Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the White River Amphitheatre, Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, King County, WA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for

the White River Amphitheatre, Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, King

County, WA

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping notice.

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

Affairs, with the cooperation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.

Environmental

[[Page 35940]]

Protection Agency, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and Washington Department

of Transportation, intends to gather the information necessary and

prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed taking

into federal trust of land for the construction of the Muckleshoot

Indian Tribe's White River Amphitheatre. A description of the proposed

project, location, and environmental considerations to be addressed in

the EIS are provided in the Supplementary Information section. This

notice also announces a public meeting to be held on the proposal and

the preparation of the EIS.

This notice is published in accordance with Section 1501.7 of the

Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508)

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 Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by

209 DM 8. 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.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 24, 1998. The public

scoping meeting will be held on July 15, 1998. We will consider all

comments sent during the comment period, or submitted at the public

scoping meeting.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Stanley Speaks, Area

Director, Portland Area Office, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

97232-4169. The public scoping meeting will be held at Green River

Community College, Lindbloom Student Center, 12401 S.E. 320th Street,

Auburn, Washington, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June Boynton, Area Environmental

Coordinator, 503-231-6749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe intends to

develop an amphitheatre on tribal property within the boundaries of the

Muckleshoot Indian Reservation adjacent to Highway 164, about seven

miles southeast of the City of Auburn in King County, Washington. The

White River Amphitheatre Project will consist of a 20,000-seat

amphitheatre plus parking for approximately 5900 cars, all on a 90-acre

site. The amphitheatre will include fixed and lawn seating, a main

stage, concessions, cafes, and various plantings surrounding the

seating. The amphitheatre will be used for about 30 to 40 concert

events per year (which will generate the greatest attendance) and

community and cultural events such as Native American pow wows, dance

performances, and children's events.

The Tribe has recently requested that the BIA acquire the land upon

which the amphitheatre is being built and hold that land in trust

status on behalf of the Tribe. As a consequence, BIA must decide either

to acquire the land or not acquire the land. With respect to possible

BIA action, only the action and no action alternatives have so far been

identified. Additionally, a federal district court ordered BIA to

prepare an EIS with respect to the amphitheatre in United States ex

rel. Citizens for Safety & Environment v. Bill Graham Enterprises,

Inc., No. C97-1775C (W.D.Wash.) (order issued April 17, 1998). It has

not been decided whether to appeal that decision.

The EIS will address the project's effects on the environment.

Issues identified include:

Traffic--concerns that traffic jams will result and that

safety and emergency services will be compromised.

Noise--concerns that the sounds from the concerts will

travel offsite and adversely affect surrounding residents, wildlife,

and livestock.

Crime--concern that crimes, including alcohol and drug

related ones, will increase in the vicinity of the amphitheatre.

Water quality--the primary concern is that runoff from the

site will not be adequately controlled or cleaned up to prevent impact

to the White River.

Wetlands--are wetland impacts minimized, accounted for, or

mitigated?

Wildlife--are there unacceptable impacts on fish and

wildlife and their habitats, including threatened or endangered

species?

Slope stability--will the project affect the stability of

the bluff above the White River and thereby affect other resources?

Sewage disposal--how will sewage from the site be handled?

Air quality--will traffic at the amphitheatre generate

enough carbon monoxide to violate regional standards?

Land use--how will the project affect the rural character

of the surrounding lands?

Socioeconomics--how will the project affect local

businesses and property values?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs recognizes that the Corps of Engineers

has issued a public notice for a proposed wetland fill permit for the

amphitheatre, has held a public hearing to receive comments, and has

accepted numerous written comments concerning the Amphitheatre project.

The issues and concerns received by the Corps of Engineers in comments

on the project will be included as part of the scoping for this EIS.

Dated: June 26, 1998.

Kevin Gover,

Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 98-17528 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]

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