Notice2025-16115
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 41109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16115]
[[Page 41109]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6456; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040878; 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#aacdd8cfcfc4cfc6c3ead9c5c4c5c7cb84cfcedf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25425740404b40494c65564a4b4a48440b404150">[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 39 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The 39 of objects of cultural patrimony are flaked stone tools,
modified shell, shell beads, ground stone tools, debitage, and
historic-period items. Based on records concerning the cultural items
and the institution in which they were housed, there is no evidence of
the 39 of cultural items being treated with hazardous substances.
A total of 17 of the items were removed from CA-LAK-142 near Witter
Springs in Lake County, CA. There is a lack of clear information
available for this collection. A form filled out by John Parker dating
09/10/1973 notes that the items were removed during a surface survey
filed under ``Clear Lake Surveys (John Parker)''. This report has not
been relocated in any ASC files (hardcopy or digital). Items have been
curated at Sonoma State University under the accession number 73-07.
A total of six of the items were removed from CA-LAK-0826/H in Lake
County, CA. Two of the items were removed from CA-LAK-0835/H in Lake
County, CA. Six of the items were removed from CA-LAK-0932/H in Lake
County, CA. Two of the items were removed from CA-LAK- 0933/H in Lake
County, CA. Two of the items were removed from CA-LAK-0934/H in Lake
County, CA. Two items were removed from CA-LAK-0935 in Lake County, CA.
The last two of the items were removed from CA-LAK-0936/H in Lake
County, CA. These sites are all located within the census designated
place (CDP) of Upper Lake. The items are affiliated with archaeological
work carried in 1977 out by Upper Lake Wastewater System.
However, the report from this survey does not mention collection at
any of these sites during this project, so exact collection history
cannot be determined. Items have been curated at Sonoma State
University under the accession number 78-08.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 39 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 Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, 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. 2025-16115 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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