[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28892-28893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13949]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Master Development Plan for Section 14 on the Agua 
Caliente Indian Reservation, Located Within the Boundaries of the City 
of Palm Springs, Riverside County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs (BIA) and the City of Palm Springs, in cooperation with the 
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, intend to prepare a joint 
Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIS/
EIR) for the approval of the Section 14 Master Development Plan on the 
Agua Caliente Indian Reservation located within the boundaries of the 
City of Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. A description of 
the proposed project, location, and environmental considerations to be 
addressed in the EIS/EIR are provided below. In addition to this 
notice, two public meetings will be held on the proposal and the 
preparation of the EIS/EIR. This notice is published in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found in 40 
CFR 1508.22. 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/EIR. Comments and participation in this 
scoping process are encouraged.

DATES: Comments should be received within 30 days of the date of this 
Notice. Public scoping meetings will be held June 11, 1997, from 1:30 
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and June 12, 1997, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Ronald Jaeger, Area 
Director, Sacramento Area Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W2550, 
Sacramento, California 95825. Public scoping meetings will be held on 
June 11, 1997, at the Planning Commission Meeting in the City Council 
Chambers, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 
California, which begins at 1:30 p.m. (public hearings begin at 2:00 
p.m.) and ends at 5:00 p.m., telephone number (760) 323-8245; and on 
June 12, 1997, at the Palm Springs Public Library, 300 South Sunrise 
Way, Palm Springs, California, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., telephone 
number (760) 322-7323.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Eckart, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sacramento Area 
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W2550, Sacramento, California 95825, 
telephone number (916) 979-2600 extension 254; or Gloria Mesteth, 
Environmental Coordinator, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Palm Springs Field 
Office, 555 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California 92263, 
telephone number (760) 323-1725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is approval of the 
Section 14 Master Development Plan, which will facilitate approval of 
future leases on trust lands by the BIA in Section 14. Section 14 is 
located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in downtown Palm 
Springs. It is comprised of Tribally owned parcels, allotted parcels, 
and parcels owned in fee. The section is bounded by Alejo Road to the 
north, Sunrise Road to the east, Ramon Road to the south, and Indian 
Canyon Drive to the west. The 640 acre section is one block east of 
downtown Palm Springs and one mile west of Palm Springs Regional 
Airport.
    The intent of the Section 14 Master Development Plan is to (1) 
create an attractive, feasible and marketable vision for the area's 
development; (2)

[[Page 28893]]

achieve the highest and best use of Indian trust lands; (3) maximize 
and coordinate the development potential of Indian trust and fee lands 
in Section 14; (4) ensure compatibility with existing, proposed and 
planned development in the downtown area; (5) achieve a comprehensive 
master plan of development that is high quality, marketable and can be 
implemented in a timely manner; (6) revitalize existing uses; and (7) 
provide a specific plan that ensures quality development will occur 
independent of ownership.
    Businesses that are expected to be attracted and which will result 
in new construction include restaurants and a variety of retail 
establishments. These establishments will consist of cinemas, live 
theaters, museums, and ``entertainment retail'' shopping where 
customers are entertained as they browse. There will also be health, 
sports and recreational complexes along with a large-scale hotel 
located across from the existing Convention Center.
    In addition to the new development, existing structures will 
receive facade rehabilitation in order to blend in with the new 
destination resort theme of Section 14. Streets and streetscapes will 
be redesigned and enhanced within the section to promote a pedestrian-
friendly, destination resort environment.
    Alternative transportation modes will be established within the 
area to help limit the amount of automobile traffic. Walkways and 
bikeways will be linked into the existing street grid and the major 
attractions of the area. Shade features, such as awnings, overhangs and 
trellises will be established to attract both recreational and 
destination oriented pedestrians and cyclists. A rubber-tire shuttle 
will be installed linking Section 14, the airport and downtown with 
stops at major hotels and attractions.
    Required actions by the BIA and the City of Palm Springs to be 
evaluated in the EIS/EIR are the approval of lease transactions by the 
BIA and the approval of a Specific Plan, General Plan amendments, and 
zone changes by the City of Palm Springs. Environmental issues expected 
to be addressed include: topography, geology, soils, seismicity, water 
resources, biological resources, cultural and scientific resources, 
land use, air quality, traffic, noise, health and safety, public 
services and utilities, light and glare, and visual resources. In 
addition to the Year 2010 project proposal, the EIS/EIR will address a 
number of alternatives, including (1) no action, which would keep the 
City of Palm Springs' General Plan in effect, (2) less intense 
development, (3) an alternate design, and (4) an ultimate build-out of 
50 years. The range of issues addressed may be expanded, depending upon 
comments received during the scoping process.
    This notice is published pursuant to Sec. 1501.7 and Sec. 1508.22 
of the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR, Part 1500 
through 1508) implementing the procedural requirements of the NEPA of 
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Department of the Interior 
Manual (516 DM 1-6) and is in the exercise of authority delegated to 
the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by 209 DM-8.

    Dated: May 22, 1997.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-13949 Filed 5-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P