[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 42261-42262] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-20634] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains from Prince William Sound, AK, in the Control of the Chugach National Forest, United States Forest Service, Anchorage, AK AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Prince William Sound, AK, in the control of the Chugach National Forest, United States Forest [[Page 42262]] Service, Anchorage, AK. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by U.S. Forest Service and National Museum of Denmark professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Chugach Heritage Foundation. In 1933, human remains representing 24 individuals were recovered from caves and village sites in the Chugach National Forest, Prince William Sound, AK, during legally authorized excavations by the University of Pennsylvania and the Danish National Museum, and sent back to the National Museum of Denmark the same year. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Historical documents, excavation records, and archeological evidence indicate these caves and village sites are precontact Chugach occupation and traditional burial areas based on the manner of internment and associated funerary objects. Oral traditions presented by representatives of the Chugach Heritage Foundation state that these areas are traditional burial grounds of the Chugach people since precontact times. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the United States Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of 24 individuals of Native American ancestry. 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 Native American human remains and the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the Native Village of Eyak, and the Tatitlek I.R.A. Council. This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Heritage Foundation, the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the Native Village of Eyak, and the Tatitlek I.R.A. Council. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Mr. Larry Hudson, Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Anchorage, AK; telephone: (907) 271-2500, before September 5, 1997. Control of the human remains will be transferred to the Chugach Heritage Foundation on behalf of the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the Native Village of Eyak, and the Tatitlek I.R.A. Council after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: August 1, 1997. Veletta Canouts, Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 97-20634 Filed 8-5-97 ; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F