environmental management systems, and public
services—is able to meet the demand of the additional population. Considering the minor
percentage increase in population growth (0.07 percent), and considering that 15 of the 22
counties in the ROI declined in population from 2000 to 2008 by about 13,400 people (see
Section 3.9.1.2), the infrastructure to support the increase in population should be available,
though more jobs could be needed to meet demand (see following discussion in Section
3.9.2.1.4).

4

From data provided by the Bureau, 350 personnel would be relocated to the ROI and could bring their dependents
with them. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s current population data for 2008, 67 percent of households are family households.
Assuming each employee represents one household, there would be about 235 family households (350 * 0.67 = 234.5) and the
remaining 116 households would be non-family and assumed to live alone. Per the U.S. Census data, the average family
household size is 3.2, for a total of about 750 persons (3.2 * 235 = 752). Adding the family household population to the nonfamily households equates to a total population of 866 (750 + 116 = 866) (Meyers, personal communication, 2009; U.S. Census
Bureau 2009b).
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-25

Environmental Assessment

3.9.2.1.3

Housing

Short-term minor adverse effects from potential lodging shortages and long-term beneficial
effects on the housing and lodging markets would be expected. About 350 Bureau personnel
would be relocated to the ROI. There are about 19,000 vacant housing units for sale or rent in the
ROI (see Table 3.9-7). Assuming each of the employees represents one household, and assuming
that within the housing stock there are housing units of suitable age, condition, and size to
accommodate their families, the amount of available housing should be sufficient to
accommodate these personnel. The influx of personnel would increase the demand for housing
units, which would have beneficial effects on a housing market that has been negatively affected
by the recession and mortgage crisis.
The 350 Bureau transferred personnel would likely need temporary housing when first moving to
the area before settling into a rental or purchased unit. Table 3.9-9 lists a total of 68 hotels with
5,110 rooms within the 60-mile ROI; within 30 miles of Thomson, Illinois, there are 25 hotels
with 1,512 rooms. In addition to the personnel, the Bureau estimates about 100 annual visitors to
the federal penitentiary. (Bureau outside visitors would include family, friends, attorneys, and
journalists). Considering also the current use of the hotels by those visiting or traveling through
the ROI, the demand for hotels could create a shortage of hotel rooms in the short term, forcing
personnel, visitors, or travelers to stay farther from their destination. Over the long term, the
market would respond to the demand by increasing the supply of hotel rooms in the region, which
would have beneficial effects on the accommodation and food services industry by increasing
industry sales and employment. The Bureau personnel would be phased in over a 2-year period,
which would help to disperse the demand over that period. Over time, the ROI economy would
respond to the new demand by increasing the supply of lodging facilities.
The Bureau personnel reassigned to the proposed facility at TCC would be provided with
transferring employees’ PCS travel benefits in accordance with 41 CFR Parts 300–304 (Federal
Travel Regulations), the Department of Justice travel regulation supplement, and the Bureau
travel regulation supplement. The Bureau Relocation Services Section staff would assist all
Bureau transferring employees with the transition to the new duty station using these regulations.
The Relocation Services staff would provide counseling on PCS travel benefits, provide travel
authorizations, prepare and process vouchers, and coordinate household goods shipments and
temporary storage (Ulrich, personal communication, 2009).
3.9.2.1.4

Quality of Life

The following paragraphs identify the anticipated effects for each of the key components of
quality of life. In the short term, the incoming population would increase demand for quality-oflife services. Growth is largely beneficial to an economy; however, labor and material shortages
could result if expansion occurred too rapidly or if increases in investment lagged behind
employment and population growth. Over time, the ROI economy would respond to the new
demands by increasing the labor force and supply of goods and services.
• Law enforcement, fire protection, and medical services. Long-term minor beneficial effects
would be expected. Long-term beneficial effects would result from new jobs created to meet
this demand and the demand for public services in general due to the total population
increase. Although the projected population increase from the Proposed Action is small
relative to the total ROI population, there would be a minor increase in demand on public
services. There would be a need for additional law enforcement, fire protection, and medical
services. Over time, public support services could adapt to the demands of the increased
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-26

Environmental Assessment

population base. The population influx and job creation would generate new income and
personal spending, increasing tax revenues for public services. Expansion of law
enforcement, firefighting, and medical services (i.e., increasing staff or acquiring new
facilities or equipment) would allow these departments to maintain adequate service levels
and emergency response times.
With an estimated increase in ROI population of about 865, and using a rate of 2.7 law
enforcement personnel per 1,000 inhabitants, an estimated additional 2 law enforcement
employees would be needed to serve the new ROI population.5 Using a rate of 7 firefighters
per 1,000 inhabitants, an additional 6 firefighters would be needed to serve the new ROI
population.6
The increased in population would also create additional demand for medical services. A
minor amount of additional medical service capacity in the ROI would be needed, such as
additional hospital beds, physicians, and nurses. With an estimated increase in local
population of about 865, and using the national rate of 2.7 community hospital beds per 1,000
persons, an estimated additional 2 community hospital beds could be needed in the ROI.
Using the national rate of 2.7 active physicians per 1,000 population, about 2 more physicians
could be needed; using the national rate of about 8 nurses per 1,000 population, about 7 more
nurses could be needed (NCHS 2009).7
The Bureau would establish Memorandums of Understanding with the local police, fire,
hospitals, medical helicopter transport, and ambulance services to provide emergency
response to TCC. Bureau inmates in need of medical treatment would be transported and
treated by the providers with which Bureau has a Memorandum of Understanding. The
Proposed Action would not affect the legislative jurisdictions of the municipal, county, or
state police and fire departments in the ROI.
The ROI offers a full range of medical care facilities that would be available to the incoming
Bureau personnel, such as trauma centers, burn centers, wound care, and oncology services
(see Table 3.9-11).

5
The rate of law enforcement personnel per 1,000 inhabitants is based on annual data reported to the Department of
Justice–Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Uniform Crime Report program. The rate is based on data reported to the Uniform
Crime Report program by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States; it does not reflect a recommended rate or
some defined law enforcement standard and should be viewed only as a guide (DOJ–FBI 2009). The rate reported for the
Midwestern Division of the United States was used for this EA analysis.
6
The rate of firefighters per 1,000 inhabitants is from the National Fire Protection Association’s U.S Fire Department
Profile through 2008. The rate is based on data reported to the National Fire Protection Association by fire departments
throughout the United States; it does not reflect a recommended rate or some defined fire protection standard (NFPA 2009). The
national rate of volunteer firefighters per 1,000 inhabitants was used for this EA because most of the fire departments in the ROI
are volunteer departments.
7
The rate of hospital beds, physicians, and nurses per 1,000 population is based on national data from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, reported in Health, United States, 2008 (NCHS
2009). These rates are national averages used for projection purposes in this study, and they do not reflect a recommended rate or
some defined standard.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-27

Environmental Assessment

• Schools. No adverse effects on schools would be expected from implementing the Proposed
Action. The Proposed Action would increase the number of school-age children in the ROI. It
is estimated that the Bureau personnel who would relocate to the area and could bring
spouses and dependents with them would have about 290 school-age children.8 This number
equates to a 0.1 percent increase in the ROI public school student population of about
210,000. (See schools discussion in Section 3.9.1.4.) Some of the families might also enroll
their children in area private schools. It is not expected that schools in the ROI would be
overburdened by the incoming student population. Some school districts are operating with
excess capacity or have closed schools due to declining population. (See schools discussion
in Section 3.9.1.4.) The increased population base would provide additional tax revenue to
support public schools.
• Support services, shopping, and recreation. Long-term minor beneficial effects would be
expected. The incoming population would increase demand for shopping, recreation, and
service facilities in ROI. Over the long term, the incoming population would stimulate job
growth and the development of new service, trade, and recreation facilities in the ROI.
3.9.2.1.5

Environmental Justice

No effects would be expected. The Proposed Action would not create disproportionately high or
adverse human health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations in the
ROI. The proposed renovation and operations activities at TCC are not actions that would have
the potential to substantially affect human health or the environment by excluding persons,
denying persons benefits, or subjecting persons to discrimination because of their race, color,
national origin, or income level. The ROI populations would benefit from the creation of new
jobs associated with implementation of this action.
3.9.2.1.6

Protection of Children

No effects on children would be expected from implementing the Proposed Action. There are no
residences, schools, churches, or parks on or adjacent to TCC. All proposed renovation activities
would occur within the fenced grounds. The facility would be operated as a maximum-security
penitentiary.
3.9.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effects on the economic or sociological environment would be expected. The changes in
population and economic activity that would occur under the Proposed Action would not occur
under the No Action Alternative.

8
From data provided by the Bureau, 350 personnel would be relocated to the ROI and could bring their dependents
with them. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s current population data for 2008, 67 percent of households are family households.
Assuming each employee represents one household, there would be about 235 family households (350 * 0.67 = 234.5). The
average number of children under 18 per family is 1.86, for a total of 436 children (1.86 * 234.5 = 436). Per the U.S. Census
data, about two-thirds of the children would be of school age, for a total of 288 school-age children (0.66 *436 = 288) (Meyers,
personal communication, 2009; U.S. Census Bureau 2009b,c).

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-28

Environmental Assessment

3.10

TRANSPORTATION

3.10.1 Affected Environment
Traffic in Thomson is generated primarily by personal operating vehicles. The roadways are
predominately paved, two-lane asphalt roads. Regional access to Thomson is provided by Route
84 from the north and south, and Routes 30 and 64 from the east and west. Interstate 88 travels
east to west between Chicago and Davenport, approximately 18 miles south of Thomson.
Travelers would approach and access TCC most efficiently via Route 84 and One Mile Road
once entering the area. The existing facility has direct access to One Mile Road. Annual average
daily traffic (AADT) on One Mile Road and Route 84 near the TCC is 50 and 4,600 vehicles per
day (vpd) respectively (IDOT, 2007). These roadways are not congested, and they operate well
under capacity.
TCC is one-half mile east of the Mississippi River and is directly adjacent to an active northsouth rail spur. The Quad City International Airport is located in Moline, Illinois, 40 miles south
of Thomson. There is no public transportation in Thomson.
3.10.2 Environmental Consequences
3.10.2.1 Proposed Action
Short- and long-term minor adverse effects on transportation resources would be expected. The
effects would be due to minor changes in localized traffic patterns from the additional personnel
and visitors at TCC. Access to TCC would be limited to the two existing vehicle entry control
points on One Mile Road. This would result in effects that are more noticeable on streets near the
site than on any of the regional roadways. Traffic in the immediate vicinity of TCC would
increase, with the highest number of vehicle trips occurring during peak traffic periods. Staff
would work on a three-shift basis, facilitating operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The
estimated morning and evening peak-period traffic volumes that would be generated from the
facility are shown in Table 3.10-1. This small increase in traffic would not affect the capacity of
any of the nearby roadway segments or intersections. Some temporary queuing could occur at the
entry control points and at nearby intersections during shift changes. Vehicles from the facility,
and on adjacent roadways, would be both lower in number and less likely to interfere with one
another during other periods. These effects would be minor.
Table 3.10-1
Estimated peak traffic from the Proposed Action
Peak Traffic (vph)
Thomson Correctional Center
Entering
Exiting

A.M.
249
129

P.M.
58
149

Source: ITE 2003.
Note: vph = vehicles per hour.

3.10.2.2 No Action Alternative
Selecting the No Action Alternative would result in no impact on transportation

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-29

Environmental Assessment

3.11

UTILITIES

3.11.1 Affected Environment
TCC is served by multiple utilities, including potable water, sanitary sewer, electricity, natural
gas, communications, and solid waste disposal. Storm water is managed on-site. Details on each
utility are provided below.
3.11.1.1 Potable Water Supply
Water for domestic use and fire protection is acquired from an elevated, 750,000- gallon-per-day
(gpd) water tank that was built by the Village of Thomson specifically for use by TCC. As of
October 2009, approximately 56,200 gpd was used at TCC (Sitzmore, personnel communication,
2009). An additional 100,000-gpd water source is used by the Village of Thomson; however, if
needed, water from the elevated water tank can be used. The water supply and distribution system
is operated and maintained by the Village of Thomson (Ashby, personal communication, 2009).
An intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Thomson and TCC permits TCC to use
an average daily demand of 300,000 gallons of water (Village of Thomson 1999); however, most
of this permitted capacity is unused.
3.11.1.2 Wastewater System
Wastewater is treated at the Thomson Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The design
average flow of the treatment plant is 800,000 gpd, however, the facility has been designed to
accommodate future growth and demand. The treatment facility has piping in place to accept
additional holding tanks if necessary. The daily demands for treatment from nearby industry and
the Village of Thomson are 250,000 gpd and 100,000 gpd, respectively (Ashby, personal
communication, 2009). An intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Thomson and
TCC permits TCC approximately 300,000 gallons of water treatment capacity per day (Village of
Thomson 1999); however, most of this permitted capacity is unused. The remaining available
treatment capacity is approximately 150,000 gpd. The Village of Thomson operates and
maintains the wastewater treatment plant.
3.11.1.3 Energy Sources
Jo Carroll Energy provides electrical and natural gas services. A medium-voltage substation
serves TCC and the surrounding area (USACE 2009a). In the event of a power outage, an
emergency generator with a rating of 2,000 kW, 2500 kVA, at 0.8 power factor, 480Y/277 volts,
60 Hz at 1,800 rpm is available to supply power to the entire facility. Fuel for the emergency
generator is supplied by an 8,000-gallon aboveground diesel fuel tank (Sitzmore, personnel
communication, 2010).
3.11.1.4 Communications
Gallatin River Communications (doing business as CenturyLink) provides communications
service to the Village of Thomson, including fiber optic cable, voice, data, and cable television
services (Sitzmore, personnel communication, 2009; USACE 2009a).

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-30

Environmental Assessment

3.11.1.5 Solid Waste
Solid waste at TCC is collected and disposed of by a private waste removal vendor. Operational
refuse such as paper, plastics, dietary remains, and other trash is placed into dumpsters. When
full, the dumpsters are unloaded into a compactor, which is removed by the vendor on a call-in
basis. Another dumpster that supports the minimum security area is picked up daily by the
vendor. The waste is then hauled to Prairie Hill Landfill in Morrison, Illinois, for disposal
(Sitzmore, personnel communication, 2010).
3.11.1.6 Storm Water
Storm water at TCC is directed to on-site storm water detention areas around the perimeter of the
facility. The detention areas drain rapidly because of the soil conditions (Sitzmore, personnel
communication, 2010).
3.11.2 Environmental Consequences
3.11.2.1 Proposed Action
No measurable adverse effects on utility systems would be expected. The utilities that were
installed for the existing facility would be used and utility systems and utility providers would be
expected to have adequate capacity to meet utility demands; therefore, negligible effects on utility
systems would be expected from implementing the Proposed Action.
The population of the facility would be approximately 2,900 people, including staff and inmates.
The staff would rotate through three shifts per day. Using average Bureau water usage data and
wastewater design flow rates, the operation of TCC would create the following approximate
demands on local utility systems. The typical water usage for an inmate is approximately 125 gpd
(Bureau 2009), and the amount used by staff would be approximately 25 gpd (NCAC 2006).
When inmate and staff usage is combined, the demand on potable water would be approximately
272,500 gpd. The remaining available water capacity from the 750,000-gpd water tank would be
approximately 477,500 gallons. An intergovernmental agreement for the purchase of water would
need to be negotiated with the Village of Thomson.
Using the same facility population and usage data, the demand on wastewater that might be
generated could be approximately 272,500 gpd. Although this amount would be expected to be
less than the typical water usage, it is used to represent a possible worst-case scenario of
wastewater generation. As mentioned in Section 3.12.1, local industry and the Village of
Thomson’s approximate daily demand for treatment is 350,000 gpd and the design average flow
of the treatment plant is 800,000 gpd. The remaining capacity of the wastewater treatment plant is
177,500 gpd. An intergovernmental agreement for the purchase of sewer service would need to be
negotiated with the Village of Thomson. No effects on electrical and natural gas systems would
be expected. Since only minor interior modifications to TCC are proposed no significant debris
would be generated; therefore, impacts to regional landfill capacities would not be expected.
3.11.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effect on utilities would result from implementing the No Action Alternative. No additional
demand on utility systems would be created.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-31

Environmental Assessment

3.12

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES

3.12.1 Affected Environment
Support facilities at TCC where hazardous materials or waste might be used or generated include
a vehicle maintenance garage, a medical facility, and emergency power sources. The vehicle
maintenance garage is used for minor vehicle maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotation, and
vehicle detailing. A triple-basin oil/water separator collects waste water from the floor drains in
the garage areas. The separator was periodically inspected by TCC personnel prior to closure of
the facility. There are no underground storage tanks on the premises; however, three aboveground
storage tanks were used for an emergency generator and motor vehicle fueling. Since TCC was
constructed in 2001, there have been no known environmental concerns associated with asbestos
or lead-based paint. Medical waste generated at TCC was held in a hazardous waste container that
was picked up every 8 weeks and taken to the Stericycle St. Paul, Minnesota, facility for
treatment. The waste was autoclaved and then sent to a landfill. The Acting Chief Engineer at
TCC was not aware of any environmental issues at the facility (Sitzmore, personnel
communication, 2009). An IEPA violation letter issued to TCC in 2002 indicated that
approximately 625 gallons of ethylene glycol was released into the sanitary sewer and eventually
passed through the Village of Thomson’s wastewater treatment plant (IEPA 2002). The release
was caused by a TCC contractor and did not directly affect TCC soils.
As part of the proposed acquisition, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was
completed to determine the environmental condition of the TCC property. During the
investigation no significant environmental issues were reported from historic or existing uses of
the property.
3.12.2 Environmental Consequences
3.12.2.1 Proposed Action
Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects related to hazardous materials, toxic substances,
and petroleum constituents would be expected from implementing the Proposed Action. In the
short term, modifications might involve the use of equipment, which might result in minor spills
from engines and equipment operation. Implementing BMPs during modifications would ensure
that any leaks or spills would be negligible. The presence of lead-based paint or asbestoscontaining materials would be unlikely because the facility was constructed in 2001. Over the
long term, there would be an increased use of materials such as petroleum, oils, lubricants,
solvents, and paints from the motor pool and operation and maintenance activities. Operations
that use hazardous materials and petroleum products would be conducted in compliance with all
local, state, and federal regulations, and thus no measureable adverse impacts would be expected.
3.12.2.2 No Action Alternative
No effect on hazardous and toxic substances would result from implementing the No Action
Alternative.

3.13

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS SUMMARY
The CEQ defines cumulative effects as the “impacts on the environment which result from the
incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable
future action regardless of what agency (federal or nonfederal) or person undertakes such other

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-32

Environmental Assessment

actions” (40 CFR 1508.7). Cumulative effects reasonably expected to result if the Proposed
Action is implemented as described in this EA are discussed below.
Air quality. The State of Illinois takes into account the effects of all past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable emissions during the development of its State implementation Plan under the Clean
Air Act. The state accounts for all significant stationary, area, and mobile emission sources in the
development of this plan. The activities associated with the Proposed Action would be de minimis
and would not be regionally significant. Therefore, the Proposed Action would not contribute
appreciably to cumulative effects on air quality within the ROI.
Socioeconomics. Beneficial cumulative socioeconomic effects would be expected. In addition to
this Proposed Action, a number of other economic development projects occurring in the region
would have short- and long-term beneficial effects on the regional economy by increasing
employment, income, and business sales volume. The projects include infrastructure
improvements (water, sewer, roads, and bridges); industrial development; recreational
development; and commercial and residential development.
Traffic and transportation. The Proposed Action would introduce long-term incremental
increases in traffic in the area. There are no planned or reasonably foreseeable actions that, when
added to the effect of the Proposed Action, would substantially change local road use or traffic
patterns. These changes would have negligible cumulative effects in the vicinity of TCC

3.14

MITIGATION SUMMARY
Mitigation actions are used to reduce, avoid, or compensate for adverse effects. The EA does not
identify the need for any mitigation measures, and it asserts that mitigation measures would not
be required to reduce the level of effect under NEPA to less than significant. Although the level
of effects would be minor for some resources, the following BMPs could be implemented with
the Proposed Action to reduce these already-limited effects:
•
•

Preparation of a storm water pollution prevention plan or an equivalent document
Conduct of storm water inspections and, when necessary, removal of accumulated
sediment at regularly scheduled intervals

Notably, the acquisition and operation of the facility would be accomplished in full compliance
with current Illinois regulatory requirements.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-33

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

3-34

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 4.0
CONCLUSIONS
4.1

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
This EA has been prepared to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the acquisition and
activation of the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois. Environmental
resources evaluated in the EA include land use, visual and aesthetic resources, air quality, noise,
soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, transportation,
utilities, and hazardous and toxic substances. The EA has examined the Proposed Action and the
No Action Alternative. The following provides a summary of the expected environmental effects
and the conclusions of the EA.
Land Use
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Visual and Aesthetic Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Air Quality
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on air quality would be
expected. The effects would be from air emissions during minor renovations and from
new vehicle trips from staff and visitors at TCC. The increases in emissions would be de
minimis (of minimal importance) and not regionally significant, and they would not
contribute to a violation of any federal, state, or local air regulation.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Noise
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects on the noise
environment would be expected. The noise would not exceed the standards determined
by federal, state, or local regulations. No construction and only minor renovations/
modifications would take place, and no increase in noise from these sources is
anticipated. Operation of the proposed activities at TCC would not generate disruptive
noise levels at the adjacent residences. Long-term changes in traffic would not constitute
a perceptible change in the noise environment. These effects would be negligible.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

4-1

Environmental Assessment

Soils
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Water Resources
Proposed Action. Negligible effects on surface water would be expected from
implementing the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action would be expected to raise the
total population at TCC and increase the demand for public water services (drinking
water supply and waste water treatment); however, the existing storage and treatment
capacity exceeds the expected increase in demand. The Proposed Action would not
contribute pollutants identified on the section 303(d) list as causing impairment.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Biological Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Cultural Resources
Proposed Action. No effects would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Socioeconomics
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term minor beneficial effects on the economic
environment within the region of influence would be expected. Short-term minor
beneficial effects would be expected from renovation activities at TCC. Long-term minor
beneficial economic effects would be expected from activation and operation of TCC as
Administrative USP Thomson.
No adverse effects on population would be expected.
Short-term minor adverse effects from potential lodging shortages and long-term
beneficial effects on the housing and lodging markets would be expected.
Long-term minor beneficial effects would be expected on law enforcement, fire
protection, and medical services. No adverse effects on schools would be expected.
Short-term minor adverse and long-term minor beneficial effects would be expected on
support services, shopping, and recreation.
No effects would be expected with respect to environmental justice or protection of
children.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

4-2

Environmental Assessment

Transportation
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term minor adverse effects on transportation resources
would be expected. The effects would be due to minor changes in localized traffic
patterns from the additional personnel and visitors at TCC.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Utilities
Proposed Action. No measurable adverse effects on utility systems would be expected.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Hazardous and Toxic Substances
Proposed Action. Short- and long-term negligible adverse effects related to hazardous
materials, toxic substances, and petroleum constituents would be expected from
implementing the Proposed Action. In the short term, modifications might involve the use
of equipment, which might result in minor spills from engines and equipment operation.
Implementing BMPs during modifications would ensure that any leaks or spills would be
negligible. Over the long term, there would be an increased use of materials such as
petroleum, oils, lubricants, solvents, and paints from the motor pool and operation and
maintenance activities.
No Action Alternative. No effects would be expected.
Cumulative effects. Cumulative effects could occur with respect to air quality, socioeconomics,
and traffic and transportation. None of the cumulative effects would be significant.
Mitigation. The EA considered mitigation actions to reduce, avoid, or compensate for adverse
effects. It did not identify the need for any mitigation measures.

4.2

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS
Analyses in the EA show that implementation of the Proposed Action would not result in
significant environmental or socioeconomic effects. Issuance of a Finding of No Significant
Impact would be appropriate, and an Environmental Impact Statement would not be required
prior to implementation of the Proposed Action.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

4-3

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

4-4

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 5.0
REFERENCES
ahd.com. 2009. American Hospital Directory. <http://www.ahd.com>. Accessed December 2009.
BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis). 2009a. Total full-time and part-time employment by
NAICS industry.
<http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/default.cfm?selTable=CA25N&series=NAICS>.
Accessed December 2009.
BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis). 2009b. Per capita personal income.
<http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/default.cfm?selTable=CA1-3&section=2>. Accessed
December 2009.
Bing.com. 2009. Bing Web site. <http://www.bing.com>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). 2009. Unemployment statistics.
<http://www.bls.gov/data/#unemployment>. Accessed December 2009.
Britannica. 2009. The Influences of Human Activity on Climate.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/235402/globalwarming/274822/Theinfluences-of-human-activity-on-climate>. Accessed June 3, 2009.
Carroll County, Illinois. 2009. Carroll County: From your backyard to ours.
<http://www.gocarrollcounty.com>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
CEQ (Council on Environmental Quality. 2010. Memorandum for Heads of Federal
Departments and Agencies on Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate
Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. February 18.
DOJ FBI (Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation). 2009. Crime in the United
States 2008. <http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/index.html>. Accessed December 2009.
Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisers. 2009. Technical memo on
Thomson. Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisers, Washington,
D.C.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Definitions of FEMA flood zone
designations. <http://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/info?storeId=
10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&content=floodZones&title=FEMA%20Flood
%20Zone%20Designations>. Accessed December 2009.
Fire Departments Network. 2009. Fire Departments Network: Leading fire department resource
nationwide. <www.firedepartments.net>. Accessed December 2009.
Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau). 2009. Places to Stay [in
Galena, Illinois]. <http://www.galena.org>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

5-1

Environmental Assessment

Google.com. 2009. Google Web site. <http://www.google.com>. Accessed December 3 and 4,
2009.
Hotels.com. 2009. Hotels.com Web site. <http://hotels.com>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
Idcide. 2009. Thompson, IL Weather. Website accessed at URL:
<http://www.idcide.com/weather/me/van-buren.htm>. Accessed December 2009.
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). 2007. 2007 Statewide Average Daily Total Traffic
Map.
IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) 2009. Source Water Assessment Program,
Thomson, Carroll County. <http://maps.epa.state.il.us/cgibin/swap/getpdf.cgi?type=cws&selector= carroll>. Accessed July 2010.
IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). Source Water Assessment Program Fact
Sheets, Thomson, Carroll County. <http://maps.epa.state.il.us/water/swap/FactSheets/
il_swap/cws/carroll/0150350.pdf>. Accessed December 2009.
IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Illinois Integrated Water Quality Report
and Section 303(d) List - 2008 Appendix A-1. Illinois' 2008 303(d) List. IEPA/BOW/08016. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Water.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 2007. Contribution of Working Group II to
the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1000 pp
ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers). 2003. Transportation Engineers Trip Generation
Manual, 7th ed.
Kayak.com. 2009. Kayak Web site. <http://kayak.com>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
Kuster, Reita, NEPA Manager, Rock Island Arsenal. Personal communication. December 2009.
Meyers, Craig, Associate General Counsel, Real Estate and Environmental Law, Federal Bureau
of Prisons. Personal communication. December 2009.
MIG (Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc.). 2009. IMPLAN.com: Economic Impact Modeling
Solutions. <http://implan.com/v3>. Accessed December 2009.
National Flood Insurance Program. Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map, map number 170019,
panel 0125B, Carroll County, IL (uncorporated areas), effective December 15, 1983.
National Flood Insurance Program. Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map, map number
17015, panel 0305C, Carroll County, IL, and incorporated areas.
<http://www.illinoisfloodmaps.org/DFIRMpdf/carroll/carroll_pre_0305.jpg>. Accessed
December 2009.
NCES (National Center for Education Statistics). 2009a. Common Core of Data, search for
schools. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center
for Education Statistics. <http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch>. Accessed December 2009.
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

5-2

Environmental Assessment

NCES (National Center for Education Statistics). 2009b. Digest of Education Statistics: 2008.
<http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08>. Accessed December 2009.
NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics). 2009. Health, United States, 2008, with Chartbook.
National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). 2009. U.S. Fire Department Profile through 2008.
National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy,
Massachusetts.
Orbitz.com. 2009. Orbitz Web site. <http://www.orbitz.com>. Accessed December 3, 2009.
Rickman , Dan S. and R. Keith Schwer. 1995. A comparison of the multipliers of IMPLAN,
REMI, and RIMS II: Benchmarking ready-made models for comparison. The Annals of
Regional Science (1995) 29:363-374. Springer-Verlag.
Scorecard. 2009. Pollutants or Environmental Stressors Impairing Water Quality.
<http://www.scorecard.org/env-releases/def/cwa_cause_class_def.html > Accessed
December 21, 2009.
Sitzmore, Daniel, Chief Engineer, Thomson Correctional Center. Personal communication.
December 10, 2009.
Travelocity.com. 2009. Travelocity Web site. <http://travelocity.com>. Accessed December 3,
2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2000. Census 2000 Summary Files 1 and 3.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=DEC&_
submenuId=datasets_1&_lang=en>. Accessed December 2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2009a. State and County QuickFacts.
<http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html>. Accessed December 2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2009b. 2006–2008 American Community Survey 3-year Estimates.
< http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS>. Accessed
December 2009.
U.S. Census Bureau. 2009c. Current Population Survey, March and Annual Social and Economic
Supplements, 2008 and earlier. Table FM-3. Average Number of Own Children Under 18
per Family, by Type of Family: 1955 to Present.
<http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hh-fam/fm3.xls>. Accessed December 2009.
Ulrich, Rod, Chief, Relocation Services Section, Federal Bureau of Prisons. 2009. Personal
communication. December 2009.
USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). 2009. Custom Soil Resource Report for Carroll County,
Illinois. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil
Survey. Accessed December 2009.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

5-3

Environmental Assessment

USDOE (U.S. Department of Energy) 2009. Federal Energy Management Program Federal
Water Use Indices <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/program/
waterefficiency_useindices.html > Accessed December 20 2009.
USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).). 2010. Climate Change - Health and
Environmental Effects. <http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/index.html>. Accessed
April 22, 2010.
USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2009. The Green Book: Nonattainment Areas
for Criteria Pollutants. <http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/greenbk.>. Accessed December
2009.
USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Apple-Plum Watershed Profile.
<http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=07060005?>. Accessed December 2009.
USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1974. Information on Levels of Environmental
Noise Requisite to Protect Public Health and Welfare with an Adequate Margin of Safety.
<http://www.nonoise.org/library/levels74/levels74.htm#table%20of%20contents>. Accessed
November 2009.
USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Midwest Region. 2009a.
<http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/lists/illinois-cty.html>. Accessed December 2009.
USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2009b. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Focal Species
Strategy for Migratory Birds. <http://www.fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/FocalSpecies/>.
Accessed December 2009.
USFWS NWI (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory). 2009.
<http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/DataDownload.html#State>. Accessed September 21,
2009.
Village of Thomson. 2009. Letter from Jerry Hebeler, Village President of Thomson, Illinois, to
Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois. October 2009.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

5-4

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 6.0
PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED
Note: All communications occurred between December 2009 and July 2010.
Ashby, Jeff. Director, Public Works Department, Village of Thomson, IL.
Balk, Jeff. Public Works Department, Village of Thomson, IL.
Boling, Ted. Senior Counsel, Council on Environmental Quality, Washington DC.
Cohn, Richard. Chief, Capacity Planning and Site Selection, Federal Bureau of Prisons,
Washington DC.
Eubanks, Curt. Superintendent, Minimum Security Unit, Thomson Correctional Center, Carroll
County, IL.
Gleason, Pat.. Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Greczmeil, Horst., Associate Director for NEPA Oversight, Council on Environmental Quality,
Washington DC..
Guzy, Gary. Deputy Director and General Counsel, Council on Environmental Quality,
Washington DC.
Hughes, Jeremy. GIS Technician, Carroll County, IL.
Lieb, Doug. Environmental Health Associate, Carroll County Health Department, Carroll County,
IL.
Limjoco, Jeff. Senior Counsel, Real Estate and Environmental Law, Federal Bureau of Prisons,
Washington DC.
Melius, Tom., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Meyers, Craig. Associate General Counsel, Real Estate and Environmental Law, Federal Bureau
of Prisons, Washington DC..
Sitzmore, Daniel. Acting Chief Engineer, Thomson Correctional Center. Carroll County, IL.
Smith, Doug. Plumber, Thomson Correctional Center, Carroll County, IL.
Ulrich, Rod. Chief, Relocation Services Section, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Washington DC.
Yuswak, Julie. Zoning Administrator, Carroll County, IL.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

6-1

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

6-2

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 7.0
LIST OF PREPARERS
Mike Betteker
M.S., Environmental Science and Engineering, Virginia Tech
B.S., Biology, Florida Institute of Technology
Years of Experience: 34
Michelle Cannella
Graduate Studies, Mineral Economics, Pennsylvania State University
B.S., Mineral Economics, Pennsylvania State University
Years of Experience: 16
Heather Conn
M.L.A., Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University
B.S., Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Kentucky
Years of Experience: 3
Eric Dohner
M.S., Marine Science, University of South Florida
B.S., Marine Biology, Millersville State College
Years of Experience: 23
Greg Hippert
B.S., Earth Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Years of Experience: 15
Jennifer Jarvis
B.S., Environmental Resource Management, Virginia Tech
Years of Experience: 11
Timothy Lavallee
LPES, Inc. Engineering and Planning
M.S., Environmental Health, Tufts University
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University
Years of Experience: 16
Hope Leininger
B.A., History, Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University
Years of Experience: 19
Martha Martin
B.A., English, Capital University
Years of Experience: 28

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

7-1

Environmental Assessment

Kristin Shields
B.A., Environmental Science, Sweet Briar College
Years of Experience: 18
Paul Wilbur, J.D.
J.D., Wayne State University Law School
B.A., English, University of Michigan
Years of Experience: 30

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

7-2

Environmental Assessment

SECTION 8.0
DISTRIBUTION LIST
The Honorable Jesse Jackson, Jr.
United States Representative
2416 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

FEDERAL AGENCIES
Mr. Tom Melius
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056

The Honorable Bill Foster
United States Representative
1339 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mr. Jerry Hebeler, Mayor
The Village of Thomson
Thomson Village Hall
P.O. Box 244
Thomson, IL 61285

The Honorable Jerry Costello
United States Representative
2408 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Pat Quinn
Governor of Illinois
State Capitol, 207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Phil Hare
United States Representative
428 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Richard Durbin
United States Senator
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Danny Davis
United States Representative
2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Ronald Burris
United States Senator
387 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Luis Gutierrez
United States Representative
2266 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Donald Manzullo
United States Representative
2228 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Peter Roskam
United States Representative
507 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Donald Manzullo
United States Representative
Rockford District Office
415 S Mulford Road
Rockford, IL 61108

The Honorable Mark Kirk
United States Representative
1030 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Aaron Schock
United States Representative
509 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Debbie Halvorson
United States Representative
1541 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-1

Environmental Assessment

The Honorable Bobby Rush
United States Representative
2416 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Tom Harkin
United States Senator
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable John Shimkus
United States Representative
2452 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Bruce Braley
United States Representative
1019 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mike Quigley
United States Representative
1319 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Tom Latham
United States Representative
2217 Russell House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Jan Schakowsky
United States Representative
2367 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Dave Loebsack
United States Representative
1221 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Daniel Lipiniski
United States Representative
1717 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

LIBRARIES
Illinois
York Township Public Library
1005 W Main Street
Thomson, IL 61285

The Honorable Timothy Johnson
United States Representative
1207 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Cambridge Public Library
212 West Center Street
Cambridge, IL 61238

The Honorable Judy Biggert
United States Representative
1034 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dixon Public Library
221 South Hennepin Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021

The Honorable Melissa Bean
United States Representative
432 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Freeport Public Library
100 East Douglas Street
Freeport, IL 61032
Galena Public Library
601 South Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036

The Honorable Chet Culver
Governor of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319-0001

Mercer Carnegie Public Library
200 North College Avenue
Aledo, IL 61231

The Honorable Charles Grassley
United States Senator
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-2

Environmental Assessment

Mount Carroll Township Public Library
208 North Main Street
Mount Carroll, IL 61053

Musser Public Library
304 Iowa Avenue
Muscatine, IA 52761

Odell Public Library
307 South Madison Street
Morrison, IL 61270

Tipton Public Library
206 Cedar Street
Tipton, IA 52772

Oregon Public Library
300 Jefferson Street
Oregon, IL 61061

Wisconsin
Johnson Public Library
131 E Catherine Street
Darlington, WI 53530

Princeton Public Library
698 East Peru Street
Princeton, IL 61356

Monroe Public Library
925 16th Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566

Rock Island Public Library
401 19th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Schreiner Memorial Library
113 W Elm
Lancaster, WI 53813

Rockford Public Library
215 North Wyman Street
Rockford, IL 61101

STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL
ENTITIES

Toulon Public Library
306 West Jefferson Street
Toulon, IL 61483
Iowa

Mr. Pat Gleason
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Old State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62701

Anamosa Public Library
600 E. First Street
Anamosa, IA 52205

Brad Albrecht
River Ridge School
balbrecht210.@yahoo.com

Carnegie-Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001

James Alexander
Illinois State Police
alessanj@isp.state.il.us

Clinton Public Library
306 8th Avenue S
Clinton, IA 52732

Julie Allesee
Clinton Chamber of Commerce
jallesee@clintonia.com

Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport, IA 52801

Steven Ames
Clinton Regional Development
Corporation, President/CEO
sames@clintondevelopment.com

Maquoketa Public Library
126 S. Second Street
Maquoketa, IA 52060

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-3

Environmental Assessment

Rick Baker
Quad City Chamber of Commerce,
President/CEO
rbaker@quadcitychamber.com

Richard Downey
City of Rock Falls, City Administrator
rdowney@rockfalls61071.com
Roger Drey
Morrison, IL, Mayor
mayor@morrisonil.org

Beth Balk
Thomson Police Department
thomson.police.chief@mchsi.com
Richard Basden
Clinton School District
rbasden@clintonia.org

Kim Ewoldsen
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of
Commerce, Executive Director
kewoldsen@saukvalleyareachamber.com

Tara Becker
Sauk Valley Newspapers
tbecker@svnmail.com

Jane Fagle
IA PTAC – Iowa State University
jafagle@iastate.edu

Corinne Bender
Morrison, IL, Chamber of Commerce,
Administrator
morrisonchamber@frontiernet.net

Bob Gable
Hanover, IL
bobgable2004@yahoo.com
Mike Gertson
Clinton Police Department, Captain
michaelgertson@gapa911.us

Heather Bennett
Fulton Chamber of Commerce,
Executive Director
chamber@cityoffulton.us

Suellen Girard
Morrison School District,
Superintendent
suellen.girard@morrisonschools.org

Mayor David Blanton
City of Rock Falls
rfmayor@rockfalls61071.com

Delos Groezinger
Elizabeth, IL
millerindser@miller.com

Brian Borger
TCEDA
bborger@tcedaonline.com

Julie Hansen
Savanna-Thomson State Bank
juliehansen@grics.net

Dennis Bowman
Savanna Chamber
radioshack@grics.net

Jerry Hebeler
Thomson Village, President
thomson.president@mchsi.com

Rene Chadwell
The Joint Staff
rene.chadewell@js.pentagon.smil.mil

Rodger Holm
City of Clinton, IA, Mayor
rodgerholm@ci.clinton.ia.us

Nina Cooper
Mount Carroll, IL, Alderman (Ward 1)
ngcooper@grics.net

Bob Houzenga
Camanche IAPD, Chief
camcop@mchsi.com

David Dornbusch
Blackhawk Hills RC & D
dave.dornbusch@il.usda.gov
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-4

Environmental Assessment

Steve Howes
Clinton Regional Development
Corporation
showes@howesandjefferies.com

Larry Russell
City of Fulton
linlar@frontiernet.net
Tom Roth
City of Camanche
tom_roth@mchsi.com

Mary Lou Kidder
Sauk Valley Community College
kidderm@svcc.edu

Daniel Solchenberger
Shive-Hattery
dsolchenberger@shive-hattery.com

Tom Kocal
Lanark Alderman/CCCEDS
tkocal@pacc-news.com

Larry Stebbins
City of Savanna, Mayor
mayor@savanna-il.us

Craig Mathers
West Carroll CUSD 314
cmathers@wc314.org
Zelma McNeal
Village of Chadwick, President
z.mcneal@chadwickil.com

Betty J. Steinert
Whiteside County Economic
Development
bsteinert@whiteside.org

Vicky Miller
IL PTAC @ BHC
millerv@bhc.edu

Paul Varner
Councilman/Camanche
sgtvarner@mchsi.com

Jason Nevel
Clinton Herald
jnevel8s@gmail.com

Amy Viering
City of Sterling
vierina@svcc.edu

Deb Olson
Clinton Community School District
deolson@clintonia.org

Jon Whitney
Thomson Chamber of Commerce
ccreview@grics.net

Virginia Petersen
River Bend Schools
vpeterse@roe55.k12.il.us

Doug Wiersema
Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce,
President/CEO
doug@rockfallschamber.com

Randy Prasse
TCEDA
rprasse@tcedaonline.com

Kelly Wilhelmi
Whiteside County Sheriff
kwilhelmi@whiteside.org

Jim Rhoades
Fulton Police Department, Chief
fpdchief@mchsi.com

Theresa Wittenauer
Blackhawk Hills RC & D
theresa.wittenauer@blackhawkhills.com

James Robertson
City of Camanche
jrroberto@mchsi.com

Robert Wood
Morrison, IL
sylvesterwood@yahoo.com

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-5

Environmental Assessment

Bi-State Regional Commission
dbulat@bistateonline.org

Rock Island County Chairman of the
Board
jbohnsack@co.rock-island.il.us

Quad Cities First – Communications and
Public Relations
ebarreca@IowaQCchamber.com

Stark County Board Chairman
m.bigger@mchsi.com

Bureau County Clerk
bureaucountyclerk@yahoo.com

Stephenson County Chairman of the
Board
jblum@co.stephenson.il.us

Bureau County Tourism
bctourism@mchsi.com

Stephenson County Administration
Board Chair
shooper@co.stephenson.il.us

Carroll County Administrator
mdoty@carroll-county.net
Carroll County Clerk and Recorder
ccclerk1@carroll-county.net

Stephenson County Administration
Board Chair
awire@co.stephenson.il.us

Henry County Chairman of the Board
tomcnicholson@yahoo.com

Morrison Chamber of Commerce
morrisonchamber@frontiernet.net

Henry County Executive Committee
Chair
jsovanski@henrycty.com

Winnebago County Board
CountyBoardChairmansOffice@co.
winnebago.il.us

Henry County
INFO@HENRYCty.com

Quad Cities Iowa Chamber of
Commerce - President and CEO
tbarney@IowaQCchamber.com

Jo Davies County Board Chair
schultz@aeroinc.net

Cedar County Board of Supervisors
bos@cedarcounty.org

Jo Davies County Executive Committee
Chair
mapesfarms@aeroinc.net

Clinton County Chairperson
jdavisson@clintoncounty-ia.gov

Lee County Industrial Development
Association and Dixon Chamber of
Commerce
dchamber@essex1.com

Clinton County Vice Chair
jstaszewski@clintoncounty-ia.gov
Clinton County Executive Assistant
ltibbetts@clintoncounty-ia.gov

Mercer County Chairman of the Board
mhenry@mercercountyil.org

Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Office@dubuquechamber.com

Aledo Chamber of Commerce
aledochamber@frontiernet.net
dsharp@aledochamber.org

City of Dubuque City Manager
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org

Ogle County Administrator
ocadmin@oglecounty.org
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-6

Environmental Assessment

Mary Ann Specht
Dubuque County Board of Supervisors,
Administrative Assistant
maryannspecht@dbqco.org

Green County Board of Supervisors –
Chair
juda@cngco.com
Lafayette Board of Supervisors
Members
twiegel@yousq.net
wayne@mhtc.net

Jackson County Tourism and Welcome
Center
jcedc@iowatelecom.net
Jackson County Board of Supervisors –
Admin Assistant
cbos@co.jackson.ia.us

Lafayette County
Linda.bawden@lafayettecountywi.org

Jackson County Recorder
aschauf@co.jackson.ia.us
Anamosa Chamber of Commerce
director@anamosachamber.org
Monticello Chamber of Commerce
chamber@macc-ia.us
Jones County Board of Supervisors
supv5@co.jones.ia.us
Muscatine Board of Supervisors – Chair
DeanLaw@machlink.com
Muscatine County Reporter
recorder@co.muscatine.ia.us
Scott County Board of Supervisors Chair
cgallin@scottcountyiowa.com
Scott County Board of Supervisors –
general
board@scottcountyiowa.com
Grant County Executive Committee
Chair
keeney97@tds.net
Grant County Administrative
Committee Member
keeney97@tds.net
wolfinv@chorus.net
Green County Tourism
tourism@greencounty.org
Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-7

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

8-8

Environmental Assessment

Appendix A
Presidential Directive, December 15, 2009

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

A-1

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

A-2

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2009
December 15, 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
SUBJECT:

Directing Certain Actions with Respect to
Acquisition and Use of Thomson Correctional
Center to Facilitate Closure of Detention
Facilities at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

By the authority vested in me as President and as Commander
in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,
including the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public
Law 107-40, 115 Stat. 224), and in order to facilitate the
closure of detention facilities at the Guantanamo Bay Naval
Base, I hereby direct that the following actions be taken as
expeditiously as possible with respect to the facility known
as the Thomson Correctional Center (TCC) in Thomson, Illinois:
1.

The Attorney General shall acquire and activate the TCC as
a United States Penitentiary, which the Attorney General
has determined would reduce the Bureau of Prisons' shortage
of high security, maximum custody cell space and could be
used for other appropriate inmate or detainee management
purposes. The Attorney General shall also provide to the
Department of Defense a sufficient portion of the TCC to
serve as a detention facility to be operated by the
Department of Defense in order to accommodate the
relocation of detainees by the Secretary of Defense
in accordance with paragraph 2 of this memorandum.

2.

The Secretary of Defense, working in consultation with the
Attorney General, shall prepare the TCC for secure housing
of detainees currently held at the Guantanamo Bay Naval
Base who have been or will be designated for relocation,
and shall relocate such detainees to the TCC, consistent
with laws related to Guantanamo detainees and the findings
in, and interagency Review established by, Executive
Order 13492 of January 22, 2009.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at
law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its
departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees,
or agents, or any other person.
The Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to publish
this memorandum in the Federal Register.
BARACK OBAMA
# # #

This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Assessment

Appendix B
Agency Coordination Letters

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

B-1

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

B-2

Environmental Assessment

Note to Readers: the following agency scoping documents were circulated in support of an earlier
version of the Proposed Action. Under that plan, the BOP would grant the Department of Defense
(DoD) a permit to use up to three housing units at TCC to house individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay
Naval Base, Cuba. DoD proposed constructing a number of additional facilities for TCC, including a
new perimeter fence, four towers, a new warehouse, a motor pool, a new parking lot and several other
buildings. The current Proposed Action does not include DoD construction since this facility is being
acquired for the housing of federal inmates. However, the following letters and agency responses are
provided in this EA because they reviewed a greater range of potential environmental impacts than
currently considered under the Proposed Action.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

B-3

Environmental Assessment

This page intentionally left blank.

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

B-4

TETRA TECH, INC.
10306 Eaton Pl., Suite 340
Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone (703) 385-6000
FAX (703) 385-6007

December 11, 2009
Mr. Tom Melius
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056
Subject: Environmental Assessment (EA) for Thomson Correction Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois
Dear Mr. Melius:
The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is preparing an EA to evaluate the impacts of
acquiring and operating the TCC located approximately one mile northwest of the Village of Thomson,
Illinois. The Illinois Department of Corrections built the prison in 2001 for 1,600 maximum- and 200
minimum-security inmates. The principal facilities consist of eight 200-bed housing units, a minimumsecurity unit for housing 200 inmates, administration functions, prisoner programs, prisoner support, and
warehouse facilities. The facility currently houses approximately 200 minimum-security inmates; the
maximum-security housing units have never been occupied.
Under the proposed action, the BOP would purchase TCC from the State of Illinois and relocate 1,8002,000 inmates to TCC, to be operated as Administrative U.S. Penitentiary (USP) Thomson, from other
federal facilities. The BOP would grant a permit to the Department of Defense (DoD) for use of three
housing units for individuals currently detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba by Joint Task
Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO).
To operate Administrative USP Thomson, the BOP would transfer between 300 and 350 trained federal
corrections officers and staff from other facilities. In addition, the BOP would hire 550 to 600 additional
personnel from the local region and train them for correctional duties. Physical modifications to the
facility for BOP use would be minimal.
Relocation of the JTF-GTMO facility would require the re-stationing of about 900 DoD personnel to
Administrative USP Thomson. In order to accommodate personnel and mission requirements, DoD
would erect some modular buildings, expand the existing parking area, add a helo-pad, erect a new
perimeter fence and watchtowers, and add new entry control points. During the initial transition period,
some portion of the DoD personnel would occupy two existing buildings at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA)
until modular facilities could be put in place at Administrative USP Thomson. Also, to reduce the JTF-T
footprint at Administrative USP Thomson, a cadre of 250 to 500 personnel could be assigned to spaces at
RIA on a regular basis.
The proposed action provides for like-use of the area at TCC and involves minor construction and
renovation as described above. The area within the project boundary consists entirely of mowed grass
with some sparsely-placed shrubbery. Much of the facility is already fenced-in, overall represents poor
quality wildlife habitat, and is not expected to be utilized by any state or federally-listed species. The
land surrounding the TCC property is almost entirely agricultural. Any disturbance to wildlife in the
surrounding area from construction activities would be minimal and limited to the term of construction

1

activities. The two buildings at RIA would involve interior modifications only and are entirely within the
highly urbanized cantonment area. The proposed action is expected to have no effects on any state or
federally listed species, migratory birds, or their habitats.
This correspondence is being sent as part of the agency scoping for the EA. For reference, location and
site maps have been included with this correspondence. Please submit any comments you have on the
proposed action via letter correspondence or agency stamp to this letter to my attention within 30 days of
receipt of this letter. I will follow-up with you by phone next week to ensure that you have received this
letter and to see if you have any fish and wildlife concerns of which we are not aware.
Please contact Dr, Neil D. Robison, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District at (251) 690-3018 or
via email at Neil.d.robison@usace.army.mil. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Very Respectfully,

Eric T. Dohner, Director
Tetra Tech, Inc.

2

This page intentionally left blank.

TETRA TECH, INC.
10306 Eaton Pl., Suite 340
Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone (703) 385-6000
FAX (703) 385-6007

December 11, 2009
Mr. Pat Gleason
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Old State Capitol
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Subject: Environmental Assessment (EA) for Thomson Correction Center (TCC), Thomson, Illinois
Dear Mr. Gleason:
The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is preparing an EA to evaluate the impacts of
acquiring and operating the TCC located approximately one mile northwest of the Village of Thomson,
Illinois. The Illinois Department of Corrections built the prison in 2001 for 1,600 maximum- and 200
minimum-security inmates. The principal facilities consist of eight 200-bed housing units, a minimumsecurity unit for housing 200 inmates, administration functions, prisoner programs, prisoner support, and
warehouse facilities. The facility currently houses approximately 200 minimum-security inmates; the
maximum-security housing units have never been occupied.
Under the proposed action, the BOP would purchase TCC from the State of Illinois and relocate 1,8002,000 inmates to TCC, to be operated as Administrative U.S. Penitentiary (USP) Thomson, from other
federal facilities. The BOP would grant a permit to the Department of Defense (DoD) for use of three
housing units for individuals currently detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba by Joint Task
Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO).
To operate Administrative USP Thomson, the BOP would transfer between 300 and 350 trained federal
corrections officers and staff from other facilities. In addition, the BOP would hire 550 to 600 additional
personnel from the local region and train them for correctional duties. Physical modifications to the
facility for BOP use would be minimal.
Relocation of the JTF-GTMO facility would require the re-stationing of about 900 DoD personnel to
Administrative USP Thomson. In order to accommodate personnel and mission requirements, DoD
would erect some modular buildings, expand the existing parking area, add a helo-pad, erect a new
perimeter fence and watchtowers, and add new entry control points. All of these construction activities
would occur within the current footprint of the TCC on lands that were extensively disturbed when the
State of Illinois constructed the existing prison complex and its supporting structures. As TCC is
surrounded by actively used farmland containing no standing structures, visual impacts to significant
architectural resources would not occur. It is therefore recommended that the proposed construction
activities at the TCC will have no impact on properties on or eligible for the National Register of Historic
Places.
During the initial transition period, some portion of the DoD personnel would occupy two existing
buildings at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) until modular facilities could be put in place at Administrative
USP Thomson. Also, to reduce the JTF-T footprint at Administrative USP Thomson, a cadre of 250 to
500 personnel could be assigned to spaces at RIA on a regular basis.

1

Work at RIA will be limited to interior modifications to two buildings—66 and 250. Both buildings have
been evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. Building 250 was determined
not to be eligible. Building 66, a former warehouse, is NRHP eligible. RIA currently has a Memorandum
of Agreement with your office regarding exterior modifications of NRHP properties (replacement of
windows and new roofing). For this proposed action, all renovation work for Building 66 will be limited
to interior modifications and no exterior building fabric elements that contribute to its NRHP eligibility
will be affected. Therefore, no effects to RIA NRHP-eligible architectural resources are anticipated.
This correspondence is being sent as part of the agency scoping for the EA. For reference, location and
site maps have been included with this correspondence. Please submit any comments you have on the
proposed action via letter correspondence or agency stamp to my attention within 30 days of receipt of
this letter. Please contact Dr, Neil D. Robison, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District at (251)
690-3018 or via email at Neil.d.robison@usace.army.mil. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Very Respectfully,

Kristin J. Shields, Director
Tetra Tech, Inc.

2

This page intentionally left blank.

Environmental Assessment

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AADT

Annual average daily traffic

A.M.

ante meridiem (i.e. before noon)

BMPs

best management practices

BOP

[Federal] Bureau of Prisons

CEQ

Council on Environmental Quality

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

dBA

A-weighted decibels

EA

Environmental Assessment

EO

Executive Order

FNSI

Finding of No Significant Impact

gpd

gallons per day

HUC

Hydrologic Unit Code

Hz

hertz

IEPA

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

IMPLAN

Impact Analysis for Planning Model

ITE

Institute of Transportation Engineers

kVA

kilovolt-amperes

kW

kilowatt

MABAS

Mutual Aid Box Alarm System

NAAQS

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NOA

Notice of Availability

NRHP

National Register of Historic Places

PCPI

per capita personal income

P.M.

post meridiem (i.e. after noon)

PM10

particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter

PM2.5

particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter

ROI

region of influence

sf

square feet

SHPO

State Historic Preservation Office

TCC

Thomson Correctional Center

U.S.C.

United States Code

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010

Environmental Assessment

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

USEPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS

U.S. Geological Survey

USP

United States Penitentiary

UST

underground storage tank

vpd

vehicles per day

Thomson Correctional Center, Thomson, Illinois

August 2010