[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68822-68824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27949]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-11491: 2200-1100-665]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Russellville, AR

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, 
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests has completed an inventory of human 
remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural 
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects 
and present-day Indian tribes. Representatives of any Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and 
associated funerary objects may contact the Ozark-St. Francis National 
Forests. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional 
claimants come forward.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests at the 
address below by December 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Judith L. Henry, Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest Service, 
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Russellville, AR 72801, telephone 
(479) 964-7202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Ozark-St. Francis 
National Forests. The human remains and associated funerary objects 
either were removed from lands on the Ozark-St. Francis National 
Forests or, as noted, were removed from private land and donated to the 
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests by private collectors.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Ozark-
St. Francis National Forests professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; 
Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; Cherokee 
Nation; Chickasaw Nation; Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Delaware Nation, 
Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Jena Band of Choctaw 
Indians; Kialegee Tribal Town; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Mississippi 
Band of Choctaw Indians; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Quapaw 
Tribe of Indians; Shawnee Tribe; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Osage 
Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe); The Seminole Nation of 
Oklahoma; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe; United 
Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma; and the Wichita and 
Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3BE276 in Benton County, AR. The site was 
recorded in 1978 by Monroe Hutton and Gayle J. Fritz of the Arkansas 
Archeological Survey (AAS). Based on a close examination of the 
landlines in 2007, this site is located outside the Ozark-St. Francis 
National Forests, on private property adjacent to an Arkansas Highway 
Department right-of-way. The AAS transferred the remains to the Ozark-
St. Francis National Forests Supervisor's Office in 1992. The human 
remains consist of a single human tibia. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The site dates 
from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 1200. The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, four individuals 
were removed from site 3NW79 in Newton County, AR, by Thelma and Louis 
Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated the remains to the USDA 
Forest Service. The Gregoires identified human remains from one burial 
at the site, and the USDA Forest Service identified additional human 
remains in faunal collections from the site. No known individuals were 
identified. The two associated funerary objects from the identified 
burial are a lanceolate dart point and a soil sample. The site dates 
from 8000 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1972, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site 3NW428 in Newton County, AR, by Thelma and Louis 
Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated the remains to the USDA 
Forest Service. The Gregoires identified human remains of a young adult 
female from one burial at the site, and determined that those remains 
had previously been excavated and reburied by unknown looters. The USDA 
Forest Service identified additional human remains in faunal 
collections from the site. No

[[Page 68823]]

known individuals were identified. The two associated funerary objects 
from the burial are a cane splint needle and a unifacial knife or 
scraper. The site dates from 5000 B.C. to A.D. 1200. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1986, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from site 3NW623 in Newton County, AR, by John Slay, 
Forest Archeologist, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from the Early Archaic through Mississippi 
periods (7000 B.C.-A.D. 1600). The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW405 in Newton County, AR, by Steve Erwin of 
the AAS. The site is located on USDA-Forest Service land. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site 3NW408 in Newton County, AR, by Steve Erwin of 
the AAS. The site is located on USDA-Forest Service land. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1967, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW67 in Newton County, AR, by Thelma and Louis 
Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated their collection to the 
USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service identified these human 
remains in faunal collections from the site. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The site dates 
from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW77, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1967 and 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from site 3NW122 in Newton County, AR, by 
Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated their 
collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1967 and 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from site 3NW129 in Newton County, AR, by 
Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated their 
collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from site 3NW136 in Newton County, AR, by Thelma and Louis 
Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated their collection to the 
USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service identified these human 
remains in faunal collections from the site. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The site dates 
from 5000 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW161, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from A.D. 500 to 900. The location of this site 
is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The 
Osage Nation.
    In 1971, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW234, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 500 B.C. to A.D. 900. The location of this 
site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and 
The Osage Nation.
    In 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW247, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 900. The location of 
this site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW267, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. The six associated funerary objects 
are three shell beads, a bone pendant, a Langtry dart point, and a 
portion of a small mammal skeleton. The site dates from 2000 B.C. to 
A.D. 1000. The location of this site is within the historical range of 
the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW269, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service 
identified these human remains in faunal collections from the site. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. The site dates from 500 B.C. to A.D. 900. The location of this 
site is within the historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and 
The Osage Nation.

[[Page 68824]]

    In 1970, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site 3NW372 in Newton County, AR, by Thelma and Louis 
Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated their collection to the 
USDA-Forest Service. The USDA-Forest Service identified these human 
remains in faunal collections from the site. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. The site dates 
from 2000 B.C. to A.D. 900. The location of this site is within the 
historical range of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.
    In 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from site 3NW457, on private property, in Newton County, 
AR, by Thelma and Louis Gregoire of the AAS. In 1988, they donated 
their collection to the USDA-Forest Service. The Gregoires identified 
human remains from one burial from the site, and the USDA-Forest 
Service identified additional human remains in faunal collections from 
the site. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present. The site dates from 5000 B.C. to A.D. 1600. The 
location of this site is within the historical range of the Caddo 
Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.

Determinations Made by the USDA Forest Service, Ozark-St. Francis 
National Forests

    Officials of the USDA Forest Service, Ozark-St. Francis National 
Forests have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 28 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 10 objects described 
above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the 
death rite or ceremony.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Caddo 
Nation of Oklahoma and The Osage Nation.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Judith L. Henry, Forest Supervisor, USDA Forest 
Service Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Russellville, AR 72801, 
telephone (479) 964-7202, before December 17, 2012. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Caddo Nation of 
Oklahoma and The Osage Nation may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The USDA Forest Service, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, is 
responsible for notifying the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of 
Oklahoma; Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; 
Cherokee Nation; Chickasaw Nation; Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Delaware 
Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Jena Band of 
Choctaw Indians; Kialegee Tribal Town; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; 
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Peoria Tribe of Indians of 
Oklahoma; Quapaw Tribe of Indians; Shawnee Tribe; The Muscogee (Creek) 
Nation; The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe); The 
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; Tunica-Biloxi 
Indian Tribe; United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma; 
and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & 
Tawakonie), Oklahoma, that this notice has been published.

    Dated: October 12, 2012.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012-27949 Filed 11-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P