[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23572-23573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09942]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-18014; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service, Big Cypress National Preserve, 
Ochopee, FL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 
Big Cypress National Preserve, in consultation with the appropriate 
Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the

[[Page 23573]]

cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written 
request to Big Cypress National Preserve. If no additional claimants 
come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal 
descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to Big Cypress National Preserve at 
the address in this notice by May 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: J.D. Lee, Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, 
33110 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141, telephone (239) 695-1103, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 
Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL, that meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    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 
Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve.

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    On an unknown date prior to the establishment of Big Cypress 
National Preserve, 442 cultural items were removed from an unnamed site 
in Collier County, FL, by D.L. Houghton. In 1999, Mr. Houghton donated 
the objects to Big Cypress National Preserve and indicated to park 
staff the location of their removal. The whereabouts of the human 
remains is not known. The 442 unassociated funerary objects are 439 
glass beads, 1 beaded silver bracelet, 1 wire beaded bracelet, and 1 
metal knife.
    The unnamed site exhibits evidence of historic Seminole/Miccosukee 
occupation including glass, metal, and a number of chickee structures. 
Both the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida 
(previously listed as the Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big 
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations)) have indicated that 
the items were types used in funerary contexts.

Determinations Made by Big Cypress National Preserve

    Officials of Big Cypress National Preserve have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 442 cultural items 
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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and 
the Seminole Tribe of Florida (previously listed as the Seminole Tribe 
of Florida (Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa 
Reservations)).

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to J.D. Lee, Superintendent, Big Cypress 
National Preserve, 33110 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141, 
telephone (239) 695-1103, email [email protected], by May 28, 2015. After 
that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of 
control of the unassociated funerary objects to the Miccosukee Tribe of 
Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida (previously listed as the 
Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & 
Tampa Reservations)) may proceed.
    Big Cypress National Preserve is responsible for notifying the 
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida 
(previously listed as the Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big 
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations)) that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: March 26, 2015.
Mariah Soriano,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-09942 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P