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 Caltrans, 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 seven lots of cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The seven lots are represented by 22 catalog entries consisting of sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony: one lots of shell, one lots of chipped stone, two lots of soil samples, one lot of tools, one lot of lithics, and one lot ( printed page 48414) of post-contact items. This shall also include any objects currently listed as missing but found at a later date or uncatalogued objects found at a later date belonging to the collections, which are housed at San Diego State University (SDSU).

A total of three lots consisting of 13 catalog entries were removed from CA-SDI-4627, which is located on the Northwest side of Soledad Valley, 2.5 km of Pacific Ocean, San Diego County, California. The collection is a result of a 1985 excavation in support of a highway widening project and was accessioned at SDSU under Caltrans control as SDSU-0187.

A total of four lots consisting of nine catalog entries were removed from CA-SDI-4783, which is located east of intersection of State Route 94 and Avocado Street, San Diego County, California. The collection is a result of a 1979 excavation in support of a highway intersection project and was accessioned at SDSU under Caltrans control as SDSU-0190.

There are no known/documented potentially hazardous substances used to treat any of the cultural items.

Determinations

Caltrans has determined that:

• The seven lots sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice are, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
• There is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Campo Indian Reservation, California; Capitan Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California (Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Barona Reservation, California; Viejas (Baron Long) Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Viejas Reservation, California); Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians (previously listed as Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, California); Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, California; Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation, California; Jamul Indian Village of California; La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the La Posta Indian Reservation, California; Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Manzanita Reservation, California; Mesa Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Mesa Grande Reservation, California; San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California; and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

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 August 31, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Caltrans 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. Caltrans 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.

91 FR 48413