Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, Walla Walla, WA and Museum of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 36114-36117 [2010-15325]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36114-36117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15325]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Army 
Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, Walla Walla, WA and Museum of 
Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    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 control of the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of 
Engineers, Walla Walla District, Walla Walla, WA, and in the physical 
custody of the Museum of Anthropology, Washington State University, 
Pullman, WA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties, WA.
    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 U.S. 
Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of Confederated Tribes of the 
Colville Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla 
Indian Reservation, Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs 
Reservation of Oregon; Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama 
Nation, Washington; Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho; and the Wanapum Band, a 
non-federally recognized Indian group.
    In 1965, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the village portion of site 45CO1 near the mouth of 
the Tucannon River, Columbia County, WA. The excavation was conducted 
on Army Corps of Engineers land under contract with the National Park 
Service. No burials were reported during the excavations. In 1996, 
Washington State University unexpectedly encountered human remains in 
level bags containing unprovenienced materials collected from the 
surface of site 45CO1. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    This individual was determined to be Native American based on 
significant tooth wear and the types of artifacts removed during the 
excavation, including projectile points, scrapers, antler tine tools, 
utilized flakes, and awls, which are tool types common in the Plateau 
culture area. Site 45CO1 is adjacent to Cayuse, Nez Perce, and Palus 
Indian lands judicially established in 1978.
    In 1958 and 1959, human remains representing a minimum of 14 
individuals were removed from Fishhook Island Site, 45FR42, Franklin 
County, WA. In 1958, the Columbia Archaeological Society excavated at 
Fishhook Island. In 1959, the Washington State University excavated at 
Fishhook Island while under contract with the National Park Service. 
The 1958 and 1959 excavations took place before the land was acquired 
by the Army Corps of Engineers. At an unknown date, the human remains 
excavated were delivered to Washington State University and University 
of Idaho. In 2000, the University of Idaho transferred the 45FR42 
materials to Washington State University. In 2006, the Army Corps of 
Engineers' physical anthropologists inventoried the human remains. Some 
of the human remains collected are not currently in the museum 
collection, and may have been reburied in 1991. Burials numbers 1 
through 21 were consecutively assigned by the Columbia Archaeological 
Society to their burial excavations. Washington State University 
assigned burial numbers 1 through 24 to their burial excavations. The 
duplicate burial

[[Page 36115]]

numbers and scant records do not, in many instances, permit clear 
association of funerary objects with the burials removed. No known 
individuals were identified. The 351 associated funerary objects are 
102 counted objects and 249 lots of objects. The 102 counted objects 
are 9 adzes, 5 bifaces, 9 bone awls, 2 bone tool fragments, 3 bone 
wedges, 2 combs, 1 composite harpoon, 2 copper pendants, 13 cores, 1 
digging stick handle, 5 drills, 1 grooved cobble, 1 hafted beaver tooth 
chisel, 1 hammerstone, 1 jadite club, 1 metal bracelet, 1 pestle, 2 
preforms, 32 projectile points, 4 scrapers, 2 cobble spalls, 2 stone 
abraders, 1 stone pendant, and 1 thimble. The 249 lots of objects are 4 
lots of animal hair, 17 lots of animal remains, 26 lots of bag residue, 
18 lots of modified bone fragments, 2 lots of charcoal, 1 lot of 
cordage, 7 lots of elk tooth beads, 2 lots of fabric remains, 1 lot of 
fire cracked rock, 81 lots of flakes, 8 lots of glass and metal beads, 
7 lots of juniper seed beads, 2 lots of leather fragments, 4 lots of 
matting, 5 lots of metal fragments, 2 lots of nails, 6 lots of plant 
remains, 4 lots of red ochre, 35 lots of shell beads, 4 lots of shell 
pendant fragments, 4 lots of shell remains, and 9 lots of wood 
fragments.
    The 45FR42 burials are estimated to range from the proto-historic/
historic time periods to the early 1920s. In the early 1900s, local 
residents witnessed Native American burial ceremonies held on Fishhook 
Island, and remember Cayuse, Walla Walla, Wallula, and Palus people in 
the general area during the late 1880s and early 1900s. Fishhook Island 
is located within the overlapping 19th century territories of the Palus 
and Walla Walla people.
    In 1959, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Klundt or Page Site, 45FR43, Franklin County, WA. 
Washington State University excavated three housepits at 45FR43 on Army 
Corps of Engineers project lands while under contract with the National 
Park Service. The resultant collection was curated at Washington State 
University, but was not formally reported. In 1992, Washington State 
University unexpectedly encountered human remains listed in collection 
records. In 2006, Army Corps of Engineers physical anthropologists 
inventoried the human remains. No known individuals were identified. 
The four associated funerary objects are one counted object and three 
lots of objects, which are one ceramic bead, one lot of fire cracked 
rock, one lot of charcoal, and one lot of bag residue.
    The human remains were associated with a prehistoric housepit 
village and Native American artifacts dating to the Harder Phase (2500 
BP to 1000 BP). Early and late ethnographic documentation indicates the 
present-day location of 45FR43 is within the overlapping 19th century 
territories of the Cayuse, Palus, and Walla Walla people.
    In 1959, 1960, or 1961, human remains representing a minimum of 
three individuals were removed from the Windust Caves Site, 45FR46, 
Franklin County, WA. Washington State University excavated in three of 
the nine caves in this complex while under contract with the National 
Park Service. A lined storage pit feature was encountered in Cave C, 
but no burials were reported during the excavations. Unknown collectors 
dug in Cave C between Washington State University's field seasons. In 
1997, Washington State University unexpectedly found human remains in 
an unsorted Cave C level bag containing material from a collector's 
back dirt pile. No known individuals were identified. The 84 associated 
funerary objects are 9 counted objects and 75 lots of objects. The nine 
counted objects are three bifaces, four cores, and two projectile 
points. The 75 lots of objects are 4 lots of animal remains, 9 lots of 
bag residue, 2 lots of bird remains, 1 lot of bullet cartridge 
fragments, 1 lot of can fragments, 4 lots of charcoal, 2 lots of 
cordage, 1 lot of fabric remains, 24 lots of flakes, 2 lots of glass 
fragments, 2 lots of metal fragments, 3 lots of modified wood, 1 lot of 
nails, 5 lots of paper fragments, 6 lots of plant remains, 4 lots of 
shell remains, and 4 lots of wood fragments.
    Information is limited making it impossible to determine the age of 
the remains. However, Native American materials and features associated 
with the late prehistoric period are present, including preserved 
Native American cordage and wood artifacts. Early and late ethnographic 
documentation indicates the present-day location of 45FR46 is within 
the overlapping 19th century territories of the Palus and Walla Walla 
people.
    In 1960, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Ford Island Site, 45FR47, Franklin County, WA. 
Washington State University excavated at 45FR47 while under contract 
with the Army Corps of Engineers. The remains were delivered to the 
University of Idaho and Washington State University and are thought to 
have been reburied before 1985. In 1992, a Washington State University 
inventory recorded the presence of Burial 6 materials in the 
collection. Between 1996 and 2000, the University of Idaho transferred 
materials to Washington State University. In 2003, the transferred 
materials were inventoried, and the presence of Burial 9 materials was 
recorded along with funerary objects from other 45FR47 burials. No 
known individuals were identified. The 168 associated funerary objects 
are 6 counted objects and 162 lots of objects. The six counted objects 
are one core, two unidentified ground stone items, one iron container, 
and two shell ornaments. The 162 lots of objects are 1 lot of animal 
remains, 10 lots of bag residue, 1 lot of buttons, 17 lots of fabric 
remains, 1 lot of feathers, 6 lots of flakes, 2 lots of leather 
fragments, 3 lots of metal beads, 2 lots of organic items, 1 lot of red 
ochre, 4 lots of shell beads, 98 lots of trade beads, 1 lot of 
unidentified glass items, 13 lots of unidentified metal items, and 2 
lots of wood fragments.
    The burials associated with the 45FR47 collection are Native 
American as demonstrated by the presence of Native American Plateau 
objects, Plateau burial patterns, and eyewitness accounts of Native 
Americans living on Ford Island in the 1900s. Dentalia shell beads 
start to be common in the Plateau archeological record about 3,000 
years ago. Glass beads became available to Indian groups from the 1780s 
through the 1810s. Early and late ethnographic documentation indicates 
the island is located within the overlapping 19th century territories 
of the Palus and Walla Walla people.
    In 1981, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Lyon's Fish Hatchery/Trestle City/Joso Site, 
45FR51, Franklin County, WA. The Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery Project was 
proposed for construction in the area of 45FR51 during the late 1970s. 
An archeological survey and test excavations were conducted prior to 
project initiation. No burials were reported during the archeological 
investigations; however, a canoe burial was unexpectedly encountered 
during hatchery construction. The burial was removed and delivered to 
the University of Idaho under contract with the Army Corps of 
Engineers. In 2000, the University of Idaho transferred the materials 
to Washington State University. No known individual was identified. The 
15 lots of associated funerary objects are 3 lots of animal remains, 1 
lot of fabric remains, 6 lots of leather fragments, 1 lot of metal 
fragments, 2 lots of plant remains, 1 lot of sediment, and 1 lot of 
shell remains.
    The use of canoes in a burial setting is consistent with the Native 
American Plateau cultural area. The age of the

[[Page 36116]]

burial is estimated to range from 1820 to 1850. Site 45FR51 is within 
judicially established Palus Indian land, and north of the judicially 
established Cayuse and Nez Perce Indian lands.
    In 1977, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from the Kelly Bar Site, 45GA37, Garfield County, WA. The 
remains were found within slumped sediments and appeared to lie within 
a redeposited Mt. Mazama ash layer. The human remains were removed by 
the University of Idaho under contract with the Army Corps of 
Engineers. Following removal, the remains were delivered to the 
University of Idaho. In 2000, the University of Idaho transferred the 
remains to Washington State University. In 2003, Washington State 
University inventoried the human remains of an adult and a child. There 
are no records regarding the collection of a second burial. These 
individuals were determined to be Native American based on artifacts 
observed at site 45GA37 which are common in the Plateau culture area. 
No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    In 1966, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from site 45GA53, Garfield County, WA. The human remains 
are unprovenienced and were collected from the surface of the site 
during the Lower Granite/Little Goose Survey and delivered to the 
University of Idaho prior to land acquisition by the Army Corps of 
Engineers. Between 1996 and 1998, the human remains were transferred to 
Washington State University. In 2006, Army Corps of Engineers physical 
anthropologists inventoried the remains. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The individual is determined to be Native American due to burial 
cairns and artifacts at 45GA53, which are consistent with the Plateau 
culture area. Site 45GA53 is adjacent to judicially established Nez 
Perce lands and within the overlapping 19th century territories of the 
Nez Perce and Palus people.
    In 1970, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed during excavation of Housepit 7, 45GA61, Garfield County, 
WA. The burials were removed from Army Corps of Engineers land by 
Washington State University while under contract with the National Park 
Service. Following removal, the burials were delivered to the 
University of Idaho and Washington State University. In 2000, the 
University of Idaho transferred human remains and funerary objects to 
Washington State University. No known individuals were identified. The 
eight associated funerary objects are one counted object and seven lots 
of objects, which are one piece of modified bone, four lots of flakes, 
one lot of red ochre, one lot of shell remains, and one lot of animal 
remains.
    The burials, the housepit, and the presence of Native American 
tools and materials are consistent with Plateau culture area customs 
and characteristics. Early and late ethnographic documentation 
indicates that the present-day locations are within overlapping 19th 
century territories of the Palus and Nez Perce people.
    In 1981, 1982 or 1989, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from beach lag deposits at the Riparia Site, 
45WT1, Whitman County, WA. The partial remains were removed by 
Washington State University while under contract with the Army Corps of 
Engineers. Following removal, the human remains were delivered to 
Washington State University. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    The archeological assemblage associated with the 45WT1 beach lag 
deposits is consistent with the Native American Plateau culture area. 
The Riparia Site is located within the 19th century Palus territory, 
north of the 19th century Walla Walla territory, and west of the 19th 
century Nez Perce territory.
    In 1963, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from 45WT2, Whitman County, WA. Washington State 
University excavated three disturbed burials and Burial 1 while under 
contract with the National Park Service and prior to land acquisition 
by the Army Corps of Engineers. Following removal, the human remains 
and funerary objects were delivered to Washington State University. No 
known individual was identified. The three associated funerary objects 
are one counted object and two lots of objects, which are one 
hammerstone, one lot of shell beads, and one lot of stones.
    The historic period burial pattern is consistent with the cultural 
traditions of the Palus Indians who occupied the Palouse River drainage 
during historic times. Site 45WT2 is located at the mouth of the 
Palouse River and is within judicially established Palus Indian land, 
and north and northwest of judicially established Cayuse and Nez Perce 
Indian lands.
    In 1965, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Lower Granite Dam Site, 45WT35, Whitman County, 
WA. The partial human remains were removed by Washington State 
University while under contract with the National Park Service and 
prior to land acquisition by the Army Corps of Engineers. Following 
removal, the remains were delivered to Washington State University. In 
1992, Washington State University identified one human molar in the 
collection. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    The site is described as a prehistoric village that included no 
reports of burials. This individual was determined to be Native 
American based on significant tooth wear and the types of artifacts 
present in the collection, which are common in the Plateau culture 
area. Early and late ethnographic documentation indicates site 45WT35 
is within the overlapping 19th century territory of the Palus and Nez 
Perce people.
    In 1977 or 1978, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the Blyton Landing Burial Site, 45WT53, 
Whitman County, WA. The University of Idaho removed burials from this 
location while under contract with the Army Corps of Engineers as part 
of the Army Corps of Engineers' Nez Perce Grave Recovery Project. The 
human remains were reburied at Spalding, ID, in 1978. In 1987, 
Washington State University students observed a human bone fragment at 
Blyton Landing and delivered it to Washington State University. In 
2000, the University of Idaho transferred a portion of the 45WT53 
collection to Washington State University. In 2003, Washington State 
University inventoried the transferred materials, and identified 
funerary objects associated with the reburied Burials 1 through 5 and 
surface-collected human remains from an unknown burial, and these 
unassociated funerary objects are in a companion Notice of Intent to 
Repatriate Cultural Items. The only human remains remaining in the 
collection are from the removal in 1987. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains from Burials 1 through 5 and the unknown burial 
are determined to be Native American, as was previously determined 
during the Nez Perce Grave Recovery Project. Site 45WT53 is adjacent to 
judicially established Nez Perce Indian lands and east of judicially 
established Palus Indian lands.
    In 1967, human remains representing a minimum of five individuals 
were removed from the Ferguson Burial Site, 45WT55, Whitman County, WA. 
The Washington State University field school excavated Burials 1 
through 7

[[Page 36117]]

prior to land acquisition by the Army Corps of Engineers. The burials 
were delivered to Washington State University following removal. At an 
unknown time, the human remains were transferred to the University of 
Idaho where a pre-NAGPRA program of repatriation was ongoing. In 2000, 
the University of Idaho transferred the collection to Washington State 
University. In 2006, the human remains were inventoried and Burials 1, 
3, 4, 5, and 6 were found in the collection. No known individuals were 
identified. The seven associated funerary objects are one counted 
object and six lots of objects, which are one pestle, one lot of animal 
remains, one lot of basketry fragments, and four lots of wood 
fragments.
    The individuals are determined to be Native American based on 
dental characteristics, significant tooth wear, and archeological 
burial patterns which are age diagnostic attributes of the late 
prehistoric period on the southern Columbia Plateau. Site 45WT55 is 
adjacent to judicially established Nez Perce Indian land and within the 
overlapping 19th century territories of the Palus and Nez Perce people.
    In 1971, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Lawyer Burial Site, 45WT101, Whitman County, WA. 
This individual is 1 of 33 burials removed by the University of Idaho 
while under contract to the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Nez 
Perce Grave Removal Project. The 45WT101 burials were reported as 
reburied at Spalding, ID, in 1978. In 1998 and 2000, the University of 
Idaho transferred the 45WT101 collection to Washington State 
University. In 2001, Washington State University encountered human 
remains associated with Burial 21 during a collections assessment 
inventory. The individual was previously determined to be Nez Perce as 
part of the Nez Perce Grave Removal Project. No known individual was 
identified. The two associated funerary objects are projectile points.
    In 1973, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from the Wilma Bar Culvert Burial Site, 45WT103, Whitman 
County, WA. This individual is one of nine burials removed by the 
University of Idaho while under contract to the Army Corps of Engineers 
as part of the Nez Perce Grave Removal Project. Following removal, the 
burials were delivered to the University of Idaho. The 45WT103 burials 
were reported as reburied at Spalding, ID, in 1978. The collection was 
transferred to Washington State University at an unknown date. In 2003, 
Washington State University encountered partial human remains from 
Burial 7 during a collections inventory. The individual was previously 
determined to be Nez Perce during initiation and completion of the Nez 
Perce Grave Removal Project. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Evidence supports cultural affiliation of the Confederated Tribes 
of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 
Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation 
of Oregon, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the 
Nez Perce Tribe with the above-mentioned sites and collections. 
Additionally, a cultural relationship is determined to exist between 
the sites and collections and the Wanapum Band, a non-federally 
recognized Indian group. Other relevant information provided by Indian 
tribes and the Wanapum Band indicates they are direct descendant 
communities from the Native people that jointly used the areas, are 
intermarried, have enrolled members with documented connections to 
ancestors buried along the Snake River, and are all part of the more 
broadly defined Plateau cultural community.
    Officials of the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of 
Engineers, Walla Walla District, have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described above represent the 
physical remains of 39 individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, 
Walla Walla District, also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001(3)(A), the 642 objects described above, which are 123 counted 
objects and 519 lots of objects, 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. Further, officials of the 
U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla 
District, 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 associated funerary 
objects and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, 
Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, 
Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of 
Oregon; Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington; 
and the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho. Lastly, officials of the U.S. 
Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, 
have determined that there is a cultural relationship between the 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the 
Wanapum Band, a non-federally recognized Indian group.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact LTC Michael Farrell, U.S. Department of Defense, 
Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, 201 North Third Ave., 
Walla Walla, WA 99362, telephone (509) 527-7700, before July 26, 2010. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to 
the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington; 
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon; 
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon; 
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington; and the 
Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho, may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward. The U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of 
Engineers, Walla Walla District, acknowledges the participation of the 
Wanapum Band, a non-federally recognized Indian group, in the transfer 
of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian 
tribes.
    The U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Walla 
Walla District, is responsible for notifying the Confederated Tribes of 
the Colville Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the 
Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Warm 
Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon; Confederated Tribes and Bands of 
the Yakama Nation, Washington; Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho; and the Wanapum 
Band, a non-federally recognized Indian group, that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: June 18, 2010
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-15325 Filed 6-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S