Notice2025-04171
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Primary source
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Published
March 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sonoma State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 50 (Monday, March 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 50 (Monday, March 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12345-12346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04171]
[[Page 12345]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039429; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert
Park, CA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sonoma State University intends to
repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of
unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with
the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after April 16, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Doshia Dodd, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati
Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, telephone (530) 514-8472, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#561239253e3f37783239323216253938393b3778333223"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="672308140f0e06490308030327140809080a0649020312">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the
Sonoma State University, and additional information on the
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation,
can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park
Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A lot of six cultural items under Accession Number 73-08 removed
from archaeological sites CA-SON-688 (P-49-000633), and CA-SON-689 (P-
49-000634), north of Stillwater Cove in Sonoma County, California have
been requested for repatriation. The lot of six unassociated funerary
objects are shell, flaked stone tools and debitage, and groundstone.
The cultural items have remained at Sonoma State University since being
accessioned under 73-08.
A lot of 25 cultural items under Accession Number 73-10 removed
from CA-SON-690 (P-49-000635), near Sea Ranch in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The lot of 25
unassociated funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage;
historic-period material; modified shell; and shell beads. The cultural
items have remained at Sonoma State University since being accessioned
under 73-10.
A lot of 18 cultural items under Accession Number 76-04 removed
from CA-SON-923 (P-49-000863), CA-SON-924 (P-49-000864), CA-SON-925 (P-
49-000865), and the Russian River Wastewater Survey, near Ocean Cove in
Sonoma County, California have been requested for repatriation. The
unassociated funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage;
groundstone; unmodified shell; and soil samples. Sonoma State
University acquired the cultural items in 1976 from a Sonoma State
University-led archaeological project. The cultural items have remained
at Sonoma State University since being accessioned under 76-04.
One lot of cultural items under Accession Number 77-03 removed from
CA-SON-1057 (P-49-000989), near Jenner in Sonoma County, California
have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated funerary objects
are flaked stone tools and debitage. Sonoma State University acquired
the cultural items in 1977 from a Sonoma State University-led
archaeological project. The cultural items have remained at Sonoma
State University since they were accessioned under 77-03.
A lot of three cultural items under Accession Number 79-03 removed
from CA-SON-1091 (P-49-001020) near Timber Cove, and CA-SON-1175 (P-49-
001102) near Jenner in Sonoma County, California have been requested
for repatriation. The unassociated funerary objects are flaked stone
tools and debitage; and shell beads. Sonoma State University acquired
the cultural items in 1979 from a Sonoma State University-led
archaeological project for the Sonoma County Planning Department. The
cultural items have remained at Sonoma State University since being
accessioned under 79-03.
A lot of three cultural items under Accession Number 81-01 removed
from CA-SON-1350 (P-49-001268), near Sea Ranch in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated
funerary objects are groundstone; and modified shell. Sonoma State
University acquired the cultural items in 1981 from a Sonoma State
University-led archaeological project. The cultural items have remained
at Sonoma State University since being accessioned under 81-01.
A lot of 745 cultural items under Accession Number 91-02 removed
from CA-SON-1918 (P-49-000989), near Timber Cove in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated
funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage; groundstone;
historic-period material; unmodified faunal bone and shell. Sonoma
State University acquired the cultural items in 1991 from a Sonoma
State University-led archaeological project for the Sonoma County
Planning Department. The cultural items have remained at Sonoma State
University since being accessioned under 91-02.
A lot of 46 cultural items under Accession Number 92-03 removed
from CA-SON-0000 (Jenner Site), near Jenner in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated
funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage; and groundstone.
Sonoma State University acquired the cultural items in 1992 from Origer
Consulting Inc., who collected the items during an archeological
project for the Sonoma County Planning Department. The cultural items
have remained at Sonoma State University since being accessioned under
92-03.
A lot of 56 cultural items under Accession Number 84-01 removed
from CA-SON-0000 (Timber Cove), near Timber Cove in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated
funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage; and historic-
period material. Sonoma State University acquired the cultural items in
1984 from a Sonoma State University-led archaeological project. The
cultural items have remained at Sonoma State University since being
accessioned under 84-01.
A lot of 17 cultural items under Accession Number 87-01 removed
from CA-SON-0000 (Timber Cove Inn), near Timber Cove in Sonoma County,
California have been requested for repatriation. The unassociated
funerary objects are flaked stone tools and debitage. Sonoma State
University acquired the cultural items in 1987 from a Sonoma State
University-led archaeological project. The cultural items have remained
at Sonoma State University since being accessioned under 87-01.
Based on records concerning the unassociated funerary objects and
the institution in which they are housed, there is no evidence of the
unassociated funerary objects being treated with hazardous substances.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 920 unassociated funerary objects described in this
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American
[[Page 12346]]
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe
or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural
items described in this notice and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of
the Stewarts Point Rancheria, California.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after April 16, 2025. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Sonoma State University must determine
the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for
joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single
request and not competing requests. The Sonoma State University is
responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and
Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any
other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: January 28, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-04171 Filed 3-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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