99-10450. Standards for Constructing and Maintaining Gaming Facilities Operated on Indian Lands  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 27, 1999)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 22588-22589]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-10450]
    
    
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    NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION
    
    25 CFR Chapter III
    
    
    Standards for Constructing and Maintaining Gaming Facilities 
    Operated on Indian Lands
    
    AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission.
    
    ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice announces the initiation of the rulemaking process 
    and requests information relevant to implementing regulations governing 
    standards for constructing and maintaining gaming facilities operated 
    on Indian lands in a manner which protects the environment and the 
    public health and safety.
    
    DATES: Comments in response to this advance notice must be submitted by 
    June 28, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Commenters may submit their comments by mail, facsimile, or 
    delivery to: Environment and Public Health and Safety Rule Comments, 
    National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street N.W., 
    Washington, DC 20005. Fax number : 202-632-7066 (not a toll-free 
    number). Public comments may be delivered or inspected from 9 a.m. 
    until noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd J. Araujo at 202-632-7003, or by 
    facsimile at 202-632-7066 (not toll-free numbers).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    1. Introduction
    
        The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA or the Act), 25 U.S.C. 2701 
    et seq., was signed into law on October 17, 1988. The Act established 
    the National Indian Gaming Commission (the Commission). The IGRA 
    required that an approved tribal gaming ordinance contain a provision 
    requiring each tribal gaming facility to be constructed and maintained 
    in a manner which adequately protects the environment and the public 
    health and safety. 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2710(2)(E). The Commission has 
    determined that standards are
    
    [[Page 22589]]
    
    needed to ensure adequate compliance with this statutory requirement.
        The IGRA expressly authorizes the Commission to ``promulgate such 
    regulations and guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the 
    provisions of this [Act].'' 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2706(b)(10).
    
    2. Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    
        After consideration of this issue, the NIGC has determined that the 
    appropriate course of action is to publish an Advance Notice of 
    Proposed Rulemaking to collect further information.
        Before the NIGC proceeds in this area, it intends to have the 
    benefit of a full airing of the issues through the public comment 
    process.
    
    3. Request for Comments
    
        Public comment is requested to assist the NIGC in the drafting of 
    regulations which ensure that Indian gaming facilities are constructed 
    and maintained in a manner which protects the environment and the 
    public health and safety. Comment is requested on the following issues:
        (a) Is it necessary for the Commission to promulgate regulations 
    which ensure that tribal gaming facilities are constructed and 
    maintained in a manner which protect the environment and the public 
    health and safety? What alternative steps may exist to accomplish this 
    objective?
        (b) What other steps are currently being taken to ensure that 
    tribal gaming facilities are constructed and maintained in a manner 
    that adequately protects the environment and public health and safety? 
    What is the best method of incorporating these steps into a regulatory 
    structure implemented by the NIGC?
        (c) What are the major threats to the environment and the public 
    health and safety posed by the operation of gaming facilities on Indian 
    lands?
        (d) In promulgating regulations to ensure that tribal gaming 
    facilities are maintained in a manner which protects the environment 
    and the public health and safety, is it necessary to differentiate 
    between large, mid-size and small gaming facilities?
        (e) If yes, how should the Commission determine what are large, 
    mid-size and small operations?
        (f) What type of standards should apply to all gaming facilities 
    regardless of size?
        (g) How long should the Commission allow for the tribes to comply 
    with the proposed regulations?
        The Commission solicits any additional suggestions and/or 
    interpretations regarding the issues raised in this Advance Notice of 
    Proposed Rulemaking.
    
    4. Public Participation
    
        Interested parties are invited to submit comments on any or all of 
    these and other pertinent issues related to issuing environmental, and 
    public health and safety regulations by June 28, 1999, in triplicate to 
    Environment, and Public Health and Safety Rule Comments, National 
    Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street N.W., Washington, 
    D.C. 20005. Fax number: 202-632-7066 (not a toll-free number). All 
    written comments submitted in response to this notice will be available 
    for inspection and copying in the NIGC office from 9 a.m. until noon 
    and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All timely written 
    submissions will be considered in determining the nature of any 
    proposal.
    
    Authority and Signature
    
        This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was prepared under the 
    direction of Barry W. Brandon, General Counsel, National Indian Gaming 
    Commission, 1441 L St. N.W., Suite 9100, Washington, D.C. 20005.
    
        Signed at Washington, D.C. this 29th day of March, 1999.
    Montie R. Deer,
    Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission.
    [FR Doc. 99-10450 Filed 4-26-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7565-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/27/1999
Department:
National Indian Gaming Commission
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
99-10450
Dates:
Comments in response to this advance notice must be submitted by June 28, 1999.
Pages:
22588-22589 (2 pages)
PDF File:
99-10450.pdf
CFR: (1)
25 CFR None