[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5484]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 10, 1994]


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Part V





Department of the Interior





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Bureau of Indian Affairs



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White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation, AZ; Environmental Impact 
Statement; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

 
White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation, AZ; Environmental 
Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is issuing this notice to 
advise the public that it intends to gather information necessary for 
the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
construction of a proposed water development project on the White 
Mountain Apache Indian Reservation in Navajo County located in east 
central Arizona. The BIA originally published a Notice of Intent in the 
November 30, 1987, Federal Register and held public scoping meetings on 
December 15, 1987, in Whiteriver, Arizona and December 16, 1987, in 
Phoenix, Arizona. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
compliance process has been held in abeyance since that time to allow 
for additional planning and information gathering. It is now determined 
that it is appropriate to resume that process.
    This notice is being furnished as required by the NEPA regulations 
(40 CFR 1501.7) to obtain suggestions and information from other 
agencies and the public on the scope of the issues to be addressed in 
the EIS. Comments and participation in this scooping process are 
solicited.

DATES: Written comments should be received by March 30, 1994. Scoping 
meetings to identify issues and alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS 
will be held on March 30, 1994, at the White Mountain Apache Tribal 
Headquarters, Hwy 73, Whiteriver, Arizona at 7 p.m. The second scoping 
meeting is scheduled for March 31, 1994, at the Holiday Inn Crown 
Plaza, Adams and Central Avenue (downtown), Phoenix, Arizona at 7 p.m. 
Oral and written comments along with participation by the public in the 
scoping process is encouraged and should be directed to the addresses 
provided below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Walter Mills, Phoenix 
Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, P.O. Box 10, Phoenix, Arizona 
85001 and/or Mr. Ben Nuvamsa, Superintendent, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
Fort Apache Agency, P.O. Box 560, Whiteriver, Arizona 85941.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy L. Heuslein, Environmental 
Protection Officer, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Phoenix Area Office, 
Environmental Quality Services, P.O. Box 10, Phoenix, Arizona 85001, 
Telephone (602) 379-6750 or Mr. Dennis Jones, Land Operations Officer, 
BIA Fort Apache Agency, P.O. Box 560, Whiteriver, Arizona 85941, 
Telephone (602) 338-5378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Indian Affairs in cooperation 
with the White Mountain Apache Tribe will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement on a proposed water development project located on the 
Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The proposed action involves 
the construction and operation of the proposed Miner Flat Dam Project 
and associated facilities on the White River in the Salt River Drainage 
system. Alternative structures and locations will be analyzed. The need 
for the proposed project is to expand an irrigation system for 
agriculture development, recreational benefits and hydropower 
production for residential, community, and industrial purposes on the 
reservation.
    Significant issues to be addressed during the scoping process 
include: Biotic (threatened and endangered species); archeological, 
cultural and historical sites; socioeconomic conditions; visual and 
land use; resource use patterns; air and water quality. Potential 
environmental impacts that may result from the proposal are: Cultural, 
biological and water resources.
    This notice is published pursuant to Sec. 1501.7 of the Council of 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) implementing 
the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371 et. seq.) and the Department of the 
Interior Manual (516 DM 1-6).

    Dated: March 3, 1994.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-5484 Filed 3-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P