83 FR 7767 - Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 36 (February 22, 2018)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region (Alaska Region USFWS) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, 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 and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7767-7768]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03636]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024983; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region (Alaska 
Region USFWS) has completed an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects, 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 and associated funerary objects should submit a 
written request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects 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 and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to the Alaska Region USFWS at the address in 
this notice by March 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Edward DeCleva, Regional Historic Preservation Officer, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 1011 East Tudor Road MS-235, 
Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-3399, email 
[email protected].

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 and 
associated funerary objects under the control of the Alaska Region 
USFWS, Anchorage, AK. The human remains and associated funerary objects 
were removed from multiple sites on Kodiak Island, AK.
    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 Alaska 
Region USFWS professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, acting as agent for 
the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor (previously listed as Native Village of 
Old Harbor and Village of Old Harbor); Kaguyak Village; Native Village 
of Afognak; Native Village of Akhiok; Native Village of Larsen Bay; 
Native Village of Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; Sun'aq Tribe 
of Kodiak (previously listed as the Shoonaq' Tribe of Kodiak); and 
Tangirnaq Native Village (formerly Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island)).

[[Page 7768]]

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1977 and 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 2 
individuals were removed from 49-KOD-171 on Chief Cove, Spiridon Bay on 
Kodiak Island, AK. Some of these human remains were identified as human 
in 1977, during faunal analysis and additional elements were identified 
during the 2010 review of unmodified faunal material. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, 7 individuals were 
removed from 49-KOD-172 on Chief Cove Island, Spiridon Bay, on Kodiak 
Island, AK. Some of these human remains were identified as human in 
1977 during faunal analysis and additional elements were identified 
during the 2010 review of unmodified faunal material. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, 3 individuals were 
removed from 49-KOD-221 along Uganik Passage on Kodiak Island, AK. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, 1 individual were 
removed from 49-KOD-223 on Uganik Island, in the Kodiak Island Borough, 
AK. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In 1977 or 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 5 
individuals were removed from 49-KOD-224 on the southwest side of 
Uganik Island, in the Kodiak Island Borough, AK. These human remains 
were probably removed during the 1978 archeological excavation lead by 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service archeologist Michael Nowak. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 1 individual were 
removed from 49-KOD-249 on the southwest side of Uganik Island, in the 
Kodiak Island Borough, AK. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 4 individuals were 
removed from 49-KOD-257 on the southwest coast of Uganik Island, in the 
Kodiak Island Borough, AK. No known individuals were identified. The 
one associated funerary object is a lot of shell, rock, and faunal 
remains.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 1 individual were 
removed from 49-KOD-260 on the northeast shore of East Arm Uganik Bay, 
in the Kodiak Island Borough, AK. No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, 1 individual were 
removed from 49-KOD-280 on the west shore of South Arm Uganik Bay, in 
the Kodiak Island Borough, AK. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains from the above sites were removed during an 
archeological survey led by Alaska Region USFWS archeologist Michael 
Nowak and were transferred to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, 
Museum of the North (UAMN). Portions of the collection were 
subsequently transferred to other institutions for study and curation. 
On October 28, 2016, the entire collection was once again consolidated 
at the UAMN.
    Stratigraphic observations, cultural materials, and carbon dates 
indicate that the sites contain deposits spanning at least 2,000 years, 
from both the Late Kachemak and Koniag traditions. Archeological data 
indicate that modern Alutiiq peoples evolved from these archeologically 
documented societies. As such, the human remains from the above sites 
are likely Native American and most closely culturally affiliated with 
the modern Kodiak Alutiiq people.

Determinations Made by the Alaska Region USFWS

    Officials of the Alaska Region USFWS have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 25 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 1 associated 
funerary object described in this notice is reasonably believed to have 
been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death 
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
     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 associated funerary objects and the Native 
Village of Larsen Bay.

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 and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Edward DeCleva, Regional Historic 
Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 
1011 East Tudor Road MS-235, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-
3399, email [email protected], by March 26, 2018. After that date, 
if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Native Village 
of Larsen Bay may proceed.
    The Alaska Region USFWS is responsible for notifying the Alutiiq 
Tribe of Old Harbor (previously listed as Native Village of Old Harbor 
and Village of Old Harbor), Kaguyak Village, Native Village of Afognak, 
Native Village of Akhiok, Native Village of Larsen Bay, Native Village 
of Ouzinkie, Native Village of Port Lions, Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak 
(previously listed as the Shoonaq' Tribe of Kodiak), Tangirnaq Native 
Village (formerly Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island)) that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: February 2, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-03636 Filed 2-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P