Notice2026-06821

Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Washington, DC

Primary source

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Published
April 9, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Base Coronado has completed an inventory of human remains 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 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17988-17989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06821]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7063; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042558; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, 
Department of the Navy, Washington, DC

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 U.S. Department of Defense, Department 
of the Navy, Naval Base Coronado has completed an inventory of human 
remains 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 May 11, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains 
in this notice to Richard G. Bark, Senior Region Archaeologist, 750 
Pacific Highway, Floor 12, San Diego, CA 92132, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e99b808a81889b8dc78ec78b889b82c78a809fa99c9ac787889f90c7848085"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0d2c9c3c8c1d2c48ec78ec2c1d2cb8ec3c9d6e0d5d38ecec1d6d98ecdc9cc">[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 
Department of the Navy, Naval Base Coronado, 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 four individuals have been 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Originally 
removed from San Nicolas Island, California on behalf of the Museum of 
the American Indian, Heye Foundation between 1900-1930s, the 
individuals were acquired by the Department of Anthropology, Columbia 
University at an unknown date. Columbia University donated the 
individuals to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve on January 22, 1970. 
There are no records that indicate any potentially hazardous substances 
were used to treat the human remains.
    Human remains representing at least 26 individuals have been 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. A total of two 
individuals were removed from San Clemente Island, California by an 
unknown individual at an unknown date and came into the collection of 
Mrs. E.L. Doran at a later unknown date. In 1917, the individuals were 
purchased from Mrs. E.L. Doran by A.E. Pace on behalf of the Museum of 
the American Indian, Heye Foundation. In 1956, the individuals were 
transferred to Dr. Theodore Kazamiroff of the New York University 
College of Dentistry. A total of two individuals were removed from San 
Clemente Island, California by an unknown individual at an unknown 
date, and were accessioned by the Museum of the American Indian, Heye 
Foundation at a later unknown date. In 1956, the individuals were 
transferred to Dr. Theodore Kazamiroff of the New York University 
College of Dentistry. The remaining 22 individuals were removed from 
San Clemente Island, California in 1923 by Ralph Glidden under 
sponsorship of the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. In 
1956, the individuals were transferred to Dr. Theodore Kazamiroff of 
the New York University College of Dentistry. Records from the New York 
University College of Dentistry indicate the crania

[[Page 17989]]

representing three individuals are covered in a shellac-like material; 
however, there are no other records that indicate any potentially 
hazardous substances were used to treat the human remains.

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 Department of the Navy, Naval Base Coronado has determined 
that:
    <bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the 
physical remains of 30 individuals of Native American ancestry.
    <bullet> There is a connection between the human remains described 
in this notice and the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, California; 
Pala Band of Mission Indians; Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of 
the Pauma & Yuima Reservation, California; Pechanga Band of Indians 
(previously listed as Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the 
Pechanga Reservation, California); Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians 
(previously listed as Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of Rincon 
Reservation, California); Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of 
the Santa Ynez Reservation, California; and the Soboba Band of Luiseno 
Indians, California.

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 May 11, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the Department of the Navy, Naval Base 
Coronado 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 Department 
of the Navy, Naval Base Coronado is responsible for sending a copy of 
this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations 
identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

    Dated: April 1, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-06821 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on April 9, 2026.

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