The Walla Walla District manages cultural resources and historic properties within its assigned area of responsibility, operating under several Federal authorities including but not limited to the following:
American Antiquities Act of 1906, as amended (16 USC 431-433)
Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974, as amended (16 USC 469-469c-2)
Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended (16 USC 470aa-mm)
Protection of Archeological Resources(43 CFR 7)
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 470 et seq.)
National Register of Historic Places (36 CFR 60)
Determinations of Eligibility for Inclusion in the National Register (36 CFR 63)
Channel banks of the lower Snake River have been explored by the National Park Service and Smithsonian Institution. Of particular significance were the shore lands and rock cliff caverns near the mouth of the Palouse River. In the 1960s, excavation was conducted in this area by Washington State University archaeologists and students who, by the summer of 1968, made a concentrated effort to finish excavating the Marmes Rock Shelter site prior to the Corps of Engineers raising the pool level behind Lower Monumental Dam. Because the Walla Walla District is the custodian of the Marmes Rock Shelter Collection, the District is ensuring its safekeeping and proper disposition under applicable laws.
A Walla Walla webpage dedicated to District activities related to the Marmes Collection is currently under construction. It will provide information about the associated condition assessment and accounting process.
Questions may be addressed, as follows
Program Manager, Marmes Project Delivery Team Manager
Technical Support Branch, Walla Walla District
E-mail: CENWW-OD@usace.army.mil
Phone: (509) 527-7131
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, as amended (25 USC 3001 et seq.) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: Final Rule (43 CFR 10) includes provisions dealing with the intentional excavation and inadvertent discovery of Native American human remains and sensitive cultural items. The law also established a way for Native Americans (including members of Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native Alaskan villages and corporations), to request repatriation (return) of human remains and other sensitive cultural items.
The Walla Walla District works with the Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections (MCX-CMAC), which was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1994. The MCX-CMAC is located in the St. Louis District and is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all Corps districts comply with the Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archeological Collections (36 CFR 79) . The MCX-CMAC helps ensure compliance for collections meeting the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act criteria. The MCX-CMAC website provides additional information and can be accessed at the following web address: www.mvs.usace.army.mil/engr/Curation/Home.htm.
Questions may be addressed, as follows:
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Archaeologist
201 North Third Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: (509) 527-7278
Fax: (509) 527-7825
E-mail: CENWWPMPD@usace.army.mil