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 Sonoma State University, 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

Human remains representing at least two individuals were requested for repatriation. The 717 lots of associated funerary objects are unmodified shell, unmodified flakes, modified flakes, historic material, unmodified faunal bone, and cobble stone tools. The individuals and associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-321 originating in Bodega Bay, California. The Ancestors and material was removed from the site due to a planned project to expand housing of the Bodega Bay Marine Lab. The material has been housed at SSU since 1989.

The 71 lots of associated funerary objects are flaked stone debitage, unmodified shell, and historic material. The associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-1526, CA-SON-1527, CA-SON-1528, CA-SON-1529, CA-SON-1530, and CA-SON-1531/H in Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, California. At the time of their removal no burials were identified. However, during an unrelated excavation at a later date burials were identified at CA-SON-1530. The material housed as Sonoma State University was removed from its location during an archaeological survey for a proposed sewerage system master plan for the South Wright Road Area. Since 1986 the cultural material has resided at Sonoma State University.

The 21 lots of associated funerary objects are flaked stone debitage and modified flaked stone tools. The associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-1776/H originating in Eldridge, California. The material was removed from the site during an archaeological review of the site at the request of the property owners in accordance with Sonoma County Department of Planning regarding adjustments to property lines. The material has been housed at SSU since 1989.

The 144 lots of associated funerary objects are flaked stone debitage, flaked stone tools, quartz crystals, groundstone tools, and unmodified faunal bone. The associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-1216 and CA-SON-1217 originating in El Verano, California. The material was removed from the sites during an archaeological review of the George Ranch. The material has been housed at SSU since 1982

The 732 lots of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-298/H in Bodega Bay, California in Sonoma County. The cultural material was removed during an archaeological investigation to determine the impact to the site that may occur during the installation of the proposed sewerage facilities on the Bodega Bay Public Utility District. The items include groundstone tools, modified stone tools, ( printed page 66731) flaked stone debitage, flotation samples, unmodified faunal, organic material, unmodified shell, modified shell, clay, quartz, and historics. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since 1985.

The 758 lots of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-40 in Kenwood, California in Sonoma County. The cultural material was removed during three different instances during the 1980s to 1990, all related to the construction of a winery. The items include groundstone tools, modified stone tools, flaked stone debitage, soil, unmodified faunal, modified faunal bone, organic material, unmodified shell, modified shell, quartz, and historics. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since they were removed from their location.

The 13 lots of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-113 in Glen Ellen, California in Sonoma County. The cultural material was removed during two different instances in 1978 and 2009. The portion of the material from 1978 was removed related to an archaeological survey for the Glen Ellen Wastewater Collection System and the 2009 portion was donated to the university by the land owner. The items include groundstone tools, modified stone tools, flaked stone debitage, and historics. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since they were brought to the university.

The three lots of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-24 in Santa Rosa, California in Sonoma County. The cultural material was removed during an archaeological survey of the Northern Sonoma Valley. The items include modified stone tools. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since 1984.

Human remains representing at least one individual were requested for repatriation. The 23 lots of associated funerary objects are unmodified shell, unmodified flakes, modified flakes, historic material, unmodified faunal bone, organics, and soil. The Ancestor and associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-326 originating in Bodega Bay, California. Information related to why the ancestor and material was removed from the site was not located. The material has been housed at SSU since 1974.

The one lot of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-302 in Bodega Bay, California in Sonoma County. Information related to why the material was removed from the site was not located.The items include modified stone tools. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since 1976.

The six lots of associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-306 in Bodega Bay, California in Sonoma County. The cultural material was removed during an archaeological survey related to housing development. The items include flaked stone debitage and quartz crystal. The cultural items have been at Sonoma State University since 1982.

The one lot of associated funerary objects are modified stone tools. The associated funerary objects were removed from CA-SON-338 originating in Salmon Creek, California. No information as to why the item was removed from the site was located at this time. The material has been housed at SSU since 1993.

The 110 lots of associated funerary objects include debitage, modified stone tools, modified shell, unmodified shell, and unmodified faunal bone. The cultural materials were removed from CA-SON-659 in Sereno del Mar, California in Sonoma county. The material was removed from the sites during an archaeological survey. The cultural material has been housed at SSU since 1975.

In the case of missing cultural items, all items when located will also be repatriated from the collections discussed above. Based on records concerning the ancestors and cultural items and the institution in which they are housed, there is no evidence of the items being treated with hazardous substances.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

Sonoma State University has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 2,600 lots of 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 the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, California.

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 an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after November 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Sonoma State University 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. Sonoma State University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

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

91 FR 66730