[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8205-8206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02862]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Indian Gaming Commission


Notice of Tribal Consultations

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission.

ACTION: Notice of tribal consultations.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this document is to publish the schedule for 
government-to-government consultation on the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), and the NIGC's efforts to remain current with gaming 
technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christinia Thomas, Deputy Chief of 
Staff at (202) 632-7003

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Congress established the National Indian 
Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) under the Indian Gaming 
Regulatory Act (IGRA) to regulate gaming on Indian lands. In accordance 
with the NIGC's tribal consultation policy, the Commission will engage 
in consultation with tribal governments on the following topics.

The National Environmental Policy Act

    In December of 2009, the NIGC published a draft NEPA manual in the 
Federal Register and requested comments. Some of the comments received 
questioned whether the approval of a management contract actually 
triggered a NEPA review. Further, the comments suggested that the NIGC 
should either conclude that NEPA does not apply or it should adopt a 
categorical exclusion for the approval of management contracts. 
Therefore the Commission is seeking comments on what level of 
environmental review, if any, is required before the Chairman can or 
should approve a management contract.

Technology

    The Commission realizes that constant technologic advances are not 
only changing the face of Indian gaming, but also necessitate that the 
NIGC continue to adapt to meet the regulatory needs of the industry. As 
tribal gaming evolves, the NIGC wants to continue to play a relevant 
role in tribal gaming and ensure that it can meet the demands of new 
regulatory issues in a timely manner.

Consultation generally

    Executive Order 13175 entitled, ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' provides for the NIGC to engage in 
meaningful consultation with Tribal governments prior to taking an 
action that has tribal

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implications. Through this consultation, the NIGC hopes to identify 
areas that need to be addressed to ensure that the Agency meets new 
regulatory challenges as technology develops. The Commission recognizes 
the necessity of engaging experts from the industry as it considers its 
options. To ensure that any decisions made benefit and protect the 
entire gaming industry, all points of view must be considered and 
decisions informed by the industry the NIGC regulates.
    In compliance with Executive Order 13175, the NIGC will hold four 
consultations at the locations listed below. Every attempt was made to 
hold a consultation in each region and to coordinate with other 
established meetings when establishing this consultation schedule. 
Please RSVP to [email protected].

Consultation Schedule

    The Commission will be conducting government-to-government 
consultations with Tribes on this proposed rule at the following dates 
and locations:

 March 20, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV
 April 2, 2014 in Prior Lake, MN
 May 8, 2014 in Biloxi, MS
 May 14, 2014 in San Diego, CA

    One or more of the consultations will include an option for Tribes 
to participate by telephone. For additional information on consultation 
locations and times, please refer to the consultation page on the NIGC 
Web site at www.nigc.gov.

Jonodev Chaudhuri,
Acting Chairman.
Daniel J. Little,
Associate Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2014-02862 Filed 2-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7565-01-P