Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Ancillary Facilities in the City of Taunton, Massachusetts and Tribal Government Facilities in the Town of Mashpee, Massachusetts by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, 68859-68860 [2013-27374]
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emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2013 / Notices
President Richard M. Nixon on August
29, 1972. The Refuge boundaries, which
are located entirely within Naval
Weapons Station Seal Beach, were
determined by the Secretary of the
Interior with the advice and consent of
the Secretary of the Navy. In accordance
with the authorizing legislation, the
Refuge is to be managed pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as
amended, and pursuant to plans that are
mutually acceptable to the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of the
Navy. The 956-acre Refuge was
officially established on July 11, 1974,
following approval of a general
management plan for the Refuge by the
Service and the Navy. Refuge purposes
include preservation and management
of habitat for endangered species (i.e.,
light-footed clapper rail, California least
tern) and preservation of habitat to
support migratory waterfowl,
shorebirds, and other water birds.
We announce our decision and the
availability of the FONSI for the final
CCP for the Seal Beach NWR in
accordance with National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We
completed a thorough analysis of
impacts on the human environment,
which we included in the
environmental assessment (EA) that
accompanied the draft CCP.
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
environmental education and
interpretation. We intend to review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Our draft CCP and EA were available
for a 45-day public review and comment
period, which we announced via several
methods, including press releases,
updates to constituents, and a Federal
Register notice (76 FR 16634; March 24,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:58 Nov 14, 2013
Jkt 232001
2011). The draft CCP/EA identified and
evaluated three alternatives for
managing the Refuge for the next 15
years.
Under Alternative A (No Action),
management would continue
unchanged. Under Alternative B, the
Service would expand current
management to include evaluation of
current Refuge baseline data for fish,
wildlife, and plants; identification of
data gaps; implementation of species
surveys to address data gaps; restoration
of intertidal and native upland habitat;
implementation of an integrated
approach to pest management; and
support for new research projects that
would benefit Refuge resources and
Refuge management. Alternative C,
which was identified as the preferred
alternative, would implement the
majority of the management activities
proposed in Alternative B and expand
opportunities for wildlife observation
on the Refuge. The primary differences
in habitat management between
Alternatives B and C relate to the extent
of intertidal restoration proposed in
Alternative B versus the extent of
upland and wetland/upland transitional
habitat restoration proposed in
Alternative C.
We received five letters on the draft
CCP and EA during the review and
comment period. Comments focused on
constituents of concern related to past
activities on Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach, mosquito management, and
habitat management and restoration. We
incorporated comments we received
into the CCP when appropriate, and we
responded to the comments in an
appendix to the CCP. In the FONSI, we
selected Alternative C for
implementation. The FONSI documents
our decision and is based on
information and analysis contained in
the EA.
Under the selected alternative, the
Service will expand both natural
resource management and opportunities
of wildlife observation on the Refuge.
Wildlife and habitat management
actions will be implemented to support
listed species, coastal habitats, and
migratory birds; native upland and
wetland/upland transitional habitat will
be restored to provide refugia for rails
and shorebirds during high tide; and
existing visitor serving facilities will be
improved.
The selected alternative most
effectively achieves Refuge’s purposes,
goals, and objectives, particularly those
related to the recovery and protection of
federally listed species and the
enhancement of public appreciation,
understanding, and enjoyment of Refuge
resources; contributes to the Refuge
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68859
System mission; and is consistent with
principles of sound fish and wildlife
management. Based on the associated
environmental assessment, this
alternative is not expected to result in
significant environmental impacts and
therefore does not require the
preparation of an environmental impact
statement.
Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region.
[FR Doc. 2013–27405 Filed 11–14–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[AAK6006201 134A2100DD
AOR3B3030.999900]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer
of Property and Subsequent
Development of a Resort/Hotel and
Ancillary Facilities in the City of
Taunton, Massachusetts and Tribal
Government Facilities in the Town of
Mashpee, Massachusetts by the
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
This notice advises the public
that the Bureau of Indian Affairs as lead
agency, with the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe, serving as a cooperating agency,
intends to file a draft environmental
impact statement (DEIS) with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
regarding the Tribe’s application for the
conveyance into trust of title to lands
located in Mashpee and Taunton,
Massachusetts, for the benefit of the
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. This notice
also announces that the DEIS is now
available for public review and that
public hearings will be held to receive
comments on the DEIS.
DATES: The date of the public hearing
will be announced at least 15 days in
advance through notices in the
following newspapers: Taunton Daily
Gazette and the Cape Cod Times, and on
the following Web site:
www.mwteis.com. Written comments on
the DEIS must arrive within 45 days
after the Environmental Protection
Agency publishes its Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: You may mail or handdeliver written comments to Mr.
Franklin Keel, Eastern Regional
Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Eastern Region, 545 Marriott Drive,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM
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emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
68860
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2013 / Notices
Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.
Public hearings will be held at the
Taunton High School, 50 William
Street, Taunton, Massachusetts, and
Mashpee High School, 500 Old
Barnstable Road, Mashpee,
Massachusetts. See the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice for
addresses where the DEIS is available
for review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Chet L. McGhee, Regional
Environmental Scientist, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office,
545 Marriott Drive, Suite 700, Nashville,
Tennessee 37214; fax (615) 564–6571;
telephone (615) 564–6500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public
review of the DEIS is part of the
administrative process for the
evaluation of the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe’s application under section 5 of
Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) (25
U.S.C. 461, et. seq). Under Council on
Environmental Quality National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
regulations (40 CFR 1506.10), the
publication of the Notice of Availability
by Environmental Protection Agency in
the Federal Register initiates the 45-day
public comment period.
The Tribe’s proposed development
contemplated for the trust lands consists
of the following components:
(1) Acquisition in trust of
approximately 151 acres in Taunton,
Massachusetts, and approximately 170
acres in Mashpee in accordance with
section 5 of the IRA and the procedures
set forth in 25 CFR part 151;
(2) The Secretary of the Interior’s
issuance of a reservation proclamation
under section 7 of the IRA under which
the site would be the ‘‘initial
reservation’’ of the Tribe eligible for
gaming under section 20(b)(1)(B) of the
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; and
(3) Development of a resort/hotel and
gaming facility within the project site in
Taunton, Massachusetts, and
development of Tribal Government
facilities within the site area located in
Mashpee, Massachusetts.
At full build-out, the Tribe’s proposed
resort/hotel and gaming facility would
have approximately132,000 square feet
of gaming floor. Access to the Taunton
site would be via O’Connell Way, off of
Stevens Street, near the intersection of
Stevens Street and Route 140 in
Taunton, Massachusetts.
The following alternatives are
considered in the DEIS:
(A) The development as proposed by
the Tribe;
(B) Reduced Intensity I Alternative;
(C) Reduced Intensity II Alternative;
and
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16:58 Nov 14, 2013
Jkt 232001
(D) No Action Alternative.
Environmental issues addressed in
the DEIS include: Transportation;
wetlands and other waters of the U.S.;
storm water; geology and soils; rare
species and wildlife habitat; hazardous
materials; water supply; wastewater;
utilities; solid waste; air quality;
greenhouse gas; cultural resources;
noise, visual impacts; socio-economics;
environmental justice; cumulative
effects and indirect and growthinducing effects.
The BIA held public scoping meetings
for the project on June 20, 2012, at
Taunton High School in Taunton,
Massachusetts, and on June 21, 2012, at
Mashpee High School in Mashpee,
Massachusetts.
Directions for Submitting Comments:
Please include your name, return
address, and the caption: ‘‘DEIS
comments for proposed fee-to-trust
transfer of lands by the Mashpee
Wampanoag Tribe’’ on the first page of
your written comments.
Locations Where the DEIS Is Available
for Review: The DEIS will be available
for review at the Taunton Public
Library, 12 Pleasant St Taunton,
Massachusetts 02780; the Mashpee
Public Library, 64 Steeple Street,
Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649; and the
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Headquarters at 483 Great Neck Rd.
South, Mashpee, Massachusetts, 02649.
The DEIS is also available online at:
https://www.mwteis.com.
To obtain a compact disk copy of the
DEIS, please provide your name and
address in writing or by voicemail to
Mr. Chet L. McGhee, Regional
Environmental Scientist, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office.
Contact information is listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this notice. Individual paper copies of
the DEIS will be provided only upon
payment of applicable printing expenses
by the requestor for the number of
copies requested.
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 regular business hours, 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays. Before
including your address, telephone
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 may ask in your comment
that your personal identifying
information be withheld from public
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
review, the BIA cannot guarantee that
this will occur.
Authority: This notice is published in
accordance with § 1503.1 of the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR
1500 et seq.) and the Department of the
Interior Regulations (43 CFR part 46)
implementing the procedural requirements of
the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in
accordance with the exercise of authority
delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian
Affairs by part 209 of the Department
Manual.
Kevin K. Washburn,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013–27374 Filed 11–14–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCAD09000,
L51010000.LVRWB09B2380.FX0000]
Notice of Availability of a Final
Environmental Impact Statement and
Environmental Impact Report for the
Proposed Stateline Solar Farm and
Proposed California Desert
Conservation Area Plan Amendment
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976
(FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) has prepared
a Proposed California Desert
Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan
Amendment and a Final Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for
the Stateline Solar Farm Project (SSFP)
and by this notice is announcing its
availability.
DATES: BLM planning regulations state
that any person who meets the
conditions as described in the
regulations may protest the BLM’s
Proposed CDCA Amendment. A person
who meets the conditions and files a
protest must file the protest within 30
days of the date that the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes its Notice
of Availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the SSFP Final
EIS and Proposed CDCA Plan
Amendment have been sent to affected
Federal, State, and local government
agencies and to other stakeholders.
Copies of the SSFP Final EIS and
Proposed CDCA Plan Amendment are
available for public inspection at the
BLM Needles Field Office and
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM
15NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68859-68860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27374]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[AAK6006201 134A2100DD AOR3B3030.999900]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-
Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel
and Ancillary Facilities in the City of Taunton, Massachusetts and
Tribal Government Facilities in the Town of Mashpee, Massachusetts by
the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian
Affairs as lead agency, with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, serving as a
cooperating agency, intends to file a draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
regarding the Tribe's application for the conveyance into trust of
title to lands located in Mashpee and Taunton, Massachusetts, for the
benefit of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. This notice also announces that
the DEIS is now available for public review and that public hearings
will be held to receive comments on the DEIS.
DATES: The date of the public hearing will be announced at least 15
days in advance through notices in the following newspapers: Taunton
Daily Gazette and the Cape Cod Times, and on the following Web site:
www.mwteis.com. Written comments on the DEIS must arrive within 45 days
after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-deliver written comments to Mr.
Franklin Keel, Eastern Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Eastern Region, 545 Marriott Drive,
[[Page 68860]]
Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37214. Public hearings will be held at
the Taunton High School, 50 William Street, Taunton, Massachusetts, and
Mashpee High School, 500 Old Barnstable Road, Mashpee, Massachusetts.
See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for addresses
where the DEIS is available for review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chet L. McGhee, Regional
Environmental Scientist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional
Office, 545 Marriott Drive, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37214; fax
(615) 564-6571; telephone (615) 564-6500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public review of the DEIS is part of the
administrative process for the evaluation of the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe's application under section 5 of Indian Reorganization Act (IRA)
(25 U.S.C. 461, et. seq). Under Council on Environmental Quality
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1506.10),
the publication of the Notice of Availability by Environmental
Protection Agency in the Federal Register initiates the 45-day public
comment period.
The Tribe's proposed development contemplated for the trust lands
consists of the following components:
(1) Acquisition in trust of approximately 151 acres in Taunton,
Massachusetts, and approximately 170 acres in Mashpee in accordance
with section 5 of the IRA and the procedures set forth in 25 CFR part
151;
(2) The Secretary of the Interior's issuance of a reservation
proclamation under section 7 of the IRA under which the site would be
the ``initial reservation'' of the Tribe eligible for gaming under
section 20(b)(1)(B) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; and
(3) Development of a resort/hotel and gaming facility within the
project site in Taunton, Massachusetts, and development of Tribal
Government facilities within the site area located in Mashpee,
Massachusetts.
At full build-out, the Tribe's proposed resort/hotel and gaming
facility would have approximately132,000 square feet of gaming floor.
Access to the Taunton site would be via O'Connell Way, off of Stevens
Street, near the intersection of Stevens Street and Route 140 in
Taunton, Massachusetts.
The following alternatives are considered in the DEIS:
(A) The development as proposed by the Tribe;
(B) Reduced Intensity I Alternative;
(C) Reduced Intensity II Alternative; and
(D) No Action Alternative.
Environmental issues addressed in the DEIS include: Transportation;
wetlands and other waters of the U.S.; storm water; geology and soils;
rare species and wildlife habitat; hazardous materials; water supply;
wastewater; utilities; solid waste; air quality; greenhouse gas;
cultural resources; noise, visual impacts; socio-economics;
environmental justice; cumulative effects and indirect and growth-
inducing effects.
The BIA held public scoping meetings for the project on June 20,
2012, at Taunton High School in Taunton, Massachusetts, and on June 21,
2012, at Mashpee High School in Mashpee, Massachusetts.
Directions for Submitting Comments: Please include your name,
return address, and the caption: ``DEIS comments for proposed fee-to-
trust transfer of lands by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe'' on the first
page of your written comments.
Locations Where the DEIS Is Available for Review: The DEIS will be
available for review at the Taunton Public Library, 12 Pleasant St
Taunton, Massachusetts 02780; the Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple
Street, Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649; and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Headquarters at 483 Great Neck Rd. South, Mashpee, Massachusetts,
02649. The DEIS is also available online at: https://www.mwteis.com.
To obtain a compact disk copy of the DEIS, please provide your name
and address in writing or by voicemail to Mr. Chet L. McGhee, Regional
Environmental Scientist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional
Office. Contact information is listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this notice. Individual paper copies of the DEIS
will be provided only upon payment of applicable printing expenses by
the requestor for the number of copies requested.
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 regular business
hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Before including your address, telephone 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 may
ask in your comment that your personal identifying information be
withheld from public review, the BIA cannot guarantee that this will
occur.
Authority: This notice is published in accordance with Sec.
1503.1 of the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR
1500 et seq.) and the Department of the Interior Regulations (43 CFR
part 46) implementing the procedural requirements of the NEPA (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in accordance with the exercise of
authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by
part 209 of the Department Manual.
Kevin K. Washburn,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-27374 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P
