Search Results for keywords:"U.S. Department of the Interior"

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma-Texas Area Office (OTAO) has completed its inventory of human remains as required by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They have determined a cultural affiliation between these remains and certain Indian Tribes, specifically the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, among others. Requests for repatriation of these remains can be made by tribes mentioned in the notice or others with evidence of cultural affiliation. The repatriation process may begin on or after April 17, 2025, following evaluation of any competing claims.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has announced a virtual public meeting of the Western Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) scheduled for January 14, 2025. This meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time and is open to the public, requiring prior registration. The agenda will cover topics such as the Tribal Partnership and Reserved Treaty Rights Program and updates from field managers, with a public comment period set for 3:30 p.m. Attendees can participate virtually, and detailed minutes will be made available on the RAC's web page.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has completed an inventory of human remains and determined a cultural connection between the remains and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The human remains, found in 1962 and currently housed at the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History, are those of one Native American individual. Repatriation of these remains may begin on or after April 17, 2025, to the interested tribes, descendants, or organizations, with BLM responsible for resolving any competing claims.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the adoption of a National Park Service (NPS) categorical exclusion for managing invasive species, which will be used by seven other department bureaus. This decision aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of controlling invasive species on federal lands, following proper environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The adopted exclusion, allowing actions such as physical control and use of biological control organisms, means that these bureaus can manage invasive species without requiring a full environmental assessment, unless extraordinary circumstances arise. This step seeks to protect native species and preserve ecosystems across lands managed by these departments.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Kobuk Valley National Park intends to return human remains to Native American descendants as per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Human remains of at least two individuals were found in Alaska and are currently stored in Anchorage. Disposition of these remains is planned to begin after April 18, 2025, but if no claims are received by March 19, 2026, they will be considered unclaimed. The Native Village of Kiana is given priority for claiming these remains, but other claims will be considered if evidence shows priority.

The National Park Service announced its plan to return human remains found at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Nevada to the descendants or tribal group with the strongest claim. According to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), these remains, identified as Native American, can be claimed by any lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations. The remains are primarily intended for the Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of the Fallon Reservation and Colony, Nevada, but other parties can also submit claims based on evidence. If no claims are received by April 20, 2026, the remains will be considered unclaimed.

The National Park Service, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has finished an inventory of human remains at the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park in Hawaii. Upon consultation with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, they determined a cultural connection between these remains and some present-day Native American groups. These remains, identified as Native American, were found in 1971 and mistakenly labeled as animal bones until 2019. If no further claims are received by March 26, 2021, the remains will be transferred to identified descendants or representatives.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service is planning to return human remains found at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Nebraska to their rightful descendants, according to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The remains, identified as Native American, were discovered on federal land in 2020. The Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska have priority for claiming the remains. Interested parties must submit their claims by December 5, 2025, or the remains will be considered unclaimed.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GRSM) plans to return a cultural item, a stone pipe, that is considered a sacred object, to the rightful descendant or affiliated tribe under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The stone pipe was originally associated with Yonaguska, a known Cherokee leader, and donated to the park in 1937. Repatriation could occur on or after February 18, 2025, and any additional claims need to be supported with evidence showing cultural affiliation or lineal descent. If multiple requests are made, GRSM will determine the most appropriate requestor before proceeding with the repatriation.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, with help from museums in Alaska, has completed an inventory of human remains and artifacts found on several islands in Alaska. They determined that these remains and objects are culturally connected to Native American tribes living in Atka, Alaska. The agency plans to return these items to the rightful tribe on or after April 18, 2025. Requests for repatriation can be submitted by the tribes mentioned in the notice or by others who can prove a cultural connection.