Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Lease to Construct and Operate a Biosolids Composting Facility on the Kintano Allotment of the Torres Martinez Indian Reservation, Riverside County, CA

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian

Affairs intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for

a proposed lease to construct and operate a biosolids composting

facility on allotted land owned by Joseph Kintano of the Torres

Martinez Indian Reservation in Riverside County, California. A

description of the proposed project, location, and environmental

considerations to be addressed in the EIS are provided below (see

supplemental information). In addition to this notice, a public meeting

regarding the proposal and preparation of the EIS will be held.

This notice is published in accordance with the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found in 40 CFR 1501.7. The

purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and information from

other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in

the EIS. Comments and participation in this scoping process are

encouraged.

DATES: Comments should be received by September 15, 1994. A public

scoping meeting will be held on September 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Ronald Jaeger, Area

Director, Sacramento Area Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA

95825. A public scoping meeting will be held on September 1, 1994, at

7:00 p.m. at the Oasis Elementary School--Multi-Purpose Room located at

88-775, Avenue 76, Oasis, CA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald B. Knapp, Environmental

Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sacramento Area

Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, telephone (916) 978-

4703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: East Valley Farms, Inc. has proposed to

lease a 40-acre allotment from Joseph Kintano of the Torres Martinez

Band of Cahuilla Indians for the purpose of constructing and operating

a biosolids (digested sewage sludge) composting facility. The facility

would be operated by Pima Gro Systems, Inc., a sister company of East

Valley Farms. The facility would receive daily shipments of treated

Class B sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants at other

locations in southern California. Approximately 15,000 tons per month

of sludge would be delivered to the facility by truck. Pima Gro

proposes to use an aerated windrow compost process to produce 8,000

tons per month of fully treated and composted material. The compost

product would be sold to agricultural users and nurseries for use as a

soil amendment.

The project site is located in the Coachella Valley in south-

central Riverside County approximately 35 miles southeast of the city

of Palm Springs. The project vicinity is generally rural with

agriculture and aquaculture being the predominant land uses.

The EIS will address numerous environmental issues, including:

geology and soils, water quality, air quality, (including odor and

dust), health and safety, biological resources, cultural resources,

traffic, land use, and noise, as well as any additional issues raised

during the scoping process.

Dated: August 5, 1994.

Ada E. Deer,

Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 94-19801 Filed 8-11-94; 8:45 am]

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