[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42261-42262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20634]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Prince William Sound, AK, in the Control of the Chugach National 
Forest, United States Forest Service, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003(d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Prince 
William Sound, AK, in the control of the Chugach National Forest, 
United States Forest

[[Page 42262]]

Service, Anchorage, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by U.S. Forest 
Service and National Museum of Denmark professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Chugach Heritage Foundation.
    In 1933, human remains representing 24 individuals were recovered 
from caves and village sites in the Chugach National Forest, Prince 
William Sound, AK, during legally authorized excavations by the 
University of Pennsylvania and the Danish National Museum, and sent 
back to the National Museum of Denmark the same year. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Historical documents, excavation records, and archeological 
evidence indicate these caves and village sites are precontact Chugach 
occupation and traditional burial areas based on the manner of 
internment and associated funerary objects. Oral traditions presented 
by representatives of the Chugach Heritage Foundation state that these 
areas are traditional burial grounds of the Chugach people since 
precontact times.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the United 
States Forest Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of 24 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
United States Forest Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which 
can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains 
and the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the Native Village of Eyak, and the 
Tatitlek I.R.A. Council.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Heritage 
Foundation, the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the Native Village of Eyak, 
and the Tatitlek I.R.A. Council. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Mr. Larry 
Hudson, Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest, U.S. Forest 
Service, Anchorage, AK; telephone: (907) 271-2500, before September 5, 
1997. Control of the human remains will be transferred to the Chugach 
Heritage Foundation on behalf of the Chenega Bay I.R.A. Council, the 
Native Village of Eyak, and the Tatitlek I.R.A. Council after that date 
if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 1, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist Deputy Manager, Archeology 
and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-20634 Filed 8-5-97 ; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F