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 superintendent, CANA, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or related records.

Abstract of Information Available

Based on the information available, human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been reasonably identified. The four associated funerary objects are three lithic fragments and one ceramic vessel fragment. On June 12, 2022, human remains which were removed from the park in the 1970s during road construction in front of the Apollo Visitor Center were returned to the park by a park visitor. The location was originally believed to be a naturally occurring sand dune but has since been reassessed as a Sand Burial Mound. No hazardous substances have been used to treat the human remains.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

CANA has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The four objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a reasonable connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

2. 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 human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after July 12, 2024. If competing requests for repatriation are received, CANA must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. CANA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

89 FR 49900