[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 32856-32857] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-16090] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession of the Modoc National Forest, United States Forest Service, Alturas, CA AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the United States Forest Service which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' under Section 2 of the Act. The cultural item is a volcanic stone pipe with incised lines at one end. There is burnt residue coating the interior of the pipe. In 1985, this pipe was removed from the surface in the vicinity of Goose Creek in the Warner Mountains during a legally-authorized archeological survey. The area from which the pipe was removed is well within the ethnographic territory of the Gidutikadu Band of the Northern Paiute, now part of the Ft. Bidwell Indian Community of California. Evidence presented by representatives of the Ft. Bidwell Indian Community indicate this pipe was used for certain religious ceremonies and rites held by the Northern Paiute people, and is needed to continue the practice of traditional Paiute religion by present-day adherents. Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the United States Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), this cultural item is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the United States Forest Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these items and the Ft. Bidwell Indian Community. This notice has been sent to officials of the Ft. Bidwell Indian Community. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Diane Henderson-Bramlette, Forest Supervisor, Modoc National Forest, United States Forest Service, 800 W. 12th Street, Alturas, CA 96101, telephone (916) 233-5811 before July 25, 1996. Repatriation of these objects to the Ft. Bidwell Indian Community may [[Page 32857]] begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: June 19, 1996. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 96-16090 Filed 6-24-96 ; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F