[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 165 (Thursday, August 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43715-43716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20701]


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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; republication and correction.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published a document in the 
Federal Register of August 19, 2009, advising the public that the 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 DATES section of that notice contained 
incorrect dates; therefore, this notice republishes the content of the 
notice of August 19, 2009 with corrected dates.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of 
the proposed action should be received by October 31, 2009. The public 
scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 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, telefax (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

[[Page 43716]]

at 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 BIA as Lead Agency, in cooperation with 
the Tribe, intends to prepare an 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.
    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 approximate 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. It is located in the southwest 
quarter of 22-25-41, excluding US-2, and the north half of the 
southeast quarter 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/or 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, phone 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 Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs 
by 209 DM 8.1.

    Dated: August 21, 2009.
George T. Skibine,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-20701 Filed 8-25-09; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P