BLM Plans Return of Navajo Dam Cultural Items
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico and the Bureau of Reclamation in Utah plan to return certain Native American cultural items starting July 6, 2026. These items, linked to Native tribes and organizations, were found during archaeological work related to the Navajo Dam project. This repatriation respects Native heritage and follows important legal rules, with no direct cost impact to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 11 Native funerary objects
The Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation intend to repatriate 11 unassociated funerary objects starting on or after July 6, 2026. The items are three lots of coprolites, seven lots of botanical remains, and one lot of ceramics removed from sites in Rio Arriba and San Juan Counties, New Mexico, and are currently in custody of the Museum of New Mexico (Museum of Indian Arts and Culture) and Arizona State University.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization (including those not listed in the notice) may send a written request for repatriation and must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, BLM and Reclamation will decide the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after July 6, 2026.
No direct public cost impact
The notice states that the repatriation follows the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and will occur without direct cost impact to the public. The repatriation actions described may begin on or after July 6, 2026.
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