The state Legislature on Wednesday passed a proposal to save dozens of state parks slated for closure on July 1, and reduce the closure of still more parks in 2013.
The “Sustainable Parks Proposal” put forward by state Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and state Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), included in Senate Bill 1018, would build on the nonprofit partnerships established through the California Parks Foundation and their nonprofit partners.
It also would implement “new ways of working” in the parks, including encouraging parks to become more entrepreneurial and allowing more personnel flexibility.
Further, the bill would allocate up to $41 million in existing funding to parks that may be appropriately used for park purposes.
“Our state parks are integral to the economy, health and history of California,” said Evans, who has 20 of the 70 state parks slated for closure in her Second Senate District including the beloved Standish-Hickey State Park in Mendocino County and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lake County.
“This proposal will provide the funds needed to keep our parks open and our legacy intact while laying a foundation for our park’s economic sustainability,” Evans added.
“Closing state parks has always been, in my mind, an unacceptable option, and I’m very pleased that this proposal is moving forward,” said Simitian. “These parks are precious public resources and extraordinary economic assets. They are part of our heritage as Californians. They are places that hold great meaning for all of us. While this budget proposal by no means puts an end to our effort to keep parks open, it is an encouraging start with long-term potential.”
The proposal, included in a package of bills that follow the budget, called “budget trailer bills”, is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. Governor Brown has the power to veto, or ‘blue pencil,’ items in budget bills.
These additional, existing funding sources include $10 million annually in long-term loans from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund to fix water and septic system problems that plague many aging park facilities; shifting $10 million from existing vehicle registration fees for park road repair, maintenance and law enforcement; and giving the Department of Parks and Recreation more flexibility in the use of funds, by giving them the option to use up to $21 million of gas tax funds before they’re deposited into the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund.
The last funding source would sunset after three years.
In total, the proposal secures up to $109.34 million for state parks.
Absent the governor’s veto, the bill would take effect on July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
Originally, as many as 70 state parks had been slated for closure on July 1.
Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, which is in negotiations with the state to run Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, said over the weekend that the park will remain open past the July 1 closure date as it continues to work out details of the agreement.
The governor has until July 9 to act on the bill or it becomes law without his signature.