[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 119 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 33945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16561]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Notice of Public Comment Period on Proposed Agreement for Leasing 
of Colorado River Water and Non-Irrigation of Lands on Chemehuevi 
Indian Reservation

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Chemehuevi Indian Tribe entered into an agreement with 
Southeastern Nevada Water Company, Inc., dated January 31, 1998, for a 
25-year lease of 5,000 acre-feet per year of the Tribe's Colorado River 
water entitlement. The agreement has been submitted to the Secretary of 
the Interior with a request for the Secretary's approval as a lease of 
Indian lands within the meaning of 25 U.S.C. 415 and for approval under 
25 U.S.C. 81. As part of the Secretary's review, the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs has determined it is in the public interest to allow an 
opportunity for interested parties to comment on the proposed lease.

DATES: Any comments must be received by the agency on or before August 
6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments to the 
Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Attention: Ms. Cathy Wilson, 
Phoenix Area Office, P.O. Box 10, MS 420, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Chemehuevi Indian Tribe is a federally 
recognized Indian tribe organized under section 16 of the Indian 
Reorganization Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 476). The Tribe is the 
beneficial owner of the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation which is located 
entirely within San Bernardino County, California. On February 2, 1998, 
the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe provided the proposed Agreement for the 
Leasing of Reservation Water and for Non-Irrigation of Reservation 
Lands to the Secretary of the Interior for approval. If the lease is 
approved by the Secretary, it will become effective upon that approval 
and remain in effect for a term of 25 years.
    Under the proposed lease agreement, the Tribe will lease 5,000 
acre-feet of Colorado River water per year to the lessee, Southeastern 
Nevada Water Company, Inc. The lessee is a for-profit corporation, 
organized under the laws of the State of Nevada and based in 
Scottsdale, Arizona. The lessee is authorized to do business in the 
State of California and will use the water acquired during the period 
of the lease to meet the present and future water demands of the lessee 
and any sublessees or assignees in the State of California.
    Copies of the lease are available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
at the address listed under ADDRESSES. In addition, the Tribe is 
assessing the environmental impacts of the lease. Any documents created 
during the environmental compliance process will be made available, as 
appropriate, from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Phoenix Area Office at 
the address listed under ADDRESSES.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cathy Wilson, telephone (602) 379-
6789.

    Dated: June 15, 1998.
Kevin Gover,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-16561 Filed 6-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P