As the Lead Agency, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians (Tribe) hereby provides this Notice of Availability of a Final Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Morongo Hotel Project.  This EA documents the environmental review of a proposal by the Tribe to develop a 23-acre Project site to accommodate two standalone hotels, approximately four standalone pad (standalone sites typically located within a parking lot upon which a customized space can be built and/or leased for a tenant) type retail outlets, and three standalone office spaces. The EA supports a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Project site is located in a previously disturbed area on the Morongo Indian Reservation north of the Seminole Drive traffic circle. Surrounding (<1,000 feet) land uses of the Project site include disturbed Reservation lands to the north and northeast, the existing Morongo Travel Center and the existing Morongo Casino Resort & Spa (MCRS) facility to the east and southeast, the I-10 and associated infrastructure to the south and southwest, the existing Cabazon Outlets to the west, and off-Reservation housing to the northwest. The EA and FONSI are available for review on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ website at https://morongonation.org/environmentalreview. Hard copies are available at the Morongo Tribal Administration Building, located at 12700 Pumarra Road, Banning, CA 92220. No further action will be taken on the environmental process for at least 20 days after the publication of this notice. For more information, please contact Dana Morey, Director, Morongo Environmental Protection Department, 12700 Pumarra Rd, Banning, CA 92220, telephone (951) 755-5198, email DMorey@morongo-nsn.gov.  Written comments should be mailed or emailed to Dana Morey at the addresses above and will be accepted during a 20-day public review period beginning 11/25/2022 and ending 12/15/2022.

Over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada gathered with thousands of spectators to honor traditional Native American music, dance and art.

Morongo Indian Reservation – More than 30,000 spectators celebrated Native American music, art, and dancing at the 31st Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, held September 23 – 25 at the Morongo Indian Reservation. 

As one of the nation’s most highly anticipated powwows, the year’s outdoor gathering hosted by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians attracted over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the United States and Canada.

Throughout the weekend, dancers wearing intricate, handcrafted regalia of leather, fine beadwork and brightly-colored feathers competed in a variety of events that displayed the diversity of Native American dance styles.

“The Morongo Thunder and Lightning Powwow offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our heritage while passing along our traditions to future generations,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Powwow allows us to share our culture with visitors to our reservation, and to teach others about the beauty of Native American dance, music and art.”

The highlight of each day, the Grand Entry drew hundreds of dancers dressed in traditional regalia into the powwow arena which was transformed into a spectacular display of rhythm, music and motion as men, women and children danced together to the music of competitive drum groups and singers.

The Powwow included traditional bird singing and peon games of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and other tribes in Southern California.

At the Morongo Indian Market, artists offered authentic Native American crafts for sale, such as handmade baskets, beadwork, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Native food vendors offered customary homemade delicacies such as Indian tacos and tasty Indian frybread.

UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to undergraduate and graduate students.

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/tuition-financial-aid/types-of-aid/native-american-opportunity-plan.html

Annual Morongo Air Monitoring Network plan is available for review 3/10/2022 to 5/1/2022. Please contact Pamela Atcitty at patcitty@morongo-nsn.gov to make arrangements to view a copy on site.