Notices. Notice
716 words·~3 min read·
/register/2026/01/16/2026-00868·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [N6879; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041867; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Intended Repatriation: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the California State University, Sacramento intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects 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 February 17, 2026. ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Dr. Mark R. Wheeler, Senior Advisor to President Luke Wood, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819, email *mark.wheeler@csus.edu.* 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 California State University, Sacramento, and additional information 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 72 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 72 unassociated funerary objects include modified stones and shells; unmodified stones; quartz crystals; faunal remains; charcoal pieces; soil/ash samples; and historic materials.
The unassociated funerary objects were removed from several sites in western El Dorado County, CA, including CA-ELD-32 (acc. 81-362), CA-ELD-33 (acc. 81-CSUS-025), CA-ELD-35 (acc. 81-349), CA-ELD-433 (acc. 81-119), CA-ELD-447 (acc. 81-119), CA-ELD-450 (acc. 81-119), CA-ELD-Crystal Cosumnes Cave (acc. 81-CSUS-358), CA-ELD-1569 (acc. 81-193), CA-ELD-1828 (acc. 81-132), CA-ELD-Scott Creek (81-CSUS- 313), CA-ELD-Garden Bar (acc. 81-69), and CA-ELD-Unknown (acc. 81-119, and 1974-31).
The unassociated funerary objects primarily originate from California State University, Sacramento excavations and survey projects in the 1950s-1980s. An unknown number of unidentified cultural items may be missing from the collections, which may include other categories of items. The University is unaware of any treatment of the objects of cultural patrimony with pesticides, preservatives, or other substances that represent a potential hazard to the objects or to persons handling the objects.
Determinations The California State University, Sacramento has determined that: • The 72 unassociated funerary objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. • There is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria (Verona Tract), 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 February 17, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the California State University, Sacramento 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 California State University, Sacramento 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: January 9, 2026. Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2026-00868 Filed 1-15-26; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 1
Traces to 1 document
1 reference not yet in our index
- 43 CFR 10.9
Citation graph
cites case law
Cites 2Cited by 0 across 0 sources