[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 55457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20651]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, 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 in the possession of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Angeles National 
Forest, Arcadia, CA. The human remains were removed from Los Angeles 
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. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Angeles 
National Forest professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the San Manuel 
Reservation, California; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of 
the Santa Ynez Reservation, California; Native American Heritage 
Commission; and over 70 individuals representing nonfederally 
recognized Indian groups.
    In November 1974, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from archeological site 05-01-54-13 (CA-LAn-
1301) on Mount Emma in Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, CA, 
during salvage excavations conducted by archeologists from California 
State University, Dominguez Hills and the Antelope Valley 
Archaeological Society. The excavations were undertaken in response to 
Forest Service concerns over the potential for disturbance of human 
remains that had been exposed on the top of a road cut. Following the 
excavations, the remains of one individual were curated at California 
State University, Dominguez Hills until 1994 when they were transferred 
to Angeles National Forest. The remains of the other individual were 
curated at Pomona College, Claremont, CA, until 1998 when they were 
transferred to Angeles National Forest. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The tightly flexed form of inhumation in both burials suggests that 
site 05-01-54-13 is a late Prehistoric period site typical of 
settlement in the desert foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. During 
the late Prehistoric period, inhumation appears to have been practiced 
in the Tataviam cultural area to the west of Angeles National Forest 
and in the Desert/Kitanemuk Serrano cultural area to the north and 
northwest of the forest. Based on burial customs, archeological 
context, geography, and information obtained during consultation, the 
individuals are of Native American ancestry. The present-day San Manuel 
Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the San Manuel Reservation, 
California traces a shared group identity with the Desert/Kitanemuk 
Serrano cultural groups that inhabited the area around the site during 
the late Prehistoric period.
    Officials of Angeles National Forest 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 Angeles National Forest also 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 San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the 
San Manual Reservation, California.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Jody N. 
Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest, 701 North Santa 
Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006, telephone (626) 574-1613, before 
October 14, 2004. Repatriation of the human remains to the San Manuel 
Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the San Manual Reservation, 
California may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    Angeles National Forest is responsible for notifying the San Manuel 
Band of Serrano Mission Indians of the San Manuel Reservation, 
California; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa 
Ynez Reservation, California; Native American Heritage Commission; and 
over 70 individuals representing nonfederally recognized Indian groups 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: July 6, 2004.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 04-20651 Filed 9-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S