Notice2025-16114
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 22, 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 objects of cultural patrimony 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 161 (Friday, August 22, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 161 (Friday, August 22, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 41116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16114]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6455; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040877; 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 objects
of cultural patrimony 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 September 22, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Elise-Alexandria Green, Sonoma State
University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddbaafb8b8b3b8b1b49daeb2b3b2b0bcf3b8b9a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8bfaabdbdb6bdb4b198abb7b6b7b5b9f6bdbcad">[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 total of 15 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
One lot of objects of cultural patrimony were taken from CA-SON-
1325 near Timber Cove, Sonoma County, CA. The cultural items are flaked
stone tools and debitage which were acquired through an archeological
investigation done in 1981 by the Anthropological Studies Center for
California Department of Forestry Survey, Gualala Ranch #2. The
cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1981
under Accession Number 81-01.
Two lots of objects of cultural patrimony were taken from CA-SON-
1335/H near Guerneville, Sonoma County, CA. The cultural items are
flaked stone tools and debitage; and historic-period material, which
were acquired through an archeological investigation done in 1981 by
the Anthropological Studies Center for the Cronkite/Klauenburch Survey.
The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since
1981 under Accession Number 81-01.
Four lots of objects of cultural patrimony were taken from CA-SON-
1829 near Sea Ranch, Sonoma County, CA. The cultural items are flaked
stone tools and debitage which were acquired through an archeological
investigation done in 2017 by the Anthropological Studies Center for
the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The cultural
items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 2017 under
Accession Number 2017-53.
Seven lots of objects of cultural patrimony were taken from CA-SON-
1827 near Cloverdale, Sonoma County, CA. The cultural items are flaked
stone tools and debitage. The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma
State University since 1990 under Accession Number 90-01.
One lot of objects of cultural patrimony were taken from CA-SON-
1893 near Cloverdale, Sonoma County, CA. The cultural items are
debitage which was acquired through an archeological investigation done
in 2017 by the Anthropological Studies Center for the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The cultural items have
been housed at Sonoma State University since 2017 under Accession
Number 2017-54.
Based on records concerning the objects of cultural patrimony and
the institution in which they are housed, there is no evidence of the
cultural items being treated with hazardous substances.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 15 objects of cultural patrimony described in this
notice have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance
central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-
group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other
subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a 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 September 22, 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: August 13, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-16114 Filed 8-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 22, 2025.
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