[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17466-17467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6831]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Guidance for Compliance With the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act by National Park 
Service Offices and Units

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park System Advisory Board completed a 
servicewide review of the process used by NPS to determine the cultural 
affiliation of human remains and other cultural items as required under 
the Native American Graves and Protection Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 
3001 et seq.) in June 2002. The final report contains five 
recommendations that are being implemented by revising and updating 
Appendix R of the Cultural Resource Management Guideline under 
Director's Order 28. The revised draft ``Guidance for Compliance with 
the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act by National 
Park Service Offices and Units--NPS Cultural Resource Management 
Guideline, Appendix R'' is now available for public comment.

DATES: The National Park Service will accept comments from the public 
on the draft ``Guidance for Compliance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act by National Park Service Offices and 
Units--NPS Cultural Resource Management Guideline, Appendix R'' for 90 
days after publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: To request a paper copy contact: Mary S. Carroll, Park 
NAGPRA Program Lead, National Park Service, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, 
Lakewood CO 80225, 303-969-2300, 303-987-6675 (fax),  [email protected]. The draft guidance also may be accessed and downloaded 
from the Internet at http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/SITES/affiliation.htm.
    Submit comments via regular mail or express delivery service to the 
address. Comments also may be submitted via e-mail to the address 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary S. Carroll, Park NAGPRA Program 
Lead, National Park Service, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood CO 
80225, 303-969-2300, 303-987-6675 (fax), [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A subcommittee of the National Park System 
Advisory Board (NPSAB), the Federally chartered board that advises NPS 
and the Secretary of the Interior on a wide range of matters, conducted 
a servicewide review of the process used by NPS to determine the 
cultural affiliation of human remains and other cultural items as 
required under NAGPRA.
    The NPSAB provided Director Fran Mainella with the final report in 
June 2002. The report contains five recommendations that focus on the 
distinction between ``cultural affiliation'' and ``traditionally 
associated peoples,'' the precision of cultural affiliation 
determinations, and the consultation process. The recommendations are 
being implemented by revising and updating technical guidance on 
implementation of NAGPRA, specifically, Appendix R of the Cultural 
Resource Management Guideline under Director's Order 28.
    The process of revising the guidelines has been undertaken by a 
group of National Park Service experts familiar with NAGPRA and 
representing a variety of perspectives on the implementation of NAGPRA. 
Members of the work group include staff familiar with regional NAGPRA 
coordination, Native American perspectives, park cultural resources, 
park management, and tribal liaison issues. As recommended by the 
NPSAB, tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and

[[Page 17467]]

others affected by NAGPRA are being contacted for comments and input.

    Dated: February 14, 2005.
Cyd Martin,
Director, Office of Indian Affairs & American Culture, IMR.
[FR Doc. 05-6831 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
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