Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians' Proposed 79 Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino Project in Emmett Township, Calhoun County, MI, 37093-37094 [06-5817]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices
other acres, in order to reduce the costs
of purchasing feed from other sources.
This project is needed for the MHA
Nation to pursue an economic
development opportunity to benefit its
members, in keeping with its tribal
sovereignty.
Feedstock for the proposed refinery
would include 10,000 barrels per stream
day (BPSD) of synthetic crude oil via
existing pipeline from Alberta, Canada;
3,000 BPSD of field butane from local
suppliers; 6 million standard cubic feet
per day of natural gas via existing
pipeline; and 300 barrels of bio-diesel or
8,500 bushels per day of soybeans. From
the feedstock, the refinery would
produce about 5,750 BPSD of diesel
fuel, 6,770 BPSD of gasoline, and 300
BPSD of propane. With the planned
maintenance program, the refinery
would have an economic life well past
20 years. At the end of its economic life,
MHA Nation would decommission and
reclaim the facility.
The proposed refinery would include
atmospheric distillation, hydrotreating,
and hydrocracking processing units for
the synthetic crude, a hydrogen plant
utilizing natural gas, and butane
processing units. Other areas of the
proposed refinery include rail and truck
loading and unloading facilities, a tank
farm, blending facilities, office and
maintenance buildings and a fire
suppression system. Potentially
contaminated (oily) storm water will be
managed separately from
uncontaminated (non-oily) storm water.
The applicant proposes to discharge
effluent from four discharge points
(outfalls) into a wetland located in the
NW 1⁄4 of Section 19, Township 152N,
Range 87W. The wetland is a tributary
of the East Fork of Shell Creek, which
is a tributary to the Missouri River. The
responsible official for the proposed
permit application is, Tex G. Hall,
Chairman, Three Affiliated Tribes
Business Council, 404 Frontage Road,
New Town, North Dakota 58763.
The DEIS describes, in detail, and
analyzes the impacts of five alternatives
for the BIA’s action. These alternatives
are as follows:
(1) Accept lands into trust in support
of the MHA Nation’s proposal to
construct and operate a clean fuels
refinery and produce buffalo forage;
(2) Accept lands into trust without
construction or operation of a clean
fuels refinery;
(3) Decline acceptance of lands into
trust, but construction or operation of a
clean fuels refinery may proceed;
(4) Accept lands into trust in support
of the MHA Nation’s proposal to
construct and operate a clean fuels
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17:03 Jun 28, 2006
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refinery with modification to the
original design; and
(5) No action.
The DEIS also describes five effluent
discharge alternatives for EPA’s action.
These alternatives are as follows:
(1) Issuance of an NPDES permit for
effluent discharge of treated wastewater;
(2) No issuance of an NPDES permit,
but disposal of treated wastewater
through irrigation and effluent storage
during the winter and wet weather;
(3) Issuance of an NPDES permit for
partial effluent discharge from the
facility and some storage and irrigation;
(4) No issuance of an NPDES permit,
but effluent discharge to an
Underground Injection Control Class I
well; and
(5) No action.
Any person may submit comments on
the DEIS and/or Draft NPDES permit in
writing to the address provided in the
ADDRESSES section, or either orally and/
or in writing at one or more of the
public hearings. A Presiding Officer will
be present at each of the hearings and
a written transcript of the hearings will
be made a part of the administrative
record for the agency decisions. The
hearings will be recorded so that if
anyone testifies in their native language,
it can be interpreted and transcribed for
inclusion in the administrative record.
Please make comments as specific as
possible, with reference to chapters,
page numbers and paragraphs in the
DEIS document and Draft NPDES
permit. While all comments will be
considered, the most useful comments
will contain new technical or scientific
information, identify data gaps in the
impact analysis, or provide technical or
scientific rationale for opinions or
preferences.
Public Comment Availability
Comments, including names and
addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the BIA
and EPA Regional Office addresses
shown in the ADDRESSES section, during
business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except
holidays. Individual respondents 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 the law. We will not,
however, consider anonymous
comments. All submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
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37093
made available for public inspection in
their entirety.
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. 4321 et seq.), and
the Department of the Interior Manual
(516 DM 1–6), and is in the exercise of
authority delegated to the Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian
Affairs by 209 DM 8.
Dated: April 7, 2006.
Michael D. Olsen,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—
Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06–5818 Filed 6–28–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of
Potawatomi Indians’ Proposed 79 Acre
Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino
Project in Emmett Township, Calhoun
County, MI
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public
that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
intends to file a Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency for
the proposed 79 acre fee-to-trust land
transfer and casino project in Emmett
Township, Calhoun County, Michigan,
and that the FEIS is now available to the
public. The purpose of the proposed
action is to help provide for the
economic development of the
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of
Potawatomi Indians (Tribe).
DATES: The Record of Decision on the
proposed action will be issued on or
after July 31, 2006. Any comments on
the FEIS must arrive by July 31, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand carry
written comments to Terrance L.
Virden, Director, Midwest Region,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bishop Henry
Whipple Federal Building, One Federal
Drive, Room 550, Ft. Snelling,
Minnesota 55111. Please include your
name, return address and the caption,
‘‘FEIS Comments, Nottawaseppi Huron
Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Proposed
79 Acre Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project,
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jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
37094
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices
Emmett Township, Calhoun County,
Michigan,’’ on the first page of your
written comments.
Copies of the FEIS will be available
for review at: (1) Willard Library, 7 West
Van Buren, Battle Creek, Michigan
49017, Telephone (269) 968–8166; (2)
Helen Warner Branch Library, 36
Minges Creek Place, Battle Creek,
Michigan 49015, Telephone (269) 968–
8166, extension 600; and (3) Marshall
District Library, 124 West Green Street,
Marshall, Michigan 49068, Telephone
(269) 781–7821.
If you would like to obtain a copy of
the FEIS, please write or call Herb
Nelson, Regional Environmental
Scientist, Midwest Region, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple
Federal Building, One Federal Drive,
Room 550, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota
55111, telephone (612) 725–4510, fax
(612) 713–4401. The FEIS is also
available on line at https://
www.HuronFEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Herb Nelson, (612) 725–4510.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tribe
has asked the BIA to take 79 acres of
land into trust on behalf of the Tribe, on
which the Tribe proposes to build a
casino. The property is located along the
south side of Interstate 94 (I–94) in
Emmett Township, Calhoun County,
Michigan, at the Eleven Mile Road exit.
The gaming facility would be managed
by Gaming Enterprises Michigan (GEM)
on behalf of the Tribe, pursuant to the
terms of the gaming management
agreement between the Tribe and GEM.
The NIGC is responsible for the review
and approval of the gaming management
contract.
The project design includes an
approximately 136,000 square foot
casino, designed to accommodate 2000
slot machines and 50 gaming tables. The
site is also proposed to include parking
for approximately 3600 cars for patrons
and gaming facility employees, plus 20
visitor spaces for busses and other oversized vehicles. The parking area would
cover approximately 32 acres.
Alternatives to the proposed project
that are considered and evaluated in
detail in the FEIS are as follows: (1)
Trust acquisition and casino
construction and operation (the
proposed action); (2) trust acquisition
and construction and operation of a
casino smaller than the casino described
in the proposed action; (3) trust
acquisition and construction and
operation of a casino with reduced
hours of operation; (4) trust acquisition
and construction and operation of a
casino at an alternate location from that
in the proposed action; and (5) no
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:03 Jun 28, 2006
Jkt 208001
action. Alternatives considered and
properly eliminated from detailed study
in the FEIS include non-casino
alternatives and the construction and
operation of a larger casino than that
described in the proposed action.
Environmental issues addressed in
the FEIS include land and water
resources, air quality, biological
resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomic conditions, resource use
patterns, traffic and transportation
networks, sound and noise, hazardous
materials, public health and safety,
public services, environmental justice,
aesthetic resources and lighting, indirect
and induced growth impacts,
cumulative impacts and mitigation.
The BIA held a public scoping
meeting July 28, 2004, in Battle Creek,
Michigan, to identify issues and
alternatives to be considered in the EIS.
The BIA held a public hearing on the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
August 24, 2005, in Battle Creek,
Michigan.
Public Comment Availability
Comments, including names and
addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the BIA
address shown in the ADDRESSES
section, during business hours, 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays. Individual respondents
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 the
law. We will not, however, consider
anonymous comments. 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 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. 4321 et seq.), and
the Department of the Interior Manual
(516 DM 1–6), and is in the exercise of
authority delegated to the Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian
Affairs by 209 DM 8.
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: March 6, 2006.
Michael D. Olsen,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—
Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06–5817 Filed 6–28–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Central Valley Project Improvement
Act, Water Management Plans
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The following Water
Management Plans are available for
review:
• City of Vacaville.
• Santa Ynez River Conservation
District.
• Sacramento County Water Agency.
• Grasslands Water District Refuge.
• El Dorado Irrigation District.
• City of Redding.
To meet the requirements of the
Central Valley Project Improvement Act
of 1992 (CVPIA) and the Reclamation
Reform Act of 1982, the Bureau of
Reclamation has developed and
published the Criteria for Evaluating
Water Management Plans (Criteria).
Note: For the purpose of this
announcement, Water Management
Plans (Plans) are considered the same as
Water Conservation Plans. The above
districts have developed Plans, which
Reclamation has evaluated and
preliminarily determined to meet the
requirements of these Criteria.
Reclamation is publishing this notice in
order to allow the public to review the
Plans and comment on the preliminary
determinations. Public comment on
Reclamation’s preliminary (i.e., draft)
determination is invited at this time.
DATES: All public comments must be
received by July 31, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Please mail comments to
Bryce White, Bureau of Reclamation,
2800 Cottage Way MP–410, Sacramento,
California 95825, or contact at 916–978–
5208 (TDD 978–5608), or e-mail
bwhite@mp.usbr.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
be placed on a mailing list for any
subsequent information, please contact
Mr. White at the e-mail address or
telephone number above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are
inviting the public to comment on our
preliminary (i.e., draft) determination of
Plan adequacy. Section 3405(e) of the
CVPIA (Title 34 Pub. L. 102–575)
requires the Secretary of the Interior to
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37093-37094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5817]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Nottawaseppi Huron
Band of Potawatomi Indians' Proposed 79 Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and
Casino Project in Emmett Township, Calhoun County, MI
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) intends to file a Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the proposed
79 acre fee-to-trust land transfer and casino project in Emmett
Township, Calhoun County, Michigan, and that the FEIS is now available
to the public. The purpose of the proposed action is to help provide
for the economic development of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of
Potawatomi Indians (Tribe).
DATES: The Record of Decision on the proposed action will be issued on
or after July 31, 2006. Any comments on the FEIS must arrive by July
31, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand carry written comments to Terrance L.
Virden, Director, Midwest Region, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bishop
Henry Whipple Federal Building, One Federal Drive, Room 550, Ft.
Snelling, Minnesota 55111. Please include your name, return address and
the caption, ``FEIS Comments, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
Indians' Proposed 79 Acre Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project,
[[Page 37094]]
Emmett Township, Calhoun County, Michigan,'' on the first page of your
written comments.
Copies of the FEIS will be available for review at: (1) Willard
Library, 7 West Van Buren, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017, Telephone
(269) 968-8166; (2) Helen Warner Branch Library, 36 Minges Creek Place,
Battle Creek, Michigan 49015, Telephone (269) 968-8166, extension 600;
and (3) Marshall District Library, 124 West Green Street, Marshall,
Michigan 49068, Telephone (269) 781-7821.
If you would like to obtain a copy of the FEIS, please write or
call Herb Nelson, Regional Environmental Scientist, Midwest Region,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, One
Federal Drive, Room 550, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111, telephone (612)
725-4510, fax (612) 713-4401. The FEIS is also available on line at
https://www.HuronFEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herb Nelson, (612) 725-4510.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tribe has asked the BIA to take 79 acres
of land into trust on behalf of the Tribe, on which the Tribe proposes
to build a casino. The property is located along the south side of
Interstate 94 (I-94) in Emmett Township, Calhoun County, Michigan, at
the Eleven Mile Road exit. The gaming facility would be managed by
Gaming Enterprises Michigan (GEM) on behalf of the Tribe, pursuant to
the terms of the gaming management agreement between the Tribe and GEM.
The NIGC is responsible for the review and approval of the gaming
management contract.
The project design includes an approximately 136,000 square foot
casino, designed to accommodate 2000 slot machines and 50 gaming
tables. The site is also proposed to include parking for approximately
3600 cars for patrons and gaming facility employees, plus 20 visitor
spaces for busses and other over-sized vehicles. The parking area would
cover approximately 32 acres.
Alternatives to the proposed project that are considered and
evaluated in detail in the FEIS are as follows: (1) Trust acquisition
and casino construction and operation (the proposed action); (2) trust
acquisition and construction and operation of a casino smaller than the
casino described in the proposed action; (3) trust acquisition and
construction and operation of a casino with reduced hours of operation;
(4) trust acquisition and construction and operation of a casino at an
alternate location from that in the proposed action; and (5) no action.
Alternatives considered and properly eliminated from detailed study in
the FEIS include non-casino alternatives and the construction and
operation of a larger casino than that described in the proposed
action.
Environmental issues addressed in the FEIS include land and water
resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomic conditions, resource use patterns, traffic and
transportation networks, sound and noise, hazardous materials, public
health and safety, public services, environmental justice, aesthetic
resources and lighting, indirect and induced growth impacts, cumulative
impacts and mitigation.
The BIA held a public scoping meeting July 28, 2004, in Battle
Creek, Michigan, to identify issues and alternatives to be considered
in the EIS. The BIA held a public hearing on the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement August 24, 2005, in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Public Comment Availability
Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the BIA address shown in the ADDRESSES
section, during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents 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 the
law. We will not, however, consider anonymous comments. 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 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. 4321 et seq.),
and the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 1-6), and is in the
exercise of authority delegated to the Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary--Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.
Dated: March 6, 2006.
Michael D. Olsen,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-5817 Filed 6-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P
