[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33779-33781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14933]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0028203; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office, McCook, NE, and 
History Nebraska (Formerly the Nebraska State Historical Society), 
Lincoln, NE

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Nebraska-Kansas Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation, 
and History Nebraska (formerly the Nebraska State Historical Society) 
have completed an inventory of human remains and an associated funerary 
object, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations, and have determined that there is a cultural 
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary object 
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 and associated funerary 
object should submit a written request to History Nebraska. If no 
additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains and associated funerary object 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 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary object should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to History Nebraska at the address in this 
notice by August 14, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Rob Bozell, History Nebraska, 5050 N 32nd Street, Lincoln, 
NE 68504, telephone (402) 525-1624, 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 and 
associated funerary object under the control of the U.S. Department of 
the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office, 
McCook, NE, and in the physical custody of History Nebraska (formerly 
the Nebraska State Historical Society), Lincoln, NE. The human remains 
were removed from Buffalo, Frontier, Merrick, and Nance Counties, NE.
    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 object. 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 Bureau 
of Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office and History Nebraska 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Arapaho 
Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
Nebraska; Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Northern Cheyenne Tribe of 
the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Omaha Tribe of 
Nebraska; Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma; Ponca Tribe of Nebraska; Santee 
Sioux Nation, Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse 
Reservation, South Dakota; and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
    The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the 
Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, 
Oklahoma (previously listed as the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of 
Oklahoma); Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River 
Reservation, South Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Creek Sioux 
Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota; Crow Tribe of 
Montana; Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Tribe of Indians; Iowa 
Tribe of Oklahoma; Kaw Nation, Oklahoma; Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of 
the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas; Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; Lower 
Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation, South Dakota; Oglala 
Sioux Tribe (previously listed as the Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine 
Ridge Reservation, South Dakota); Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, 
Oklahoma; Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Prairie Band Potawatomi 
Nation (previously listed as the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation, 
Kansas); Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South 
Dakota; Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska; Sac & Fox 
Nation, Oklahoma; Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; Spirit 
Lake Tribe, North Dakota; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South 
Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North 
Dakota; Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & 
Tawakonie), Oklahoma; and the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota were 
invited to consult but did not participate.
    Hereafter, all the Indian Tribes listed in this section are 
referred to as ``The Consulted and Invited Tribes.''

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1973, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from the Flat Rock site 25BF210 in Buffalo County, NE. The 
human remains were excavated by the University of Nebraska, Lincoln 
working under contract to the National Park Service during 
archeological investigations of the proposed Mid-State Irrigation 
Project. In 2011, the human remains were discovered and removed from 
the 25BF210 archeological collection during a curation project by 
History Nebraska conducted under an agreement with the Bureau of 
Reclamation. The human remains represent two individuals of unknown sex 
and age (25BF210-A and 25BF210-B). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1933, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Gammill-Phillips site 25FT1 in Frontier County, 
NE. The human remains were excavated by the Nebraska State Historical 
Society during the course of archeological investigations. The human 
remains represent one (possibly male) child 1.5-2.5 years of age. No 
known individuals

[[Page 33780]]

were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1933, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from the Owens site 25FT3 in Frontier County, NE. The 
human remains were excavated by History Nebraska during archeological 
investigations. The human remains represent one (possibly female) 20-30 
years of age (25FT3-A), and one individual of unknown sex and age 
(25FT3-B). No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Sometime prior to 1990, and under unknown circumstances, human 
remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from the 
Compton site 25FT13 in Frontier County, NE. The human remains represent 
one adult of unknown age or sex. No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1947, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Aiken site 25FT16-A in Frontier County, NE. The 
human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian Institution-River Basin 
Surveys during the course of archeological investigations. The human 
remains represent one (possibly female) child 9.5-10.5 years of age. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1947, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Aiken site 25FT16-B in Frontier County, NE. The 
human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian Institution-River Basin 
Surveys during the course of archeological investigations. The human 
remains represent one adult female 25-40 years of age. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1947-1948, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from archeological site 25FT17 in Frontier 
County, NE. The human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian 
Institution-River Basin Surveys during archeological investigations. In 
2011, the human remains were discovered and removed from the 25FT17 
archeological collection during a curation project conducted by History 
Nebraska under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The human 
remains represent one individual of unknown sex and age. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In the 1940s, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from archeological site 25FT22-A in Frontier 
County, NE. The human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian 
Institution-River Basin Surveys during the course of archeological 
investigations. The human remains represent one child female 3-6 years 
of age. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In the 1940s, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from archeological site 25FT22-B in Frontier 
County, NE. The human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian 
Institution-River Basin Surveys during the course of archeological 
investigations. The human remains represent one adult male 15-35 years 
of age. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In 1987, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from archeological site 25FT22-C in Frontier County, NE. 
The human remains were excavated by Donna Roper during archeological 
investigations of Medicine Creek Reservoir under a contract with the 
Bureau of Reclamation. The human remains represent one child of unknown 
sex 5-6 years of age. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In the 1940s, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from archeological site 25FT28-A in Frontier 
County, NE. The human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian 
Institution-River Basin Surveys during the course of archeological 
investigations. The human remains represent one adult male 15-35 years 
of age. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In 1947 or 1949, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from archeological site 25FT39-A in Frontier 
County, NE. The human remains were excavated by the Smithsonian 
Institution-River Basin Surveys during the course of archeological 
investigations. The human remains represent one adult of unknown age or 
sex. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Prior to 1990, and under unknown circumstances, human remains 
representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from 
archeological site 25FT39-B in Frontier County, NE. In 2011, the human 
remains were discovered and removed from the 25FT39 archeological 
collection during a curation project conducted by History Nebraska 
under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The human remains 
represent one individual of unknown age or sex. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1985, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from the Marvin Colson site 25FT158 in Frontier County, 
NE. The human remains were excavated by Donna Roper during the course 
of archeological investigations under a contract with the Bureau of 
Reclamation. The human remains represent two adults of unknown age or 
sex (25FT158-A and 25FT158-B). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1992, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from the Tahaksu site 25MK15 in Merrick County, NE. The 
human remains were excavated by the University of Nebraska State Museum 
working under contract to the Bureau of Reclamation during construction 
of the Fullerton Canal project. The human remains represent one 
individual of unknown age and sex. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1992, human remains representing, at minimum, five individuals 
were removed from the Palmer Locality site 25NC29 in Nance County, NE. 
The human remains were excavated by the University of Nebraska State 
Museum working under contract to the Bureau of Reclamation during 
construction of the Fullerton Canal project. The human remains 
represent one young adult of unknown age and sex (25NC29-A), one child 
4-6 years of age (25NC29-B), one adult of unknown age and sex (25NC29-
C), and one child 5-6 years of age (25NC29-D). In 2006, human remains 
were discovered and removed from the 25NC29 archeological collection 
during a curation project conducted by History Nebraska under an 
agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The human remains represent 
one individual of unknown sex and age (25NC29-E). No known individuals 
were identified. The one associated funerary object is red ochre 
pigment found with individual 25NC29-A.
    The human remains listed in this notice were determined to be 
Native American based on archeological context, burial patterns, 
osteology, or associated diagnostic artifacts. Based on oral tradition 
and archeological evidence, the Bureau of Reclamation

[[Page 33781]]

and History Nebraska have determined there is a relationship of shared 
group identity that can be reasonably traced between the human remains 
listed in this notice and the Native American people that are 
represented today by three Indian Tribes.

Determinations Made by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office and History Nebraska

    Officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office and History Nebraska have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 23 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the one object described 
in this notice that is 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 the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma; Three 
Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; and 
the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), 
Oklahoma (hereafter referred to as ``The Affiliated Tribes'').

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 and associated 
funerary object should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Rob Bozell, History Nebraska, 5050 N 32nd 
Street, Lincoln, NE 68504, telephone (402) 525-1624, email 
[email protected], by August 14, 2019. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary object to The Affiliated Tribes 
may proceed.
    The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 
Nebraska-Kansas Area Office is responsible for notifying The Consulted 
and Invited Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: June 13, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-14933 Filed 7-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P