Michael L. Connor, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior and former Commissioner for the Bureau of Reclamation. Photo from DOI

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has ordered the Interior Department to investigate alleged violations of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

A former employee at a Bureau of Reclamation office in California said the agency has failed to keep track of ancestral remains and artifacts. As a result, tribes have been hindered in their efforts to reclaim the items.

“Reclamation has abdicated its legal duty to track and protect these sacred objects,” Jeff Ruch, the executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said in a press release. “If these were your ancestors’ remains, you would be aghast to see them treated like a Lost and Found rummage bin.”

Patrick Williams, who made the disclosure to the OSC, was a museum specialist at the Mid-Pacific Regional Office in Sacramento. He said he raised concerns about NAGPRA compliance issues to superiors to no avail.

During that time, the Bureau of Reclamation was overseen by Michael Connor. He now serves as deputy secretary at Interior, the second-highest ranking post at the department.

DOI has 60 days to conduct an investigation, according to a letter from the OSC to Williams. The agency, however, could request an extension.

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Agency accused of violating law on remains, relics (AP 7/9)