[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 47262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16055]



[[Page 47262]]

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NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Big Sandy Casino and Resort Project, Fresno County, CA

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the National Indian 
Gaming Commission (NIGC), in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs (BIA) and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians of California 
(the ``Big Sandy Rancheria''), intends to gather information necessary 
for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed 
casino project to be located in Fresno County, California. The purpose 
of the proposed action is to help address the socio-economic needs of 
the Big Sandy Rancheria. Details of the proposed action and location 
are provided below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. Notice is 
hereby given that the public scoping process has been initiated to 
prepare an EIS that will address the impacts of and alternatives to the 
proposal. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit public 
comment regarding the full spectrum of issues and concerns, including a 
suitable range of alternatives, and the nature and extent of potential 
environmental impacts and appropriate mitigation measures that should 
be addressed in the EIS process. This notice also announces that 
separate scoping meetings for the public and government agencies will 
be held for the proposed action.

DATES: The agency scoping meeting will be held on September 15, 2005, 
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The public scoping meeting will also be held on 
September 15, 2005, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., or until the last 
public comment is received. Written comments on the scope of the EIS 
should arrive by September 23, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS should be addressed 
to: NEPA Compliance Officer, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L 
Street, NW., Suite 9100, Washington DC 20005. Please include your name, 
return address, and the caption: ``EIS Scoping Comments, Big Sandy 
Rancheria Casino and Resort Project'', on the first page of your 
written comments.
    The agency scoping meeting will be hosted by the NIGC, the BIA, and 
the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians. The meeting location is the 
Big Sandy Rancheria, Multi Purpose building at 37387 Auberry Mission 
Road, Auberry CA, 93602.
    The public scoping meeting will be hosted by the NIGC, the BIA, and 
the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians. The meeting location is the 
Foothill Middle School, 29147 Auberry Rd, Prather, CA 93651, Multi-
Purpose Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on NEPA review 
procedures or status of the NEPA review, contact the NIGC NEPA 
Compliance Officer, 202-632-7003.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NIGC's proposed federal action is the 
approval of a gaming management contract between the Big Sandy 
Rancheria and QBS, LLC. The approval of the gaming management contract 
would result in the development of a casino, resort hotel and 
supporting facilities. The facility will be managed by QBS, LLC on 
behalf of the Big Sandy Rancheria, pursuant to the terms of a gaming 
management contract. The BIA's proposed federal action is approval of a 
lease between the allottee and the tribe.
    The proposed project will be located in Fresno County, east of 
Friant, California, on undeveloped foothill property comprising 
approximately 48 acres of allotted Indian land currently held by the 
United States in trust for the beneficial interest of a member of the 
Big Sandy Band of Western Mono Indians (the ``Tribe''). The Tribe and 
the individual Indian allottee have executed and submitted for BIA 
approval a lease agreement granting possession of the property to the 
Tribe for gaming purposes. Adjacent parcels may be used from some 
infrastructure needs. The project will feature a 221-room multi-level 
resort hotel with associated spa and pool. The project will also 
include a conference facility, including meeting rooms and a business 
center. The Casino will consist of 2,000 slots and 40 table games. A 
multi-level parking structure with approximately 2,500 stalls will be 
located adjacent to the Casino. In addition, the project will include 
retail shops, hotel administration offices, food and beverage 
facilities, and other casino related operations. The project also 
includes a 2,500 person outdoor amphitheater, to be utilized for 
concerts and other performances. The total building footprint is 
estimated at 1.3 million square feet. A reasonable range of 
alternatives, including a no action alternative, will be analyzed in 
the EIS.
    The Big Sandy Rancheria is a federally recognized Indian tribe 
governed by a tribal council consisting of 5 members, under a federally 
approved constitution. The Big Sandy Rancheria currently has a 
federally approved tribal-state gaming compact with the State of 
California. The NIGC will serve as lead agency for compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The BIA, which will be 
responsible for approving the lease, will be a Cooperating Agency.
    Public Comment and Solicitation: Written comments pertaining to the 
proposed action will be accepted throughout the EIS process. However, 
to ensure proper consideration in preparation of the EIS, scoping 
comments should be received by September 23, 2005. The draft EIS (DEIS) 
is planned for publication and distribution in the fall of 2006.
    Individual commenters may request confidentiality. If you wish us 
to withhold your name and/or address from public review or from 
disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this 
prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests 
will be honored to the extent allowed by law. Anonymous comments will 
not, however, be considered. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

    Authority: This notice is published in accordance with section 
1501.7 of the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 
parts 1500 through 1508) implementing the procedural requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (45 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.).

    Dated: August 8, 2005.
Philip N. Hogen,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 05-16055 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7565-01-U