[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19801]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 12, 1994]


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Part IV





Department of the Interior





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Bureau of Indian Affairs



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Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed 
Lease to Construct and Operate a Biosolids Composting Facility; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

 

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
a Proposed Lease to Construct and Operate a Biosolids Composting 
Facility on the Kintano Allotment of the Torres Martinez Indian 
Reservation, Riverside County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
a proposed lease to construct and operate a biosolids composting 
facility on allotted land owned by Joseph Kintano of the Torres 
Martinez Indian Reservation in Riverside County, California. A 
description of the proposed project, location, and environmental 
considerations to be addressed in the EIS are provided below (see 
supplemental information). In addition to this notice, a public meeting 
regarding the proposal and preparation of the EIS will be held.
    This notice is published in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found in 40 CFR 1501.7. The 
purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and information from 
other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in 
the EIS. Comments and participation in this scoping process are 
encouraged.

DATES: Comments should be received by September 15, 1994. A public 
scoping meeting will be held on September 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Ronald Jaeger, Area 
Director, Sacramento Area Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 
95825. A public scoping meeting will be held on September 1, 1994, at 
7:00 p.m. at the Oasis Elementary School--Multi-Purpose Room located at 
88-775, Avenue 76, Oasis, CA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald B. Knapp, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sacramento Area 
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, telephone (916) 978-
4703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: East Valley Farms, Inc. has proposed to 
lease a 40-acre allotment from Joseph Kintano of the Torres Martinez 
Band of Cahuilla Indians for the purpose of constructing and operating 
a biosolids (digested sewage sludge) composting facility. The facility 
would be operated by Pima Gro Systems, Inc., a sister company of East 
Valley Farms. The facility would receive daily shipments of treated 
Class B sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants at other 
locations in southern California. Approximately 15,000 tons per month 
of sludge would be delivered to the facility by truck. Pima Gro 
proposes to use an aerated windrow compost process to produce 8,000 
tons per month of fully treated and composted material. The compost 
product would be sold to agricultural users and nurseries for use as a 
soil amendment.
    The project site is located in the Coachella Valley in south-
central Riverside County approximately 35 miles southeast of the city 
of Palm Springs. The project vicinity is generally rural with 
agriculture and aquaculture being the predominant land uses.
    The EIS will address numerous environmental issues, including: 
geology and soils, water quality, air quality, (including odor and 
dust), health and safety, biological resources, cultural resources, 
traffic, land use, and noise, as well as any additional issues raised 
during the scoping process.

    Dated: August 5, 1994.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-19801 Filed 8-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P