Notice of Availability and Decision to Proceed with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Casino Drive North Project, Allegan County, Michigan

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in conjunction with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band (Band), is proposing to provide and utilize federal funding to facilitate an undertaking, identified above. The Band proposes to construct a new 1,225-foot-long roadway connecting 130th Avenue to the existing facility roads. The proposed road will cross Buskirk Creek with a new 92-foot, four lane bridge. A new stormwater basin will be constructed on the northwest side of the bridge. A pedestrian path will be constructed to the east of the new roadway. The proposed road will be called Casino Drive North. An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared and subsequently reviewed and adopted by the BIA pursuant to 516 DM 3.6. In consideration of the information provided to the BIA and the overall NEPA review process, no long-term adverse effects to historic properties, Federally-listed threatened and endangered species, water resources including wetlands, or any other federally regulated resources are anticipated. If any adverse impacts to, or inadvertent discoveries of, historic/cultural resources, Federally-listed species, and/or any other regulated resources are made, the project shall be suspended and the Band and the BIA promptly notified. Project operations are expected to comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, permits, permissions, authorizations, stipulations, and best management practices. If these conditions are met, the proposed project, as described in the EA’s preferred alternative, would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be required. The finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and EA are available for public review upon request. 

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Finding of No Significant Impact Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Casino Drive North Project, Allegan County, Michigan 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in conjunction with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band (Band), is proposing to provide and utilize federal funding to facilitate an undertaking, identified above. The Band proposes to construct a new 1,225-foot-long roadway connecting 130th Avenue to the existing facility roads. The proposed road will cross Buskirk Creek with a new 92-foot, four lane bridge. A new stormwater basin will be constructed on the northwest side of the bridge. A pedestrian path will be constructed to the east of the new roadway. An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared and subsequently reviewed and adopted by the BIA pursuant to 516 DM 3.6. In consideration of the information provided to the BIA and the overall NEPA review process, no long-term adverse effects to historic properties, Federally-listed threatened and endangered species, water resources including wetlands, or any other federally regulated resources are anticipated. If any adverse impacts to, or inadvertent discoveries of, historic/cultural resources, Federally-listed species, and/or any other regulated resources are made, the project shall be suspended and the Band and the BIA promptly notified. Project operations are expected to comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, permits, permissions, authorizations, stipulations, and best management practices. If these conditions are met, the proposed project as described in the preferred alternative would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be required. 

This determination is supported by the following findings: 

1. This action would not have significant adverse effects on public health or safety, unique geographical features, wetlands, wild or scenic rivers, refuges, floodplains, rivers placed on nationwide river inventory, or prime or unique farmlands. 
2. The action will not have highly controversial environmental effects or any highly uncertain environmental impacts or involve unique or unknown environmental risks. 
3. This action will not establish a precedent for future actions and is not related to other actions with individually insignificant, but cumulatively significant environmental effects. 
4. This action will not affect properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or affect a species listed, or proposed to be listed, as endangered or threatened. 
5. This finding is predicated on the project conforming to all applicable laws and regulations. All applicable permits and permissions must be obtained. 
6. This action will not have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on low income or minority populations and will not limit access to, or the ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites on federal lands by Indian religious practitioners, or significantly adversely affect the physical integrity of such sacred sites. 
7. This action will not contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species known to occur in the area and will not promote the introduction, growth, or expansion of the range of such species. 
8. The proposed action would improve the economic and social conditions of the subject Indian Tribe, Tribal community, and/or individual Indians. 

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