I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2156 
To provide for the establishment of a national memorial and national monu-
ment to commemorate those killed by the collapse of the Saint Francis 
Dam on March 12, 1928, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 26, 2017 
Mr. KNIGHT (for himself and Ms. BROWNLEY of California) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Saint Francis Dam 
Disaster National Memorial Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) On March 12, 1928, the Saint Francis Dam 
located in the northern portion of Los Angeles Coun-
ty, California, breached, resulting in a devastating 
flood that caused the death of approximately 425 in-
dividuals. 
(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 destruc-
tion in the 20th century only by the great San Fran-
cisco 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 van-
dalism. 
(6) It is right to pay homage to the citizens 
who were killed, injured, or dislocated due to the 
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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 trag-
ic event. 
SEC. 3. SAINT FRANCIS DAM DISASTER NATIONAL MEMO-
RIAL. 
(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 ac-
cept, hold, administer, invest, and spend any gift, devise, 
or bequest of real or personal property made to the Sec-
retary for purposes of developing, designing, constructing, 
and managing the Memorial. 
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SEC. 4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEMORIAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall sub-
mit 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 recommenda-
tions required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
consult with— 
(1) appropriate Federal agencies; 
(2) State, tribal, and local governments, includ-
ing the Santa Clarita City Council; and 
(3) the public. 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF SAINT FRANCIS DAM DISASTER 
NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established as a na-
tional 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’’, created on 
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June 14, 2016, to be known as the 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. 
SEC. 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 im-
plementing the management plan, the Secretary 
shall, with respect to methods of protecting and pro-
viding access to the Monument, consider the rec-
ommendations of the Saint Francis Disaster Na-
tional Memorial Foundation, the Santa Clarita Val-
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ley 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 et seq.) and the laws generally applicable 
to the National Forest System; 
(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 per-
mitted only— 
(A) on roads designated for use by motor-
ized vehicles in the management plan required 
under subsection (a); 
(B) for administrative purposes; or 
(C) for emergency responses. 
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(2) GRAZING.—The Secretary shall permit 
grazing within the Monument, where established be-
fore 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). 
SEC. 7. CLARIFICATION ON FUNDING. 
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the 
requirements of this Act. Such requirements shall be car-
ried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) MEMORIAL.—The term ‘‘Memorial’’ means 
the Saint Frances Dam Disaster National Memorial 
authorized under section 3(a). 
(2) 
MONUMENT.—The 
term 
‘‘Monument’’ 
means the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National 
Monument established under section 5(a). 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of California. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Æ 
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