Army Corps Hands Back Ancient Soil to Native Tribes
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Francisco and the University of California, Riverside plan to return 33 cultural items, mostly soil and charcoal samples, to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. These items were collected during a dam project and will be repatriated starting December 17, 2025. This respectful return honors cultural connections and involves careful coordination between agencies and tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 33 Cultural Items
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (San Francisco) and the University of California, Riverside intend to return 33 cultural items — all soil and charcoal samples — to affiliated Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The repatriation may occur on or after December 17, 2025, and the notice identifies affiliation with the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California; Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, California; and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, California.
How to Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for these items to the named representatives; requests must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the requester is a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Send requests to Dr. Stephanie Bergman Sahinoglu, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, and to Ms. Megan Murphy, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92517-5900; competing requests will be resolved by the USACE San Francisco District and UCR, and joint requests are treated as a single request.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions 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.
2026-11850 — Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is updating its forms for businesses that run services inside parks, like gift shops and food stands. These changes make it easier for companies to apply and keep things running smoothly, with no extra costs or delays expected. If you work with park concessions, keep an eye out for new form rules coming soon!
2026-11700 — Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found human remains and a bone tool linked to Native American tribes. Starting July 13, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes that they belong to. If you want to request the return, you can contact the museum directly—just a heads-up, some items might need careful handling due to past pesticide use.
2026-11701 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return five Native Hawaiian cultural items, like stone tools, that were taken from burial sites on Oʻahu back in 1938. This repatriation will start on or after July 13, 2026, giving Native Hawaiian groups a chance to reclaim their heritage. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting and restoring Native Hawaiian history.
2026-11238 — Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan has finished checking its collection and found Native American ancestral remains from a historic site in Michigan. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting July 6, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important cultural items, following the law, with no costs or risks involved.
2026-11232 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return four important cultural items—two baskets and two charmstones—to Native American tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after July 6, 2026, honoring the tribes’ heritage and history. No money changes hands, but the university is making sure these treasures go back to their rightful communities.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19967 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, San Francisco, CA
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Francisco plans to return 870 Native American cultural items found during dam construction in Sonoma County back to the affiliated tribes. This repatriation can start on or after December 17, 2025, helping honor Native heritage and respect sacred objects. If you want to learn more or request repatriation, contact the Corps before then.
Next: 2025-19969 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Temple University has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and artifacts found in Pennsylvania. They’ve confirmed these remains belong to certain Native tribes and are ready to return them starting December 17, 2025. If you want to request the return, contact Temple University soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care.