[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57610-57611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26287]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024178; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, 
Chugach National Forest, has completed an inventory of human remains, 
in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation 
between the human remains and present-day Indian Tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any 
Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 
should submit a written request to the Chugach National Forest. If no 
additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native

[[Page 57611]]

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 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to the 
Chugach National Forest at the address in this notice by January 5, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Terri Marceron, Chugach National Forest, 161 East 1st 
Avenue, Door 8, Anchorage, AK 99501, telephone (907) 743-9525, 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. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains under 
the control of the Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, AK. The human 
remains were removed from Crafton Island, AK.
    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. 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 Chugach 
National Forest professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Native Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), Native Village of Eyak 
(Cordova), and Native Village of Tatitlek, and representatives of the 
Chugach Alaska Corporation, which is not an Indian Tribe.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 2005, as part of an Archaeological Resources Protection Act 
(ARPA) incident, Chugach National Forest Law Enforcement staff seized 
human remains representing, at minimum, one individual, at a cabin on 
Peak Island, AK. According to case records, the person claiming 
ownership of the human remains stated that they had been collected from 
a cave on Crafton Island, in Prince William Sound circa 1958. Based on 
size and shape, these human remains likely belong to a female. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Crafton Island is in an area that was extensively investigated in 
the early 1930's. De Laguna (1956) reports that caves in the vicinity 
had been looted as early as 1934. Historical documents, excavation 
records, and archeological evidence indicate occupation sites in this 
area are pre-contact Chugach, and that it has been the traditional 
burial grounds of the Chugach people since pre-contact times. The 
present-day Indian Tribes represented at the Native Village of Chenega 
(aka Chanega) and the Native Village of Tatitlek descended from the 
earlier Chugach at Crafton Island. Additionally, the Native Village of 
Eyak (Cordova) may have had an association at Crafton Island.

Determinations Made by the USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest

    Officials of the USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of 
Native American ancestry.
     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 contemporary communities represented by the 
Native Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), Native Village of Eyak 
(Cordova), and Native Village of Tatitlek.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Terri 
Marceron, Chugach National Forest, 161 East 1st Avenue, Door 8, 
Anchorage, AK 99501, telephone (907) 743-9525, email 
[email protected], by January 5, 2018. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains to the Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), the Native 
Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), and the Native Village of Tatitlek 
may proceed. By signed delegated authority, and on behalf of the Native 
Village of Eyak, the Native Village of Chenega, and the Native Village 
of Tatitlek, the Chugach Alaska Corporation will accept physical 
custody of the human remains.
    The USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, is responsible 
for notifying the Native Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), Native 
Village of Eyak (Cordova), and Native Village of Tatitlek, and the 
Chugach Alaska Corporation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 20, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-26287 Filed 12-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P