California state park supporters are gathering signatures in the hope of putting a statewide measure on the November ballot, aiming to provide a stable source of funding for the parks.
The California State Park Ranger Association, in cooperation with the Empire Mine, South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins state park associations, is holding a training session for volunteers interested in helping to collect signatures.
The training will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room, 908 Helling Way, Nevada City.
The State Parks and Wildlife Conversation Trust Fund Act of 2010, also referred to as the State Park Access Pass, would be funded by an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on California vehicles.
It is estimated the fund would generate about $500 million each year, of which 85 percent would be allocated to state parks and 15 percent to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.
Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks throughout the year. Park visitors now pay up to $125 for an annual pass or $10 to $15 per day at most parks. Out-of-state vehicles would continue to pay full entrance fees at parks.
For more information on the measure, visit the California State Parks Foundation Web site at www.calparks.org. For more information on the training, call CSPRA President Pam Armas at (916) 320-9126.
I love our California State Parks and would not want to see them close. But until our State Government learns to operate within it's income bounds, I cannot support another increase in "taxation without representation".
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