Notice2026-06827
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
April 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 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 91 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17995-17996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06827]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7078; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042565; 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), 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 May 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Kirsten Twork, Sonoma State
University, 1801 E Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5327243c21383813203c3d3c3e327d363726"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6a2a1b9a4bdbd96a5b9b8b9bbb7f8b3b2a3">[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 Sonoma
State University, and additional information
[[Page 17996]]
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 79,001 cultural items have been requested for
repatriation.
A total of two lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-945 and CA-LAK-946 near Lakeport, Lake County California.
The cultural items were removed from the sites during the Big Valley
Village Survey. The items are flaked stone tools. The cultural items
have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1978.
A total of 29 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-803, CA-LAK-805H, CA-LAK-806 and CA-LAK-807 near Soda Bay,
Lake County California. The cultural items were removed from the sites
during the Clear Lake Shoreline Survey. The items are ground stone
tools and stone lithic samples. The cultural items have been housed at
Sonoma State University since 1977.
A total of 32 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-810, CA-LAK-812, CA-LAK-813 and the Long Tule site near
Lakeport, Lake County California. The cultural items were removed from
the sites during the Clear Lake Shoreline Survey. The items are ground
stone tools, stone lithic samples, flaked stone tools, historic period
items, unmodified shell, and debitage. The cultural items have been
housed at Sonoma State University since 1977.
A total of 923 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-950H near Soda Bay, Lake County California. The cultural
items were removed from the site during the Cole Creek Bridge
replacement. The items are ground stone tools, flaked stone tools,
historic period items, unmodified faunal bone, unmodified shell, and
debitage. The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State
University since 2011.
A total of 77 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-53, CA-LAK-121, and CA-LAK-216H near Lakeport, Lake County
California. The cultural items were removed from the sites during a
Lake County cultural resource survey. The items are flaked stone tools,
unmodified faunal bone, unmodified shell, and debitage. The cultural
items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1973.
A total of 8,844 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-215 near Lakeport, Lake County California. The cultural
items were removed from the site during the Lakeport Test Excavation.
The items are ground stone tools, flaked stone tools, historic period
items, modified faunal bone, unmodified faunal bone, unmodified shell,
and debitage. The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State
University since 1989.
A total of 154 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-205, CA-LAK-206, and CA-LAK-946 near Finley, Lake County
California. The cultural items were removed from the site during the
South Lake Shore Community Sewer Project. The items are ground stone
tools, flaked stone tools, historic period items, modified faunal bone,
unmodified faunal bone, modified shell, unmodified shell, and debitage.
The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since
1984.
A total of 68,930 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were
removed from CA-LAK-48 southeast of Kelseyville, Lake County
California. The cultural items were removed from the site during the
South Lake Shore Community Sewer Project. The items are ground stone
tools, flaked stone tools, historic period items, modified faunal bone,
unmodified faunal bone, modified shell, unmodified shell, botanical
samples, and debitage. The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma
State University since 1984.
A total of three lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-47 near Lakeport, Lake County California. The cultural
items were removed from the sites during a cultural resource survey.
The items are flaked stone tools, debitage, and historic material. The
cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1978.
A total of seven lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-LAK-1128 near Kelseyville, Lake County California. The cultural
items were removed from the sites during the Union Oil Kelsey Creek
project. The items are flaked stone tools and debitage. The cultural
items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1983.
In the case of missing cultural items, any additional 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.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 79,001 lots of 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 Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big
Valley Rancheria, 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 May 11, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, 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: April 1, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-06827 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 9, 2026.
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