Notice2026-06822
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Washington, DC
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
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 Ventura County 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
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 17990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06822]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7064; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042560; 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Ventura County 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 John O'Connor, Ph.D., RPA, Cultural Resources
Manager, Naval Base Ventura County, 311 Main Road, Building 632, Point
Mugu, CA 93042, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a00050204441e440509050404051852524409031c2a1f1944040b1c1344070306"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6ccc9cec888d288c9c5c9c8c8c9d49e9e88c5cfd0e6d3d588c8c7d0df88cbcfca">[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
Department of the Navy, Naval Base Ventura County, 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, three 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 78 individuals have been
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. A total of six
individuals were removed from San Nicolas Island, California by an
unknown individual at an unknown date and in 1956 they were transferred
to Dr. Theodore Kazamiroff of the New York University College of
Dentistry. A total of 12 individuals were removed from San Nicolas
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. The remaining 60
individuals were removed from San Clemente Island, California in 1921-
1922 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. There are no records at the New York University College of
Dentistry indicating 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 Ventura County has
determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 81 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
Ventura County 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 Ventura County 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. 2026-06822 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 9, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.