H.R. 2156House115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed House

Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 2:58 PM UTC

The Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act creates a federal memorial and a national monument at the site of the 1928 Saint Francis Dam collapse in Los Angeles County, California. It honors the roughly 425 victims and preserves the historic area for education and recreation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will manage both the memorial and the monument, affecting local communities, visitors, and federal land management.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Agriculture may establish the "Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial" at the dam site, to be managed by the Forest Service and funded through donations and existing resources.
Within three years, the Secretary must submit Congress recommendations on the memorial’s design, boundaries, visitor center, and public access, after consulting federal, state, tribal, local officials and the public.
A national monument of about 353 acres of National Forest System land is created, called the "Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument," to protect cultural, historical, and natural resources.
The Secretary must develop a management plan for the monument within four years, with input from agencies, governments, and the public, and consider recommendations from local historical and hiking groups.
Motorized vehicle use in the monument is limited to designated roads, administrative purposes, or emergencies; existing pre‑act grazing may continue under applicable laws.
The act authorizes use of existing USDA funds but does not provide any additional appropriations.

Legislative Activity

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17 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 647.

November 14, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 26, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

April 26, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

May 3, 2017

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Natural Resources Committee

June 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

Natural Resources Committee

June 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-210.

Natural Resources Committee

July 11, 2017

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 147.

July 11, 2017

HouseFloor

Mr. LaHood moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

July 11, 2017 • 5:20 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5414-5416)

July 11, 2017 • 5:20 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2156.

July 11, 2017 • 5:20 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5414-5415)

July 11, 2017 • 5:25 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5414-5415)

July 11, 2017 • 5:25 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 11, 2017 • 5:25 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

July 12, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-526.

National Parks Subcommittee

August 15, 2018

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

October 2, 2018

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-360.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

November 14, 2018

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 647.

November 14, 2018

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about H.R. 2156 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. Darin LaHoodR-IL-18 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2156) to provide for the establishment of a national memorial and national monument to commemorate those killed by the collapse of the…

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The Saint Francis Dam disaster is considered one of the worst civil engineering catastrophes in the 20th century.

H.R. 2156, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), my good friend, recognizes the incident's devastation and subsequent impacts on the residents of northern Los Angeles County by establishing a national memorial and monument to preserve the area for future generations.

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the memorial using donations from the community, working in consultation with the Santa Clarita City Council and the public. No taxpayer funds are authorized for the construction of the memorial.

The bill also authorizes the creation of a 440-acre monument that will encompass the Saint Francis Dam memorial. The boundaries of the monument were designated in consultation with the local community, and the bill includes provisions to ensure motorized access within the monument and continued grazing on any land where it is already permitted.

The memorial and the monument created by this legislation are a fitting tribute to the 400 people who lost their lives tragically and thousands more whose lives were forever changed by the Saint Francis Dam disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill introduced by Mr. Knight, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), the author of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Stephen KnightR-CA-25 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, this is something that is near and dear to my heart. This is something that has affected our community. It happened less than 20 miles from my house, almost 100 years ago, and today I…

Rep. Jimmy PanettaD-CA-20 · Jul 11, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In one of the worst civil engineering failures of the 20th century, the breach of the Saint Francis Dam, on March 12, 1928, tragically took the…

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued November 14, 2018

Calendar No. 647

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 2156

[Report No. 115–360]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 12, 2017

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

November 14, 2018

Reported by Ms. Murkowski, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

AN 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.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Memorial

The term Memorial means the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial authorized under section 3(a).

(2)

Monument

The term Monument means the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument established by section 5(a).

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(4)

State

The term State means the State of California.

Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary may 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 may 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.

Recommendations for Memorial

(a)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date of 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.

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, California, comprising approximately 353 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument and dated September 12, 2018, to be known as the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument.

(b)

Purpose

Duties of the Secretary with respect to Monument

(a)

Management plan

(1)

In general

Not later than 4 years after the date of 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

(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.);

(B)

the laws generally applicable to the National Forest System;

(C)

this Act; and

(D)

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 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).

Clarification on funding

(a)

Use of existing funds

This Act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available to the Secretary.

(b)

No additional funds

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

November 14, 2018

Reported with an amendment