NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
PROPOSED AUGUSTINE RESERVATION CASINO PROJECT

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)
ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

SUMMARY:

The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians (Tribe) has submitted a request to the
NIGC for the approval of a management agreement between the Tribe and Paragon
Augustine, LLC, for the operation of a casino complex on existing tribal land.

The proposed 31,200 square-foot gaming and entertainment facility is located on 13 acres
within the Augustine Reservation. The proposed federal action is the approval of the
management agreement by the NIGC. Approval of this document will allow the Tribe to
engage Paragon Augustine, LLC, to operate the proposed gaming facility subject to the
conditions of the existing Tribe/State Gaming Compact and this FONSI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Harriman, Technical Reviewer

National Indian Gaming Commission

1441 L Street NW, Suite 9100

Washington, DC 20005

(703) 625-9164

PUBLIC AVAILABILITY:

The Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) was reviewed during a thirty-day public
comment period and very few.comments were received. The Final EA (FEA) for the
project has been prepared in full consideration of the comments received. This FONSI
and a copy of responses to the public comments will be distributed to all commenting
persons and agencies. Additionally, all individuals and organizations on the initial Draft
EA mailing list will receive a copy of the FEA. Copies of the FEA are available upon.
request at the following address.

Augustine Band of Mission Indians
84481 Avenue 54
Coachella, CA 92236:

BACKGROUND:

Gaming is a unique opportunity for the Tribe to develop an economic base. This
opportunity is afforded the Tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C.
2701 et seg. ) and was sanctioned by the State of California through a State/Tribe Gaming
Compact approved by the Governor and the Secretary of the Interior.



DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT:

The Augustine Casino is a 31,200 square-foot facility located on a 13 acre site in
Riverside County, California with access from Avenue 54 and Van Buren Street in the
City of Coachella. The facility will contain 700 slots and 10 table games, a restaurant,
bar and associated infrastructure/administrative areas. Adjacent parking will be provided
for 950 vehicles. The project also includes a 240,000 gallon potable water storage tank
and two runoff retention basins on reservation lands.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: .
An EA documenting the planning process and analyzing implementation impacts of the
proposed project has been completed. No significant unmitigated adverse environmental
impacts are indicated by the EA.

The impact on the quality of the human environment is judged to be of minor adverse
impact and significant beneficial economic impact to both the Tribe and the surrounding
communities. There are no significant unmitigated impacts on public health and safety.
The site contains no eligible or listed National Register of Historic Places sites or any
known significant archeological resources, which will be adversely impacted by the
project. There are no significant unmitigated adverse impacts on endangered species or
their critical habitat. The proposed management contract will have no significant
unmitigated impacts on declared wetlands and will not significantly impact water quality
or air quality. There are no significant unmitigated impacts on traffic flow.

REQUIRED MITIGATION:

All mitigation measures described in Section 4.0 of the Final EA as being implemented to
reduce potentially significant adverse impacts of the project to a point of insignificance,
are conditions of the approval of this project. NIGC’s approval of the management
agreement and signing of this FONSI makes operation of the gaming facility under the
proposed management contract contingent upon implementation of these mitigation
measures.

DETERMINATION:

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and implementing
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1500-1508), I find that the
proposed federal action, to approve the management agreement between the Augustine
Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians and Paragon Augustine, LLC, when the mitigation
measures are followed, does not constitute a major federal action that would significantly
affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA. Therefore, an
Environmental Impact Statement is not required for this proposal.

Ls S-Qaaew

Montie R. Deer, Chairman Date
National Indian Gaming Commission