Secretary's Order 3431: 60-day Report
Identification of removed or changed public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties on Reclamation lands
U.S. Department of the Interior
7/19/2025
Mission Statements
The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.
The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History
Secretary's Order 3431
Identification of removed or changed public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties
prepared by
Asset Management Office, Land Resources
Christopher Vick - Chief, Asset Management Office Jason Kirby - Land Resources Branch Supervisor Ronnie Baca - Recreation Program Manager Courtney Cobb - Program Analyst
Cover Photo: Folsom Dam, California Great Basin Region
Contents
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................2 Regional Responses.....................................................................................................3
California Great Basin (CGB) ..............................................................................3 Columbia Pacific Northwest Region (CPN) ........................................................4 Lower Colorado Basin (LCB) .............................................................................. 4 Missouri Basin & Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf Region (MB-ART) ........5 Upper Colorado Basin (UCB) .............................................................................. 6 Regional, Area and Field Office Response to Data Call:..........................................7
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Executive Summary
Secretary's Order 3431 (SO), titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," was issued on May 30, 2025, to address recent narratives surrounding historical events and figures within the United States. The order emphasizes the importance of engaging with the public and stakeholders to reassess and possibly restore monuments, memorials, and other historical markers.
SO 3431 directs the Secretary of the Interior to: review public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interior's (DOI) jurisdiction and to restore Federal sites dedicated to history, including parks and museums, to solemn and uplifting public monuments that remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union, and unmatched record of advancing liberty, prosperity, and human flourishing.
This report fulfills the 60-day requirement tasked to each land management bureau including the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to submit a report to the relevant Assistant Secretary within 60 days of the Order. The report must identify properties altered or removed since January 1, 2020, including the dates of these actions, the nature of the changes, and the Bureau's rationale. Additionally, it must assess whether the alterations or removals perpetuate a false portrayal of American history, diminish significant historical events or figures, or reflect any partisan ideology.
The information for this report was collected as part of the 30-day action, which mandated each Bureau to review and identify any public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties that were removed or changed between January 1, 2020, and the date of the Secretary's Order.
This report details all the name changes and/or removals that have happened on Reclamation's jurisdictional land. A total of five name changes have been completed along with one removal:
Change of "Negro Bar" to "Black Miners Bar" (California) Change of "Third Power Plant" to the "Nathaniel `Nat' Washington Power Plant"
(Washington) Change of "Squaw Lake" to "Xany Xamshr Lake" (California) Change of "North Shore Campground" to "Lake Shore Campground" (Wyoming) Change of "Rock Canyon Day Use Area and Swim Beach" to "Kestrel Pond" (Colorado) Removal and relocation of the Hugh Glass Monument (South Dakota to Nebraska)
Changes were implemented to address public concerns and comply with executive orders from DOI. See locations of changes and other details in the "Regional Responses" section below.
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Regional Responses
California Great Basin (CGB)
CGB reported one name change for a location within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Folsom, California. A recreation day-use area formerly known as "Negro Bar" was officially renamed "Black Miners Bar" in June 2022.
Reclamation collaborated with California State Parks, which manages Folsom Lake recreation for Reclamation, to engage with the local community and stakeholders to facilitate this name change in 2022.
The new name appears on three signs within and near the park facilities: a prominent entrance sign, a smaller sign at the boat launch ramp, and a roadway sign located on Greenback Lane, east of Folsom-Auburn Road. Additionally, the name is featured on the California State Parks website, as well as on maps and literature highlighting the day-use facilities.
The name Black Miners Bar has its roots in the historical presence of Black miners during the Gold Rush era, including references from an 1850 newspaper article documenting Black miners discovering gold at this site in 1848. Prior to the Gold Rush, the area was part of a Mexican government land grant known as Rancho Rio de los Americanos, awarded in 1844 to multiracial West Indian immigrant and entrepreneur William Alexander Leidesdorff.
The historic townsite of Negro Bar was located south of what is now Folsom, California, directly across the American River from the current day-use facilities. According to the 1850 U.S. census and election returns from that decade, Negro Bar had an estimated population of 500-600 residents.
Since 2018, California State Parks had been actively addressing requests from park visitors, interested members of the public, and stakeholders to consider a name change, as the previous name designation is perceived as derogatory.
Meetings with an array of stakeholders, along with formal consultations with California Native American tribal governments and community members, were pivotal to this process. Research into the area's history was shared, and discussions regarding alternative names took place. The efforts provided input not only on changing the place name but also in developing interpretive panels for the enhancements made to the day-use facility.
Feedback from stakeholders indicated that while some wished to retain the current name, most local parties preferred the change that still honors the historical significance of the Black miners' era. Many proposed renaming the site to "Black Miners Bar".
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Columbia Pacific Northwest Region (CPN)
CPN reported one name change at the Grand Coulee Powerhouse, Grand Coulee, Washington. The "Third Power Plant" was renamed to the "Nathaniel `Nat' Washington Power Plant" in the summer of 2020. The renaming honors a father-son duo who played pivotal roles in the conception, construction, and operation of the dam.
DOI Secretary David Bernhardt highlighted the significance of the renaming, stating, the fatherson duo was "instrumental in the conception, construction and implementation of operations at the dam."
The announcement was made during a virtual roundtable event hosted by Representative Newhouse (R-WA) where it was stated that "Grand Coulee Dam is responsible for transforming our region from an arid desert to one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, and it provides the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest" and "We know that our way of life would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy and service of Nat Washington and his son, Nat Washington Jr. Until now, their story has been largely untold."
The Washington family was a pioneer in advocating for hydropower and infrastructure investment. Reclamation's then-CPN Regional Director, Lorri Gray, remarked, "The Washington's vision and advocacy extended beyond hydropower development in the Columbia Basin."
Lower Colorado Basin (LCB)
LCB has implemented one name change in Imperial, California. The impounded lake above Imperial Dam on the Lower Colorado River, which borders Arizona and California was officially renamed from "Squaw Lake" to "Xany Xamshr Lake" in Imperial, California. This newly named lake is managed by several agencies within DOI, including Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), all of which hold jurisdiction over the land surrounding the lake.
The Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe, located approximately twenty miles from the lake, recommended the new name, "Xany Xamshr Lake". Xany Xamshr stands for "Star Lake" in the Quechan language. Consequently, the lake's name was officially changed in 2022 by the BLM in accordance with then-Secretary's Orders 3404 and 3405.
Secretary's Order 3404, dated November 19, 2021, recognized the term "squaw" as derogatory, leading to the directive that all existing federal geographic names containing the term should be addressed in accordance with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN's) Policy V: Derogatory and Offensive Names, prompting this name change. DOI has made significant efforts to identify and amend numerous place names on public land that are considered offensive to Native Americans, with the collaboration of the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe.
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Missouri Basin & Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf Region (MB-ART)
MB-ART reported a total of three name changes at Buffalo Bill State Park, Wyoming and Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado along with the removal and relocation of the Hugh Glass Monument, South Dakota.
Buffalo Bill State Park: On January 6, 2021, a campground and boat ramp within Buffalo Bill State Park, part of the Shoshone Project in Park County, Wyoming, underwent a name change. This three-loop campground features an adjacent boat ramp, parking area, and day-use facilities. The renaming from "North Shore Campground" to "Lake Shore Campground" was implemented to eliminate confusion among visitors, as there were two campgrounds containing the word "North" within the park--specifically, "North Shore Campground" and "North Fork Campground."
In response to confusion expressed by visitors, Reclamation recognized the need for this change to enhance clarity and improve the visitor experience.
Lake Pueblo State Park: On May 24, 2024, the swim beach at Pueblo Reservoir in Pueblo County, Colorado, was officially renamed from "Rock Canyon Day Use Area and Swim Beach" to "Kestrel Pond." This was intended to reflect evolving recreational activities at the site.
"Kestrel Pond" is now designated for quiet water activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking, with restrictions against motorized vessels and fishing. It serves as a tranquil alternative to the busy main lake, which is often crowded with powerboats and jet skis, addressing a long-standing need at Lake Pueblo.
The name change was implemented to accommodate the evolving usage patterns of the area. Initially enclosed with a large chain-link fence that regulated open and closed hours and provided parking, restrooms, and a bathhouse, the fence has since been removed, allowing unrestricted public access throughout the day.
Hugh Glass Monument: On October 1, 2023, the Hugh Glass Monument was relocated from Shadehill Reservoir in South Dakota to the Neihardt Center in Nebraska for the long-awaited opening of a time capsule buried inside in 1923. This move was initiated by the family of the monument's creator and follows previous relocations necessitated by the construction of Shadehill Reservoir and shoreline erosion.
The monument was originally erected on private land near the site where Glass was reportedly mauled by a grizzly bear in 1823. It was first moved to accommodate the reservoir's construction and subsequently relocated a second time to protect it from an eroding bank. Buried within the monument is a time capsule. In a 1923 article published in the Nebraska Normal College student newspaper, Neihardt encouraged students to revisit the monument in 2023, open the time
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capsule, recite portions of "The Song of Hugh Glass," and celebrate as mountain men might have. A Wayne State College professor and a group of students took up this challenge, but uncertainty over the monument's ownership and permissions hindered their efforts to access the time capsule. This prompted the Neihardt family to assert their claim of ownership. Reclamation approved their claim, allowing the family to transport the monument to the state historic site in Nebraska, where it was opened in October 2023.
Upper Colorado Basin (UCB)
UCB reported no name changes or removals on lands within Reclamation's jurisdiction between January 1, 2020, and May 20, 2025.
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Regional, Area and Field Office Response to Data Call:
Name of Reclamation facility, property, park or public use
area
Xany Xamshr Lake (formerly Squaw Lake)
Type of Public Property/facility
(monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar property)
Lake (part of Senator Wash Pump-Generating Facility and Reservoir)
Location of identified facility and/or property
(State, City, Recreation Area,
Etc.)
Imperial, CA (part of BLM-managed recreation area)
Date Property
was removed or
changed
2022
Description (Why was the public property removed or changed?)
Name change from "Squaw Lake" to "Xany Xamshr Lake"
Secretarial Order 3404 dated Nov. 19, 2021, declared the term "squaw" derogatory and changed geographic feature names containing that term
Removal or Change
Changed by the USGS
Region LCB
Name change from "Third Power Plant" at
Renaming the "Third Power Plant" at
Grand Coulee Dam to the "Nathaniel `Nat' Washington Power Plant"
Grand Coulee Dam Powerhouse
Grand Coulee,
8/12/2020 DOI Secretary David Bernhardt said the
Change
CPN
to the "Nathaniel
WA
renaming is in honor of a father-son duo who
`Nat' Washington
were "instrumental in the conception,
Power Plant"
construction and implementation of operations
at the dam."
Name change from "North Shore
Buffalo Bill State
Campground" to "Lake Shore Campground"
Buffalo Bill State
Similar Property: Park, Shoshone
MB-
Park
Campground & Project, Park
1/6/2021 This is a 3-loop campground with an adjacent Change
ART
Boat Ramp
County, Wyoming
boat ramp, parking and day use area. The name
change was due to confusion for visitors
between 2 campgrounds containing the word
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"North". Name change from "North Shore Campground" to "Lake Shore Campground" to avoid confusion with "North Fork Campground" located within the same park boundary.
Hugh Glass Monument
Monument
The Neihardt Hugh Glass monument was
moved to the Neihardt Center to open a time
capsule placed inside in 1923. The move
Shadehill
follows earlier relocations due to the
Reservoir, South 10/1/2023 construction of Shadehill Reservoir and
Removal
MB-
Dakota
shoreline erosion. Request originated from
ART
family of monument creator:
https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-
release/4631
Name change from "Rock Canyon Day Use Area and Swim Beach" to "Kestrel Pond"
Lake Pueblo State Similar Property: Pueblo Reservoir,
To cater to quiet water use. The area was
MB-
Park
Swim Beach
Pueblo County, 5/24/2024 enclosed with a large chain-link fence with
Change
ART
Colorado
open and closed hours, along with parking,
restrooms and bathhouse. The fence has since
been removed and is open all day to the public.
Name change from "Negro Bar" to "Black Miners Bar"
Recreation Area - Folsom Lake
The place name is present on three (3) signs
Black Miners Bar
day use area
State Recreation June 2022 located within and adjacent to the park
Change
CGB
Area, California
facilities. There is a large entrance sign and a
smaller sign that identifies a boat launch ramp.
Outside the park is a roadway sign on
Greenback Lane east of Folsom-Auburn Road.
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The name is also used on the California State Park website, maps, and literature identifying the day use facilities.
The "Negro Bar" name was changed to "Black
Miners Bar" to address concerns that the
original name was offensive and derogatory.
The name "Negro Bar" was historically used to
refer to a location where Black miners worked
during the California Gold Rush, but the term
"Negro" is now considered a racial slur. The
name change aims to honor the historical
significance of the area while using more
respectful and inclusive language.
NONE
UCB
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