Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5244) 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, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5244

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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:

(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. SEC. 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. 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 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. SEC. 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'', created on 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 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 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 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). SEC. 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. 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.

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Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight) for his work and leadership on this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to join me to honor the more than 400 individuals who lost their lives nearly 90 years ago by supporting this bill.

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