[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 41928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19882]



[[Page 41928]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Environmental Impact Statement for the Spokane Tribe's 
2719(b)(1)(A) Application and for the Proposed West Plains Mixed-Use 
Development Project, Spokane County, WA

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs (BIA) as Lead Agency, in cooperation with the Spokane Tribe of 
Indians (Tribe), intends to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for a proposed mixed-use development and corresponding master 
plan for a 145-acre parcel of trust land adjacent to the City of Airway 
Heights, Spokane County, Washington. The project site may include, but 
is not limited to, a variety of proposed land uses such as a casino 
resort and hotel; commercial retail uses; offices; medical facilities; 
recreational, cultural, and entertainment facilities; and related 
parking. The purpose of the proposed action is to improve the economy 
of the Tribe and help their members attain economic self sufficiency. 
This notice also announces a public scoping meeting to identify 
potential issues and content for inclusion in the EIS.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of 
the proposed action should be received by October 10, 2009. The public 
scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, from 5 p.m. 
to 7:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: You may mail, hand carry, or telefax written comments to Dr. 
B.J. Howerton, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Northwest Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, 
Oregon 97232-4169; telefax number (503) 231-2275. Comments may also be 
submitted electronically at the project Web site, http://www.westplainseis.com. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
directions on submitting comments. The public scoping meeting will be 
held at the Sunset Elementary School Gymnasium, 12824 West 12th Avenue, 
Airway Heights, Washington 99001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. B.J. Howerton, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, (503) 231-6749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS will assess the environmental 
consequences of BIA approval of a proposed master plan for the 
development of a mixed-use development--which may include a casino 
resort and hotel; commercial retail uses; offices; medical facilities; 
recreational, cultural, and entertainment facilities; and related 
parking--on an approximately 145-acre parcel of trust land adjacent to 
the western city limits of Airway Heights, Spokane County, Washington. 
The project site is near the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 2 (US-2) 
and Craig Road, and approximately 10 miles west of Spokane, Washington. 
It is located in the southwest quarter of 22-25-41, excluding US-2, and 
the north half of the southeast quarter, excluding the east 830 feet of 
the south 491.5 feet of 22-25-41, excluding roads.
    The ``Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Spokane Tribe of 
Indians and the City of Airway Heights'' and the ``Memorandum of 
Agreement Between the City of Airway Heights and the Spokane Tribe of 
Indians Regarding Services and Impacts of Tribal Gaming on Indian Lands 
Located Adjacent to the City of Airway Heights (April 10, 2007)'' 
provide details concerning shared responsibilities related to law 
enforcement and security services, public health and safety, road 
maintenance and repair, and other matters between the Tribe and the 
City.
    The project site would also include internal access roads, parking 
areas, and associated landscaping. Conceptual traffic analyses suggest 
possible roadway and intersection improvements along Craig Road and US-
2 adjacent to the proposed project site.
    Significant issues to be covered during the scoping process may 
include, but are not limited to, air quality, transportation, surface 
and groundwater resources, biological resources, cultural resources, 
socioeconomic conditions, public services, infrastructure, land use, 
aesthetics, and environmental justice.

Directions for Submitting Public Comments

    If you choose to submit your comments to the BIA directly, your 
comments must be in writing and must be submitted in person or by mail. 
Please include your name, return address, and the caption, ``DEIS 
Scoping Comments, Spokane Tribe of Indians West Plains Mixed-Use 
Development Project,'' on the first page of your comments.

Public Comment Availability

    Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be 
available for public review at the BIA address shown above, during 
regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except holidays. Before including your address, telephone number, e-
mail address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your 
personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any 
time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.

Authority

    This notice is published in accordance with section 1503.1 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 (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), 
and related Department of the Interior requirements in the Department 
of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2), and is in the exercise of authority 
delegated to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.1.

    Dated: August 13, 2009.
Larry Echo Hawk,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-19882 Filed 8-18-09; 8:45 am]
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