SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The ( printed page 40649) determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of Caltrans, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Associated funerary objects have been identified totaling 4,000 catalog entries representing lithics, faunal remains, shell, beads, and ground stone artifacts. Of the 4,000 associated funerary objects, 58 catalog numbers are missing. These nine collections are from Marin County along Highway 101 in San Rafael, Novato, and Petaluma and are housed at Sonoma State University (SSU). The collections are the result of Caltrans project-delivery related excavations at the following sites between 1998 and 2015: CA-MRN-000 (2014-06), CA-MRN-84 (2015-95), CA-MRN-85 (2015-96), CA-MRN-193/H (2019-70; 2012-11), CA-MRN-194 (2005-04), CA-MRN-197 (2005-7), CA-MRN-644/H (98-19), CA-MRN-711 (2015-97). There are no known/documented potentially hazardous substances used to treat any of the cultural items.

Cultural Affiliation

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

Determinations

Caltrans has determined that:

• The 4,000 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 connection between associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, California.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the 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 an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after September 19, 2025 If competing requests for repatriation are received, Caltrans must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. Caltrans 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.

90 FR 40648