2024-28485. Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Oneida, TN

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Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1. [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039148; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BISO) intends to carry out the disposition of human remains removed from Federal or Tribal lands to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization with priority for disposition in this notice.

DATES:

Disposition of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after January 6, 2025. If no claim for disposition is received by December 5, 2025, the human remains in this notice will become unclaimed human remains.

ADDRESSES:

Niki S. Nicholas, Superintendent, National Park Service, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, TN 37841, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Superintendent, BISO, and additional information on the human remains in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the related records.

Abstract of Information Available

Based on the information available, human remains representing, at least, one individual has been reasonably identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Human remains were discovered within the Luna Moth Rockshelter in Scott County, TN, in 1994. The human remains were discovered while National Park Service archaeologists were excavating in a disturbed context along with diagnostic ceramics. The human remains were collected and transferred to the Southeast Archeology Center (SEAC) in Tallahassee, FL, where they are currently housed.

Determinations

BISO has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma have priority for disposition of the human remains described in this notice.

Claims for Disposition

Written claims for disposition of the human remains in this notice must be sent to the appropriate official identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . If no claim for disposition is received by December 5, 2025, the human remains in this notice will become unclaimed human remains. Claims for disposition may be submitted by:

1. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they have priority for disposition.

Disposition of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after January 6, 2025. If competing claims for disposition are received, BISO must determine the most appropriate claimant prior to disposition. Requests for joint disposition of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. BISO is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3002, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.7.

Dated: November 22, 2024.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.