LOWER LAKE, Calif. – In a positive step toward keeping Anderson Marsh State Historic Park open, the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association has received preliminary approval from the California Parks Department to take over the park's operation.

Anderson Marsh is one of 70 state parks slated for closure July 1. AMIA has been working for several months to negotiate an agreement with the state to operate the park, and is postponing its September bluegrass festival until 2013 to devote its energies to the negotiations.

The group reported Tuesday that it's excited about the development, which it called “a big step forward on the path” to keeping the park open.

AMIA reported that the next steps are to negotiate the actual contract terms and to get the final approval for the agreement from the state.

Under the terms of the proposed operating agreement, AMIA would operate the Anderson Marsh for the next three years.

The group said the hope is that by then the state will be able to figure out a way to properly fund the state parks so that these stop-gap nonprofit operating agreements no longer will be needed.

Under the proposed agreement, AMIA will continue to perform the tasks that it currently does, including opening the park gates during daylight hours on Saturday and Sunday, interpretive nature walks and ranch house tours led by AMIA volunteer docents, hosting senior and student field trips to the park and conducting other interpretive events led by AMIA volunteers.

In addition, AMIA will take over responsibility for maintaining the trail system for use by the public, for contracting for refuse, toilet and utility services and for performing grounds-keeping, housekeeping and maintenance as required. Plans also include offering kayak tours of Anderson Marsh.

The California Parks Department will continue to maintain authority and responsibility for the stewardship and management of natural, cultural and historic resources, including American Indian artifacts found at the park.

State Parks also will continue to be responsible for law enforcement at the park, with periodic patrols and response to calls for assistance as required.

AMIA is in the middle of its fundraising drive to raise the money necessary to operate the parks for the next three years. The group reported that many generous individuals and groups have donated to the cause, some of them also pledging to make the same donation for the second and third year of operations.

In addition to monetary support, AMIA needs volunteers to help with running the park, including trail clearing, maintenance and many other activities. They also need help with staffing tables and booths at various county events so they can get the word out about their efforts to keep Anderson Marsh open.

To help visit AMIA's Web site at www.andersonmarsh.org .