Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA and University of California, Santa Barbara, Repository of Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections, Santa Barbara, CA, 5855-5857 [E9-2117]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 20 / Monday, February 2, 2009 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Santa Fe, NM and Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES ACTION: 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 in the control of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest, Santa Fe, NM, and in the possession of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. The human remains were removed from site BJ 74 (LA 38962), Sandoval County, NM. 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. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Santa Fe National Forest and the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico. Between 1939 and 1949, human remains representing a minimum of seven individuals were removed from BJ 74 (LA 38962) in Sandoval County, NM, during legally authorized excavations undertaken by the University of New Mexico’s Archaeological Field School. Subsequent to the excavations, the human remains and other archeological materials were removed without notification to the Forest Service to Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, for analysis and preparation of a site excavation report. In the summer of 2007, Grinnell College had the human remains and artifacts delivered to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, who promptly notified the Forest Service of the existence of the collection. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Site BJ 74 (LA 38962) has been identified as an early historic Puebloan habitation site based on ceramics, architecture, and site organization. The VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:03 Jan 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 site was occupied during the mid–16th century to the late 17th century A.D. Continuities of ethnographic materials, technologies, and architecture indicate the affiliation of this site with the present-day Pueblo of Jemez. Oral traditions of the Pueblo of Jemez support affiliation with early historic Puebloan sites in this area of northcentral New Mexico. Officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of seven individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest have determined that, 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 the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. Frank E. Wozniak, NAGPRA Coordinator, Southwestern Region, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, telephone (505) 842–3238, before March 4, 2009. Repatriation of the human remains to the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Santa Fe National Forest is responsible for notifying the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico that this notice has been published. Dated: January 5, 2009 Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. E9–2143 Filed 1–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA and University of California, Santa Barbara, Repository of Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections, Santa Barbara, CA National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5855 (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and an associated funerary object in the control of the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, and in the physical custody of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections, Santa Barbara, CA. The human remains and associated funerary object were removed from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA. 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 object. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made for the Vandenberg Air Force Base through a contracting Physical Anthropologist with the Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, and in consultation with representatives of the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California. In the early 1970s, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were collected from the surface of CA–SBA–209, located near Point Arguello on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by L. Spanne, as part of Air Force commissioned archeological reconnaissance work. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. A single radiocarbon date (7890 BP) from site CA–SBA–209, dates the human remains to within the Early Period. In the 1970s, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals were collected from the surface of CA–SBA–734, located in the Casmalia Hills in the northern part of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by L. Spanne and crew, during Air Force commissioned work. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Based on the excavated artifacts from the site, but that are not associated funerary objects, CA–SBA–734 has been dated to the Middle Period (A.D. 700– 900). In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were excavated from CA–SBA–210, located on the south side of Point Arguello on E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1 dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES 5856 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 20 / Monday, February 2, 2009 / Notices Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract to the Air Force. No primary burials were identified in the field; instead the human remains were identified during the examination of faunal material in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Although site CA–SBA–210 was occupied during all major time periods, the presence of glass trade beads indicates its occupation after European contact (post–A.D. 1500). Between 1969–1973, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were collected from the surface of CA–SBA–210, located on the south side of Point Arguello on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by L. Spanne, as part of Air Force commissioned archeological reconnaissance work. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Artifactual evidence indicates that site CA–SBA–210 was occupied throughout Santa Barbara prehistory and into the Mission Period. The age of the human remains is not clear. In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals were excavated from CA–SBA–539, located on the south side of Honda Canyon on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; instead the human remains were identified during the examination of faunal materials in the laboratory. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Radiocarbon dates from site CA-SBA– 539 indicate a Middle Period occupation from 930–560 B.C. In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were excavated from CA–SBA–551, located just north of Point Arguello on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; instead the human remains were identified during the examination of faunal material in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Radiocarbon dates from site CA–SBA– 551 indicate a date of occupation from 250 B.C.–A.D. 1260 (Middle to Late Periods). In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were excavated from CA–SBA–552, located VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:03 Jan 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 on the east bank of Agua Vina Creek on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; instead human remains were identified during the examination of faunal materials in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Radiocarbon dates for site CA–SBA– 552 suggest an early date of 5600–5150 B.C. In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual were excavated from CA–SBA–931, located near the coast northeast of Surf Railroad Station on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; instead human remains were identified during the examination of faunal material in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Radiocarbon dates from site CA–SBA– 931 indicate the presence of two temporally distinct occupations (8860– 9220 BP and 2460–2300 BP). In 1987, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals were removed from CA–SBA–225, located on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA. No known individuals were identified. The one associated funerary object is an Olivella shell bead. In December 2006, Vandenberg Air Force professional staff conducted an inspection of its archeological collection that is curated at the Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections, University of California, Santa Barbara. The human remains described in this notice were removed from archeological sites located on Vandenberg Air Force Base during excavations and recoveries conducted between 1969 and 1987. In 2007, Vandenberg Air Force contracted with a Physical Anthropologist from the University of California, Santa Barbara to conduct osteological tests and inventory human remains at the Repository. Tests proved that the human remains were Native American. In 2008, the associated funerary object described in this notice was identified. Additional Native American human remains and associated funerary objects removed from Vandenberg Air Force Base between 1991 and 1994, and curated at the Repository have been described in a Notice of Intended Disposition published in 2008. PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Consultation evidence from representatives of the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California, supports the determination of the human remains as Native American, and that the removals were from sites that are known Chumash cultural sites predating contact with the Spanish. Also consistent with pre-contact Chumash burials are the associated funerary object described in this notice, and the others removed during the 1991–1994 excavations. Based on archeological, osteological, and consultation evidence, officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base have reasonably determined the human remains to have a shared group relationship with the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California. Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of 13 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the one object described above 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. Lastly, officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base have determined that, 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 the associated funerary object and the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary object should contact Beth McWaters-Bjorkman, 30 CES/CEVNC, 1028 Iceland Ave., Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437– 6010, telephone (805) 606–0533, before March 4, 2009. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary object to the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The Vandenberg Air Force Base is responsible for notifying the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California that this notice has been published. E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 20 / Monday, February 2, 2009 / Notices Dated: December 31, 2008 Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. E9–2117 Filed 1–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES ACTION: 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 in the possession of Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from the Susquehanna Valley, Delaware County, NY. 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. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Binghamton University, State University of New York professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Oneida Nation of New York; Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York (formerly the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York); and Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, a non-Federally recognized Indian group. In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals were removed from the vicinity of the Sidney Airport site (SUBi–094) in Delaware County, NY. The human remains were uncovered during construction of the Interstate–88 highway. An individual, named Robert Dann (possibly a construction worker), gave the human remains to archeologists who were working nearby at the Sidney Airport site. No known individuals were identified. The 50 associated funerary objects are 45 pottery sherds (FS 377– 01), 3 hammerstones (FS 377–03), 1 VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:03 Jan 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 pitted stone (FS 377–04), and 1 worked stone (FS 377–08). The artifacts are determined to be associated funerary objects based on museum records. A note in the files of the Public Archaeology Facility states that these artifacts were from the burial pit, supporting a determination that the human remains are Native American. The pottery is culturally unidentifiable, although classified as Owasco Herringbone, Kelso Corded, Castle Creek Incised, Castle Creek Beaded, and Oak Hill Corded (A.D. 1100–1450). Based on the pottery, the officials of Binghamton University cannot demonstrate that the people represented in this collection had a shared cultural identity with the Mohawk or any other present-day Indian Tribe. However, there is probably a general relationship to early regional groups, some of whom later became known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a non-Federally recognized Indian group. Officials of Binghamton University have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of Binghamton University also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 50 objects described above are 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. Lastly, officials of Binghamton University have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribe. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee (Review Committee) is responsible for recommending specific actions for disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains. On August 3, 2007, the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe submitted a request to Binghamton University for disposition of the culturally unidentifiable human remains and associated funerary objects from the Sidney Airport site. The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have stated that they have a responsibility for caring for the human remains of any Native American ancestors buried within their historical aboriginal territory. On September 19, 2007, Binghamton University petitioned the Review Committee concerning the Mohawk’s request for disposition of the PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5857 individuals and associated funerary objects determined to be ‘‘culturally unidentifiable.’’ Included in the petition were letters of concurrence from the Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Oneida Nation of New York; and Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. The Review Committee considered the request at its October 15–16, 2007 meeting and recommended disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York, as the aboriginal occupant of the area encompassing the Sidney Airport site. A November 28, 2007 letter on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior from the Designated Federal Official, transmitted the authorization for the university to effect disposition of the culturally unidentifiable individuals to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York contingent on the publication of a Notice of Inventory Completion in the Federal Register. This notice fulfills that requirement. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and/ or associated funerary objects should contact Nina M. Versaggi, Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902– 6000, telephone (607) 777–4786, before March 4, 2009. Repatriation of the human remains and/or associated funerary objects to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York, on behalf of themselves and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, a non-Federally recognized Indian group, may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Binghamton University is responsible for notifying the Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Oneida Nation of New York; Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York; and Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, a non-Federally recognized Indian group that this notice has been published. Dated: December 18, 2008 Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. E9–2118 Filed 1–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion: Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM National Park Service, Interior. 02FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 20 (Monday, February 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5855-5857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2117]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Air 
Force, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA and University of California, 
Santa Barbara, Repository of Archaeological and Ethnographic 
Collections, Santa Barbara, CA

AGENCY:  National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:  Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 an associated funerary 
object in the control of the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, 
Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, and in the physical custody of the 
University of California, Santa Barbara, Repository for Archaeological 
and Ethnographic Collections, Santa Barbara, CA. The human remains and 
associated funerary object were removed from the Vandenberg Air Force 
Base, Santa Barbara County, CA.
    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 object. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made for the 
Vandenberg Air Force Base through a contracting Physical Anthropologist 
with the Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa 
Barbara, and in consultation with representatives of the Santa Ynez 
Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California.
    In the early 1970s, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were collected from the surface of CA-SBA-209, located near 
Point Arguello on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, 
by L. Spanne, as part of Air Force commissioned archeological 
reconnaissance work. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    A single radiocarbon date (7890 BP) from site CA-SBA-209, dates the 
human remains to within the Early Period.
    In the 1970s, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were collected from the surface of CA-SBA-734, located in 
the Casmalia Hills in the northern part of Vandenberg Air Force Base, 
Santa Barbara County, CA, by L. Spanne and crew, during Air Force 
commissioned work. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on the excavated artifacts from the site, but that are not 
associated funerary objects, CA-SBA-734 has been dated to the Middle 
Period (A.D. 700-900).
    In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were excavated from CA-SBA-210, located on the south side of Point 
Arguello on

[[Page 5856]]

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, 
University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract to the Air 
Force. No primary burials were identified in the field; instead the 
human remains were identified during the examination of faunal material 
in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Although site CA-SBA-210 was occupied during all major time 
periods, the presence of glass trade beads indicates its occupation 
after European contact (post-A.D. 1500).
    Between 1969-1973, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were collected from the surface of CA-SBA-210, located on 
the south side of Point Arguello on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa 
Barbara County, CA, by L. Spanne, as part of Air Force commissioned 
archeological reconnaissance work. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Artifactual evidence indicates that site CA-SBA-210 was occupied 
throughout Santa Barbara prehistory and into the Mission Period. The 
age of the human remains is not clear.
    In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were excavated from CA-SBA-539, located on the south side of Honda 
Canyon on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. 
Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with 
the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; 
instead the human remains were identified during the examination of 
faunal materials in the laboratory. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Radiocarbon dates from site CA-SBA-539 indicate a Middle Period 
occupation from 930-560 B.C.
    In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were excavated from CA-SBA-551, located just north of Point Arguello on 
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. Glassow, 
University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with the Air 
Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; instead the 
human remains were identified during the examination of faunal material 
in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Radiocarbon dates from site CA-SBA-551 indicate a date of 
occupation from 250 B.C.-A.D. 1260 (Middle to Late Periods).
    In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were excavated from CA-SBA-552, located on the east bank of Agua Vina 
Creek on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, CA, by M. 
Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, under contract with 
the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified in the field; 
instead human remains were identified during the examination of faunal 
materials in the laboratory. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Radiocarbon dates for site CA-SBA-552 suggest an early date of 
5600-5150 B.C.
    In 1974, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were excavated from CA-SBA-931, located near the coast northeast of 
Surf Railroad Station on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara 
County, CA, by M. Glassow, University of California, Santa Barbara, 
under contract with the Air Force. No discrete burials were identified 
in the field; instead human remains were identified during the 
examination of faunal material in the laboratory. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Radiocarbon dates from site CA-SBA-931 indicate the presence of two 
temporally distinct occupations (8860-9220 BP and 2460-2300 BP).
    In 1987, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from CA-SBA-225, located on Vandenberg Air Force Base, 
Santa Barbara County, CA. No known individuals were identified. The one 
associated funerary object is an Olivella shell bead.
    In December 2006, Vandenberg Air Force professional staff conducted 
an inspection of its archeological collection that is curated at the 
Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections, University 
of California, Santa Barbara. The human remains described in this 
notice were removed from archeological sites located on Vandenberg Air 
Force Base during excavations and recoveries conducted between 1969 and 
1987. In 2007, Vandenberg Air Force contracted with a Physical 
Anthropologist from the University of California, Santa Barbara to 
conduct osteological tests and inventory human remains at the 
Repository. Tests proved that the human remains were Native American. 
In 2008, the associated funerary object described in this notice was 
identified. Additional Native American human remains and associated 
funerary objects removed from Vandenberg Air Force Base between 1991 
and 1994, and curated at the Repository have been described in a Notice 
of Intended Disposition published in 2008.
    Consultation evidence from representatives of the Santa Ynez 
Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California, 
supports the determination of the human remains as Native American, and 
that the removals were from sites that are known Chumash cultural sites 
predating contact with the Spanish. Also consistent with pre-contact 
Chumash burials are the associated funerary object described in this 
notice, and the others removed during the 1991-1994 excavations. Based 
on archeological, osteological, and consultation evidence, officials at 
Vandenberg Air Force Base have reasonably determined the human remains 
to have a shared group relationship with the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission 
Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California.
    Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of 13 individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base also have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the one object described above 
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. Lastly, officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base have 
determined that, 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 the associated funerary 
object and the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez 
Reservation, California.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
object should contact Beth McWaters-Bjorkman, 30 CES/CEVNC, 1028 
Iceland Ave., Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437-6010, telephone (805) 
606-0533, before March 4, 2009. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary object to the Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of 
the Santa Ynez Reservation, California may proceed after that date if 
no additional claimants come forward.
    The Vandenberg Air Force Base is responsible for notifying the 
Santa Ynez Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, 
California that this notice has been published.


[[Page 5857]]


    Dated: December 31, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-2117 Filed 1-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S

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