5040-5044
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.