- Lake County News reports
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Evans and Simitian sustainable parks proposal gets budget approval
On Wednesdsay Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 voted to approve and adopt the staff recommendation amendments of the “Sustainable Parks Proposal” that was introduced May 8 by State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
The budget proposal would keep open up to 50 state parks slated for closure this year while providing a stable and long-term funding solution that will keep all parks open.
As many as 70 state parks – including Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake – had been slated for closure beginning July 1, 2012.
The essence of the Sustainable Parks Proposal consists of providing assistance to nonprofit partners working for operating agreements for state parks and finding “new ways of working” in the parks, including allowing parks to become more entrepreneurial and allowing more personnel flexibility.
It also would access up to $173 million of existing funding sources over several years that may be appropriately used for park purposes.
Annually, funds can be up to $10 million a year of existing funds collected the Motor Vehicle Account, $21 million from the Local Assistance Program and $10 million annually from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, and $10 million from bond money.
The Sustainable Parks Proposal now waits for the Assembly Budget Committee to move ahead with their measure.
“Closing our state parks will not save the state money,” said Evans. “However, if the administration continues to move in that direction, this proposal would prevent closures this year and develop a solution-oriented and sustainable long term funding plan to keep parks in the public trust for generations to come.”
“These are hard times, filled with hard budget choices,” said Simitian. “But I continue to think that putting a ‘closed’ sign on 70 state parks is unacceptable. It’s fundamentally ill-conceived. We can do better.”
The proposal also would give Californians voluntary opportunities to support the parks. Under the proposal, Californians could purchase a specialty parks license plate for a fee and give a voluntary donation at the time of their vehicle renewal.
“This continues to be a solid proposal that will set the financial foundation for saving our parks,” said Evans. “In the short term, we will be able to keep most of our parks open this year, and in the long run, it will help make our park system stronger and more creative.”
Last May, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that 70 parks would close due to budget cuts.
Since then, nonprofit organizations and the public, as well as local and federal agencies, have stepped up efforts to find ways to fund the parks – many signing operating agreements with the state – and the number of parks slated to shut dropped to 54 last month.
Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association also is engaged in negotiations to operate Anderson Marsh, as Lake County News has reported.
To help encourage these community efforts, the proposal would also include extending liability coverage to local and nonprofit agencies that work in partnership to manage the parks.
Evans is the author of two bills complimentary to the Sustainable Parks Proposal. SB 974 requires transparency and public involvement in future closures and a planning process to reopen parks, while SB 1078 helps focus DPR on innovative revenue generation projects.
A full copy of the eight-point ‘Sustainable Parks Proposal,’ may be found below or at http://sd02.senate.ca.gov/ .
Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the Counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
050812 Evans and Simitian Sustainable Parks Proposal