UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AGENCY: BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, EASTERN OKLAHOMA REGION
ACTION: NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Department of the Interior, has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) dated July 2025 for the Osage Nation Lake Ozark Casino Resort Project (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project involves the acquisition into federal trust of approximately 27.6 acres of fee land owned by the Osage Nation (Nation) within the City of Lake Ozark in Miller County, Missouri (Project Site). The Project Site will be used for the development of a Class II gaming facility and hotel. The Proposed Action includes the federal approvals requested by the Nation to implement its project, including the transfer of the Project Site into federal trust status for the benefit of the Nation under Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5108, and issuance of a Two-Part Determination by the Secretary of the Interior under Section 20 of Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. § 2719. The EA has been completed in accordance with requirements set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., and assesses potential environmental impacts that could result from the BIA’s approval of the Proposed Action. The BIA serves as the Lead Agency for NEPA compliance. Based on the analysis and impacts discussed in the EA and comments received during the public review period, the BIA will decide whether to reach a Finding of No Significant Impact or require additional analysis.
DATES: The Draft EA is available for public review online at https://OsageLakeOzarkEA.com beginning July 31, 2025. Written comments should be received on or before September 2, 2025. Comments are solicited and should be directed to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office (EORO), at the address provided below or via the email provided below.
ADDRESS: Comments for the EA should be addressed to:
Regional Director, BIA, EORO,
P.O. Box 8002,
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402-8002 or submitted via email to
admin@osagelakeozarkea.com
FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mosby Halterman,
Regional Environmental Scientist, BIA, EORO,
P.O. Box 8002,
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402-8002 or via email at
mosby.halterman@bia.gov
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The tract is located in Section 32, Township 40 North, Range 15 West of the 5th Principal Baseline and Meridian in Miller County, Missouri. The Project Site comprises one parcel (Assessor Parcel No. 129032000000012000) and is bounded by Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway. A map identifying the location of the Project Site can be viewed online at
https://OsageLakeOzarkEA.com Project activities under the preferred alternative will include: the fee-to-trust acquisition of a 29-acre property on behalf of The Osage Nation for the purpose of developing a casino-resort facility with approximately 40,000 square feet (sf) of gaming floor, a hotel tower with a total of 150 rooms, and associated amenities and utilities. The Draft EA is an analysis of environmental effects and not a decision to proceed with an action; therefore, it cannot be appealed. 25 CFR 2.203 requires a 30-day appeal period, after the decision to proceed with the action is made, before the action may be implemented. Appeal information will be made publicly available when the decision to proceed is made.
Published July 31, 2025
