Notice2025-23158

Notice of Inventory Completion: David A. Fredrickson Archaeological Collections Facility at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Primary source

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Published
December 18, 2025

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sonoma State University has completed an inventory of associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59185-59186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23158]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N6712; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041454; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: David A. Fredrickson 
Archaeological Collections Facility at 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 has completed an 
inventory of associated funerary objects and has determined that there 
is a cultural affiliation between the associated funerary objects and 
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the associated funerary objects in this notice 
may occur on or after January 20, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the associated 
funerary objects 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#482d24213b2d662f3a2d2d26083b2726272529662d2c3d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6c3cacfd5c388c1d4c3c3c8e6d5c9c8c9cbc788c3c2d3">[email&#160;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 inventory or related records. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    Based on the information available, 773 lots of associated funerary 
objects have been identified from sites located in Bodega Bay, Sonoma 
County California.
    Based on the information available, 241 lots of associated funerary 
items were removed from CA-SON-292. In 1992, human remains from 
archaeological sites CA-SON-292 were repatriated under California 
Public Resources Code Sec.  5097.94 through the Native American 
Heritage Commission to the Most Likely Descendants of Coast Miwok and 
Southern Pomo in Marin and Sonoma Counties, California. This notice 
accounts for the additional associated funerary objects. The cultural 
items were removed from their location in 1968 by Western Heritage Inc. 
and Dr. David A. Fredrickson. The associated funerary items include 
modified stone, unmodified stone, modified faunal, unmodified faunal, 
modified shell, unmodified shell, ground stone tools, historic 
material, charcoal. The items have been housed at Sonoma State 
University since 1968.
    Based on the information available, two lots of associated funerary 
items were removed from CA-SON-294. CA-SON-294 was excavated in 1968 by 
Western Heritage Inc. and Dr. David A. Fredrickson. The associated 
funerary items include historic material. The items have been housed at 
Sonoma State University since 1968.
    Based on the information available, 109 lots of associated funerary 
items were removed from CA-SON-324. CA-SON-324 was excavated in 1968 by 
Western Heritage Inc. and Dr. David A. Fredrickson. The cultural items 
include modified stone, unmodified stone, modified faunal, unmodified 
faunal, modified shell, unmodified shell, ground stone tools, historic 
material. The items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 
1968.
    Based on the information available, 414 lots of associated funerary 
items were removed from CA-SON-300. The cultural items were removed 
from their location during the Bodega Bay test excavation in 1976 and 
have been housed at Sonoma State University since. The cultural items 
include modified stone, unmodified stone, unmodified faunal, unmodified 
shell, ground stone tools, historic material, charcoal, botanical 
material.
    Based on the information available, seven lots of associated 
funerary items were removed from CA-SON-1099. The cultural items were 
removed from their location during the Filippa Property Survey in 1978 
contracted by the Sonoma County Planning Department and have been 
housed at Sonoma State University since. The cultural items include 
modified stone and unmodified stone. At the time of the inventory 
verification these items were not physically located Sonoma State will 
continue to look for these items with the intent of repatriation.
    In the case of missing cultural items, all items when located will 
also be repatriated from the collections discussed above. Based on 
records concerning the cultural items and the institution in which they 
are housed, there is no evidence of the items being treated with 
hazardous substances

Cultural Affiliation

    Based on the information available and the results of consultation, 
cultural affiliation is identified clearly by information available, 
including oral traditional, geographical, and biological information 
described in this notice and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, 
California.

Determinations

    The Sonoma State University has determined that:
    <bullet> The 773 objects described in this notice are reasonably 
believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual 
human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite 
or ceremony.
    <bullet> There is a reasonable connection between the associated 
funerary objects described in this notice and the Federated Indians of 
Graton Rancheria, California.

Requests for Repatriation

    Written requests for repatriation of the associated funerary 
objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative 
identified in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation 
may be submitted by:
    1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations identified in this notice.
    2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows,

[[Page 59186]]

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 associated funerary objects in this notice to a 
requestor may occur on or after January 20, 2026. 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 associated funerary objects 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.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

    Dated: November 25, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-23158 Filed 12-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on December 18, 2025.

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