While the study that suggests the worth of a Pahrump site for a proposed federal detention center suggested a majority of the employees will come from "the two county area," a letter to Pahrump resident J.E. Holmgren noted:

"The EIS authors anticipate detention center employment requirements that emphasize education and past experience, together with rigorous personal and financial background checks as a condition of employment. As a result, and assuming a conservative estimate, only a relatively small portion of the current Pahrump resident population would qualify for employment at the proposed facility."

Economic Development Coordinator Al Balloqui said Pahrump job-seekers shouldn't feel discouraged by that remark.

"They have agreed to work through Victoria Balint at JobConnect to bring on and recruit as many people from Pahrump as possible," he said.

Sixty-six form letters are included in the final EIS from residents supporting the Parque Avenue site for the federal detention center in Pahrump. Another 33 form letters support any site in Pahrump.

The Office of the Federal Detention Trustee stated: "Community acceptance and support is an important factor to the overall success of the proposed action. The support offered by residents of Pahrump for the proposal to house federal detainees in a contractor-owned/operated detention facility in Pahrump is greatly appreciated."

Letters of opposition came from chiropractor Dr. Melissa Plant, a 23-year Pahrump resident, who said she worked a long time to safeguard her family in the rural setting of Pahrump.

Pahrump residents Calvin and Norma Morrison said Nye County faces long-term challenges over water supply. The Morrisons touted the advantages of the Moapa site.

Traffic into the detention center would be heaviest around the change of shifts at 3 p.m., the study states. An estimated 162 to 201 vehicles will be added to the traffic load on Highway 160 heading southbound from Mesquite Avenue during the peak hour.

Buildings would be one to four stories high and built to be unobtrusive, the EIS states. The nearest cluster of residences is 800 feet away.

Corrections Corp. of America will be required to prepare a contingency plan for responding to emergencies like fires, riots, escapes and hostage takings. The U.S. Marshals Service would be responsible to apprehend any escaped detainees.

But the EIS, based on the experience in other locations, said the facility won't increase crime in the community.

Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said he will express his security concerns with the Marshals Service. He was worried the facility will initially be 1,500 beds but could eventually be expanded to as many as 10,000.

Comments may be sent to: Scott Stermer, assistant trustee, Office of the Federal Detention Trustee, 4601 N. Fairfax Drive, Ninth Floor, Arlington, Va., 22203. The fax number is 202-353-4611. The comment period expires April 28.