Federal Register #2026-14163

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Cultural Items by CAL FIRE

This notice concerns the intended repatriation of cultural items by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), in partnership with the National Park Service: - CAL FIRE, under the Department of the Interior's National Park Service, is repatriating at least 3,258 unassociated funerary objects - Items include: - Projectile points, bifaces, faunal remains, debitage, fire-affected rock - Mortars, pestles, manos, cores, and other stone tools - Artifacts were collected during archaeological surveys and site investigations in the 1980s and 1990s - Sites span 31 locations across Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra Counties, California - Cultural affiliation is with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California - No OEMs, vendors, or procurement activities are involved; this is a compliance action under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

Description

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) intends to repatriate at least 3,258 cultural items classified as unassociated funerary objects. These items include projectile points, bifaces, faunal remains, debitage, fire affected rock, mortars, pestles, manos, cores, and other stone tools collected during archaeological surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. The items originate from 31 sites across several counties in California and are culturally affiliated with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California. Repatriation may occur on or after August 14, 2026, and requests for repatriation must be submitted in writing to the authorized representative.

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