Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act

To provide for the establishment of a national memorial and national monument to commemorate those killed by the collapse of the Saint Francis Dam on March 12, 1928, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On March 12, 1928, the Saint Francis Dam located in the northern portion of Los Angeles County, California, breached, resulting in a devastating flood that caused the death of approximately 425 individuals. (2) The residents of Santa Clarita Valley, San Francisquito Canyon, Castaic Junction, Santa Clara River Valley, Piru, Fillmore, Bardsdale, Saticoy, and Santa Paula were directly impacted and suffered greatly from the worst flood in the history of the State of California. (3) The disaster resulted in a tremendous loss of human life, property, and the livelihood of local residents, and was surpassed in the level of destruction in the 20th century only by the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. (4) The collapse of the dam may represent America’s worst civil engineering failure in the 20th century. (5) The site of the disaster is subject to the theft of historic artifacts, graffiti, and other vandalism. (6) It is right to pay homage to the citizens who were killed, injured, or dislocated due to the flood, and to educate the public about this important historical event. (7) It is appropriate that the site of the Saint Francis Dam and surrounding areas be specially designated and protected to commemorate this tragic event. 3. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial (a) Establishment The Secretary is authorized to establish a memorial at the Saint Francis Dam site in the county of Los Angeles, California, for the purpose of honoring the victims of the Saint Francis Dam disaster of March 12, 1928. (b) Requirements The Memorial shall be— (1) known as the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial; and (2) managed by the Forest Service. (c) Donations The Secretary is authorized to accept, hold, administer, invest, and spend any gift, devise, or bequest of real or personal property made to the Secretary for purposes of developing, designing, constructing, and managing the Memorial. 4. Recommendations for Memorial (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress recommendations regarding— (1) the planning, design, construction, and long-term management of the Memorial; (2) the proposed boundaries of the Memorial; (3) a visitor center and educational facilities at the Memorial; and (4) ensuring public access to the Memorial. (b) Consultation In preparing the recommendations required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) appropriate Federal agencies; (2) State, tribal, and local governments, including the Santa Clarita City Council; and (3) the public. 5. Establishment of Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument (a) Establishment There is established as a national monument in the State, certain National Forest System land administered by the Secretary in the county of Los Angeles comprising approximately 440 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument (b) Purpose The purpose of the Monument is to conserve and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of the public the cultural, archaeological, historical, watershed, educational, and recreational resources and values of the Monument. 6. Duties of the Secretary with respect to Monument (a) Management plan (1) In general Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a management plan for the Monument. (2) Consultation The management plan shall be developed in consultation with— (A) appropriate Federal agencies; (B) State, tribal, and local governments; and (C) the public. (3) Considerations In developing and implementing the management plan, the Secretary shall, with respect to methods of protecting and providing access to the Monument, consider the recommendations of the Saint Francis Disaster National Memorial Foundation, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, and the Community Hiking Club of Santa Clarita. (b) Management The Secretary shall manage the Monument— (1) in a manner that conserves and enhances the cultural and historic resources of the Monument; and (2) in accordance with— (A) the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1600 (B) this Act; and (C) any other applicable laws. (c) Uses (1) Use of motorized vehicles The use of motorized vehicles within the Monument may be permitted only— (A) on roads designated for use by motorized vehicles in the management plan required under subsection (a); (B) for administrative purposes; or (C) for emergency responses. (2) Grazing The Secretary shall permit grazing within the Monument, where established before the date of the enactment of this Act— (A) subject to all applicable laws (including regulations and Executive orders); and (B) consistent with the purpose described in section 5(b). 7. Clarification on funding No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 8. Definitions In this Act: (1) Memorial The term Memorial (2) Monument The term Monument (3) State The term State (4) Secretary The term Secretary

Summary: Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial at the Dam site in Los Angeles County, California, to honor the victims of the Saint Francis Dam disaster of March 12, 1928. The Memorial shall be managed by the Forest Service. USDA shall submit to Congress, by three years after this bill's enactment, recommendations regarding: the planning, design, construction, and long-term management of the Memorial; the proposed boundaries; a visitor center and educational facilities; and ensuring public access to the Memorial. The bill establishes the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument on specified National Forest System land administered by USDA in Los Angeles County for the purpose of conserving and enhancing the cultural, archaeological, historical, watershed, educational, and recreational resources and values of the Monument. USDA shall develop a management plan for the Monument by four years after this bill's enactment. USDA shall manage the Monument: (1) in a manner that conserves and enhances its cultural and historic resources, and (2) in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. The bill limits the use of motorized vehicles but permits grazing within the Monument.