Tennessee Uncovers and Lists Ancestral Burial Goods for Return
Published Date: 8/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the University of Tennessee have finished checking old human remains and artifacts from Carter County, TN. They found these items are connected to Native American tribes. This means the items will be returned to the right tribes soon, following important laws that protect Native American heritage.
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606, Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-17902, Bicycle Use in Park Areas
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to modify the procedural requirements in existing NPS regulations for the designation of roads and trails for bicycle use within park areas. The changes would align NPS regulations with applicable Federal law and policy, remove unnecessary requirements, and ensure public involvement when needed. The changes in this rule would allow the NPS to manage its resources and allocate taxpayer funds more efficiently and streamline the approval of new and expanded opportunities for use and enjoyment of park areas by the American public.
2026-17198, Gulf Islands National Seashore; Personal Watercraft
The National Park Service revises special regulations governing the use of personal watercraft at Gulf Islands National Seashore. This rule reduces the distance of flat wake speed zones from certain shorelines and codifies existing closures at West Petit Bois Island and the Fort Pickens ferry pier.
2026-17186, Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return a special ceramic smoking pipe with a human face to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, as it’s linked to their Mohican ancestors. This repatriation may happen on or after September 23, 2026, following Native American laws protecting cultural items. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure history and respect go hand in hand!
2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices
The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.
2026-15406, First State National Historical Park; Bicycling
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to issue special regulations for First State National Historical Park to allow for bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of the park.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-15855, Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN, and University of Tennessee, Department of Anthropology, Knoxville, TN
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the University of Tennessee have finished listing Native American human remains and artifacts found in Roane County, TN. They’ve identified which tribes these remains belong to, following important laws that protect Native American heritage. This update helps tribes reclaim their ancestors’ items respectfully and legally, with no costs or deadlines for the public.
Next: 2025-15857, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN, and University of Tennessee, McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, Knoxville, TN
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the University of Tennessee’s McClung Museum are planning to return certain Native American cultural items to the tribes they belong to. This is part of a law that respects Native American heritage and ensures these items go back to the right communities. The process helps honor history and culture without any cost impact to the public.