FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOI - 162 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee	Agency Name	Department of the Interior
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	162
Original Establishment Date	8/2/1991	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/review-comm...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	7
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Manager, National NAGPRA Program
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Ms.
Current Charter Date	11/27/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Melanie
Date Of Renewal Charter	11/27/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	O'Brien
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority	25 U.S.C. 3006(i)	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 354-2201
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(202) 354-2201
Specific Establishment Authority*	25 U.S.C. 3006	Designated Federal Officer Email*	melanie_o'brien@nps.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/16/1990
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Committee averages two in-person meetings and one or two telephonic meetings per fiscal year. All meetings are open to the public and are essential for the Review Committee to carry out its consultative, advisory, and review responsibilities. During a meeting, the Committee may make findings of fact related to the identity or cultural affiliation of cultural items, or the return of such items; facilitate the resolution of disputes relating to the return of cultural items, including convening the parties to the dispute; consult with the Secretary of the Interior in the development of regulations; and report to the Congress annually on the progress made, and any barriers encountered, in the implementation of NAGPRA.
How is membership balanced?*	The membership reflects the interests most affected by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. As required by the Act (25 U.S.C. 3006(b)), the Review Committee is composed of seven members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior as follows: (a) three members are appointed from nominations submitted by Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and traditional Native American religious leaders, with at least two of these members being traditional Indian religious leaders; (b) three members are appointed from nominations submitted by national museum organizations and scientific organizations; and (c) one member is appointed from a list of persons developed and consented to by all the members appointed pursuant to (a) and (b).
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Meetings are generally held three or four times per fiscal year. Meetings are held in different locations across the country to allow for different audiences and varied participation. Presentations and public comment made at these meetings often reflect the relevant issues related to repatriation in a particular region. Regularly spaced meetings allow for the Review Committee to monitor and review the implementation of NAGPRA throughout the fiscal year.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Review Committee provides essential advice, recommendations, and oversight for the present and future implementation of NAGPRA (including the Act's reserved regulatory sections); provides a forum for public comment; consults with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and museums and Federal agencies on matters within the scope of the work of the Review Committee; reviews and makes findings related to the identity or cultural affiliation of cultural items, or the return of such items; and facilitates the resolution of disputes, which could not be facilitated in any other venue.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings of the Review Committee are open.
Recommendation Remarks	The purpose of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee is to monitor and review the implementation of the inventory and identification processes and repatriation activities required under 25 U.S.C. 3003, 3004, and 3005. The responsibilities of the Review Committee are laid out at 25 U.S.C. 3006(c).

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	Yes
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	Yes
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	Agency had not proposed legislation. In addition to support of the Review Committee, the agency also issues regulations, establishes priorities, allocates resources, and approves grants. The Review Committee does not review or award grants.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	The Review Committee's dual role of representing various constituencies regarding implementation of the statute and facilitating the resolution of disputes between museums, Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations is likely to divert some parties from engaging in costly litigation. Travel to different locations allows museums, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to save travel costs.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	247	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	In FY 2025, the Review Committee made zero recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	90.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Recommendations regarding the disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains generally receive the Secretary of the Interior's concurrence.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	10.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Recommendations regarding the disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains generally receive the Secretary of the Interior's concurrence.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Designated Federal Officer provides regular feedback on the status of the Review Committee's recommendations through formal presentations at meetings and other notifications. The National NAGPRA Program provides an annual report on the implementation of NAGPRA through statistical information, as reported by museums, Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.	Narrative Description*	The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee serves as a major conduit to the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the United States government for the implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and is the focal point for public participation in and consultation regarding the implementation of the Act.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$3,812.94	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$10,000.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$65,010.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$66,000.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$38,737.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$40,000.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$0.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$0.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$1,021.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$1,500.00
11. Total Costs	$108,580.94	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$117,500.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/18/2025 10:19 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	0.25	Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks	Other costs include the publication of 3 Federal Register notices.

Interest Areas

Category Area Arts Arts and Humanities Basic Science Basic Sciences Biology Materials Research Civil Rights Native Americans Government Federal Government State Government Tribal Government Land Conservation and Preservation Legislation Legislation Regulations Social Sciences History

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