[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 68463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27145]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-17071; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, Cleveland, TN

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, 
Cherokee National Forest, has completed an inventory of human remains, 
in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation 
between the human remains and present-day Indian tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any 
Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 
should submit a written request to the USDA Forest Service, Cherokee 
National Forest. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of 
control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, 
or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to the USDA 
Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest at the address in this notice 
by December 17, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Mr. JaSal Morris, Forest Supervisor, Supervisor's Office, 
USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, 2800 Ocoee Street N., 
Cleveland, TN 37312, telephone (423) 476-9700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains under 
the control of the USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, 
Cleveland, TN. The human remains were removed from the Jackson Farm 
site (40WG17), also known as the Plum Grove site, in Washington County, 
TN.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the USDA 
Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern 
Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians in Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1977 and 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, eight 
individuals were removed from 20 burial units at the Jackson Farm site 
(40Wg17) in Washington County, TN, by the Forest Service archeologist 
Dr. Howard Earnest. The burials were extensively disturbed through 
massive sheet erosion of the site from flooding of the Nolichucky River 
in the fall of 1977. The human remains removed by Dr. Earnest have been 
curated by Western Carolina University since excavation. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present. Unassociated funerary objects were removed by Dr. Earnest and 
are a part of a separate Notice of Intent to Repatriate.
    In 1986, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from three burial units at the Jackson Farm site (40Wg17) 
in Washington County, TN, by Dr. Cliff Boyd of Radford University. The 
human remains were disturbed by excavation performed by the Washington 
County, TN, Highway Department. The human remains removed by Dr. Boyd 
have been curated by Western Carolina University since excavation. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on the location of the Jackson Farm site, it is reasonable to 
assume a relationship of shared group identity between these human 
remains and the Cherokee people, currently represented by the Cherokee 
Nation; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah 
Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the USDA Forest Service Cherokee National Forest

    Officials of the USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest have 
determined that:
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 10 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of 
Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in 
Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Mr. JaSal 
Morris, Forest Supervisor, Supervisor's Office, USDA Forest Service, 
Cherokee National Forest, 2800 Ocoee Street N., Cleveland, TN 37312, 
telephone (423) 476-9700, by December 17, 2014. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains to the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma 
may proceed.
    The USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest is responsible 
for notifying the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: October 29, 2014.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-27145 Filed 11-14-14; 8:45 am]
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