Notice2026-05295
Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
Primary source
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Published
March 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) has completed an inventory of human remains from site 40HR587, Hardin County, Tennessee, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 13054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05295]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7011; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042366; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
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 Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) has completed an
inventory of human remains from site 40HR587, Hardin County, Tennessee,
and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the
human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in
this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or
after April 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
in this notice to Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA), 1216 Foster
Avenue, Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e0e3637327016313a393b1e2a3070393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="22724a4b4e0c6a4d46454762564c0c454d54">[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
TDEC-DOA, and additional information on the determinations in this
notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its
inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been
identified. These remains were found on the shoreline of the Tennessee
River by a private individual and reported to the Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA) and local law enforcement. TVA determined the property
was not within their jurisdiction and TDEC-DOA was contacted by local
law enforcement for transfer and repatriation. The remains were
transferred to TDEC-DOA in November 2025.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical
location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this
notice.
Determinations
The TDEC-DOA has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of at least one individual of Native American
ancestry.
<bullet> There is a connection between the human remains described
in this notice and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee
Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians;
The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal
Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains 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, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with
cultural affiliation.
Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a
requestor may occur on or after April 17, 2026. If competing requests
for repatriation are received, the TDEC-DOA must determine the most
appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint
repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and
not competing requests. The TDEC-DOA 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: March 11, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-05295 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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