[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78105-78106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30324]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAD06800.L17110000.FM0000]


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed Land Exchange Between the Bureau of Land Management 
and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Palm Springs-
South Coast Field Office, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Proposed Land Exchange between the BLM and the 
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Tribe) and by this notice is 
announcing the opening of the comment period.

DATES: To ensure comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft EIS for the Proposed Land Exchange 
between the BLM and the Tribe within 90 days following the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 
and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance 
through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Draft EIS for the 
Proposed Land Exchange between the BLM and the Tribe by any of the 
following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 760-833-7199.
     Mail: National Monument Manager, BLM Palm Springs-South 
Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262.

    Copies of the Draft EIS for the Proposed Land Exchange between the 
BLM and the Tribe are available in the Palm Springs-South Coast Field 
Office at the above address, or on the Internet at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Foote, National Monument Manager, 
telephone 760-833-7136; address BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field 
Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262; email 
[email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business 
hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a 
message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply 
during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM proposes to exchange certain Federal 
lands for properties owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla 
Indians. The selected Federal lands and offered tribal lands occur 
within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The 
exchange would transfer all or portions of the following described 
Federal lands to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians:

San Bernardino and Base Meridian, California

T.4S. R.4E.
    Section 16, all;
    Section 17, W1/2NW1/4NE1/4, W1/2E1/2NW1/4NE1/4;
    Section 18, W1/2NE1/4, N1/2NE1/4SW1/4, S1/2 of lot 1, N1/2 of 
lot 2;
    Section 36, lots 1-4, W1/2NE1/4, W1/2SE1/4, E1/2SW1/4, SE1/4NW1/
4, N1/2SW1/4SW1/4, E1/2NW1/4SW1/4, SW1/4NW1/4SW1/4, S1/2NW1/4NW1/
4SW1/4.
T.5S. R.4E.
    Section 5, lots 1-4, S1/2NE1/4, S1/2NW1/4, S1/2;
    Sections 16, 21, 27, 29, 32, and 36, all.

    The described Federal lands were withdrawn from all forms of 
appropriation under the public land laws and mining laws under Public 
Law 106-351 dated October 24, 2000. However, Section 5(i) of Public law 
106-351 specifically allows the exchange of Federal lands within the 
monument in certain circumstances.
    The United States would acquire all or portions of the following 
described land from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians:

San Bernardino and Base Meridian, California

T.5S. R. 5E.
    Section 7, all;
    Section 19, all;
    Section 20, W1/2W1/2.

    The Draft EIS describes and analyzes alternatives based on varying 
amounts of Federal lands to be exchanged for tribal lands, as well as 
the no action alternative. The BLM's preferred alternative eliminates 
certain Federal lands from consideration that, if exchanged, would be 
contrary to the purpose of the exchange, which is to promote effective 
and efficient management of the Federal and tribal lands by reducing 
the extent of ``checkerboard'' landownership, thereby providing the BLM 
and the Tribe with more logical and consistent land management 
responsibility in the Monument.
    Important issues identified by the public during scoping address 
purpose and need for the proposed land exchange; conformance with 
statutes, regulations, policies, and land use plans; development of 
alternatives and mitigation measures; public access to trails; 
protection of threatened and endangered species; and potential 
development of exchanged lands. Responses to specific questions related 
to these issues are provided in the Draft EIS. Lands acquired by the 
BLM through the land exchange would be managed in accordance with 
applicable statutes and regulations, as well as the California Desert 
Conservation Area Plan, as amended, and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto 
Mountains National Monument Management Plan. Lands acquired by the 
Tribe would be managed in accordance with its Land Use Ordinance, 
Indian Canyons Master Plan, and Tribal Habitat Conservation Plan.
    Public participation has been sought through a comment period 
provided for an Environmental Assessment that preceded preparation of 
the Draft EIS, and during the scoping process to identify issues to be 
addressed in the Draft EIS for the proposed land exchange. Please note 
that public comments and information submitted including names, street 
addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments will be 
available for public review and disclosure at the above address during 
regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, 
except holidays.

[[Page 78106]]

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

John R. Kalish,
Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-30324 Filed 12-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P