The Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum will have a new lease on life thanks to a bill carried by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) and recently signed into law.
The museum, which has operated on state property in a historic fish hatchery building since the early 1980s, will be able to sign a new, no-cost lease with the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the next 25 years, allowing the museum to continue operating and providing educational and cultural resources to the community.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have the departmental authority to lease facilities below market rates or for periods longer than five years per protocols established by the Department of General Services.
This measure would allow the museum to operate as a public benefit at no or nominal cost.
"I’m proud to champion legislation that will allow this historical treasure to continue operating,” stated Dahle. “It’s critical to maintain the museum's accessibility so visitors worldwide can enjoy the rich and diverse education the museum provides.”
“This bill will ensure the future of the best small town museum in California and allow us to continue to provide an immersive interactive experience of the history, geology, and environment of our mountain community,” said Ted Marconi, Mt. Shasta Museum board secretary. “We are grateful to Senator Dahle and his staff, especially to Bruce Ross and Taylor Brown for shepherding this through the legislative process, and to the Regional Department of Fish and Wildlife office for their cooperation in this process, as well as the many people who submitted comments in support of this bill.”
In 1981, legislation was passed to lease property on Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery to the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce to operate as a historical museum. The community of Mt. Shasta restored the facility to operational status with a combination of State funds, local donations and volunteer labor.
Since July 1983, the Mt. Shasta Museum Association has operated the museum with a coalition of all-volunteer staff, funded solely by memberships, grants, and generous donations.
Senate Bill 1009 was signed by the Governor on July 15 and will be enacted January 1, 2025.