Chapter 4 - Tribal Consultation (2025-2026)

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Cultural Studies Office (CSO) is in the process of drafting a new chapter for the Standard Environmental Reference (SER) Volume 2: Chapter 4 Repatriation (Chapter 4). This chapter will replace the previous Chapter 4 and will address Caltrans’ procedures for the repatriation processes under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA). The SER acts as Caltrans' statewide guidance to the 12 Caltrans Districts.

As a part of Chapter 4’s development, Caltrans is conducting tribal consultation. The goal of tribal consultation is to ensure that tribal perspectives are appropriately incorporated into Caltrans' guidance on the respectful return of ancestors and cultural items in compliance with NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.

Below is the current draft of Chapter 4, revised in response to tribal comments and released in September 2026. In addition to a clean draft of chapter, there is also a redline version of Chapter 4 and a summary of the tribal comments received and Caltrans’ responses. The revised draft is currently undergoing additional tribal consultation. Tribal representatives can submit comments on draft Chapter 4 to NACS.Info@dot.ca.gov.

Revised SER Volume 2 Chapter 4 Clean Version (PDF)
Revised SER Volume 2 Chapter 4 Redline Version (PDF)
Summary of Tribal Review Comments and Caltrans Responses (PDF)