BY RECORD STAFF

The Navy has given notice to Indian tribes in the region that it found prehistoric human remains at Maylor Point on the Seaplane Base at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in October and plans to return the remains to the Swinomish Tribe.

According to the Navy, natural erosion exposed about 3 inches of a single bone in the bluff on the Maylor Point peninsula, south of the Oak Harbor Marina. The remains were found during a survey of an archeological site on the property, which is federal land under the Navy’s control.

The Navy said it has consulted with Island County Coroner Robert Bishop, who determined the remains were prehistoric.

People or Indian tribes who want to make a legal claim to the remains should contact John Phillips in the Environmental Affairs Department at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island at 360-257-1009.

If no claims are made, the Navy is planning to return the remains to the Swinomish Tribe.