Non-profits allowed to take over some Cal state park operations

California's Governor, Jerry Brown, has signed off on a bill that will allow non profit groups to take over operating a quarter of the state's budget plagued parks. After threatening to close 70 of the lowest visited parks in the Golden State, park users are heaving a collective sigh of relief.

"We're thrilled the governor has signed the legislation and we look forward to forward to working with state parks to keep the doors to the Mission open," said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Hawley's comments were reported in the Mercury News. She represents a group that will work hard to keep the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park operating, to the tune of nearly $100,000 a year. The group says it will raise the funds through donations.

Popular parks didn't appear to be immediately threatened under the Governor's threats. Friends groups say the parks most likely to be closed are the ones hardest to keep open from a financial standpoint, generally historic parks. These often have buildings with maintenance woes, and with fewer visitors, the state isn't as interested in pumping money into upkeep.

California holds 1.3 million of acres in state parks. Parks operations have an annual budget of $845 million, about $123 million of which comes from the state's general fund.

Santa Cruz Mission photo: wikipedia.org

California State Parks needs help from voters

California State Parks narrowly missed massive closures this past year due to the fiscal crisis and a diminishing budget. Hoping not to be doomed to the same fate as the Arizona State Parks, California State Parks and other organizations have created the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.

This measure, if it receives the required 430,000 signatures, will be placed on the November 2010 ballot. This will possibly determine the destiny of the park system well into the future.

The act would add $18 to California's annual vehicle licensing fees raising about $500 million each year for state parks, wildlife, and some other projects.

The $500 million would be split 85 percent to state parks and 15 percent to the other conservation efforts,such as the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and California Tahoe Conservancy.

In return for their votes, California vehicle owners would get free day admission to all state parks, year-round, with two or three uses covering the extra license fee.

Volunteers sought to collect signatures for State Park Access Pass act

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.