SECTIONS 5040-5044 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 5040-5044

5040. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of
California to establish and preserve as a historical monument
representative of the early gold mining days of this State that
portion of the old town of Columbia in Tuolumne County whose
acquisition was initiated under the provisions of Chapter 1387 of the
Statutes of 1945.

5041. To assure the accomplishment of this policy it is directed
that:
(a) The department shall make a survey based on historical
research to determine the type and materials of construction,
location, and uses of the structures which existed on the acquired
area of the town of Columbia during those "early days"; and based on
the data so obtained shall prepare a master plan of restorational
development to which all work of preservation and restoration shall
substantially conform. Thereafter such master plan may be modified by
the department acting upon additional authentic information. Pending
completion of such master plan work of preservation and repair of
existing structures which have existed since "early days" and the
restoration and erection of such structures the authenticity of whose
plans and construction may be satisfactorily determined may be
accomplished by the department to the extent of availability of
appropriated funds or of other funds donated to the department for
such purposes.
(b) Leases of buildings within the area may be made by the
department on such terms and conditions as determined by the
department for occupancy, including such lawful use which is found to
be the same or similar use which held in the "early days" or which
as determined by the department is not inconsistent with the
objective of this article.
(c) A building or buildings shall be used for the establishment of
a museum to shelter and display exhibits of appliances used in
mining or other activities of the vicinity, articles formerly
possessed or used by "early days" inhabitants of the town, and items
of historic interest or suitable for inclusion as approved by the
department, whether loaned, donated or otherwise acquired.
(d) Any structures whose preservation or restoration is assured by
suitable contribution, when approved by the department, may be named
in honor of or as a memorial to the donor or as designated by the
donor.

5042. The Columbia Historic Park Association, a nonprofit
corporation, is designated as a committee advisory to the department
in the research incident to and adoption of the master plan for
development and upon policies of preservation, restoration and
management of Columbia Historic State Park.

5043. Columbia Historic State Park is a unit of the State Park
System and shall be administered in accordance with the laws applying
thereto subject to the provisions of this article.

5044. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any
other provision of law, the term of any concession contract within
Columbia Historic State Park in effect on the effective date of this
section which expires before January 1, 1984, shall, at the request
of the concessionaire, be extended by the department until January 1,
1984.