Search Results for keywords:"Tonto National Forest"

The Tonto National Forest plans to repatriate human remains and cultural items from Federal or Tribal lands to Native American tribes, following the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The notice states that the disposition may take place after April 16, 2025, but the items will be deemed unclaimed if no claim is made by March 17, 2026. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has priority, but other descendants or tribes with evidence can also submit claims. If there are competing claims, the Tonto National Forest will decide the most suitable recipient.

The United States Forest Service (USFS), on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, has asked the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to extend a current protection order for an area in the Tonto National Forest, Arizona, for another 20 years. This order, known as Public Land Order No. 7664, covers 990 acres and prevents mining activities to safeguard the Diamond Rim Quartz Crystal Interpretative Area from potential mining damage. The public is invited to submit comments or request a meeting regarding this proposal by April 3, 2025. The application will be handled following specific regulations, and although personal information can be requested to be kept private, there are no guarantees it will be withheld from public view.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the Tonto National Forest is planning to repatriate Native American human remains and cultural items as part of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The items come from archaeological sites mostly in Gila County, Arizona, and will be returned to the appropriate Native American tribes, including the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Hopi Tribe. Written claims for these items must be submitted by March 17, 2026, and if no claims are received, the items will remain unclaimed. The repatriation process is set to begin on April 16, 2025.