On Tuesday, August 10, a public informational hearing will be held at the State Capitol on Prop 21, the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.

Marin Conservation League and the California State Parks Foundation are organizing supporters to attend the hearing, to help send a strong message of support. We are hoping to show the broad range of growing support for Prop 21 that includes park users, park volunteers, recreation enthusiasts and environmental organizations, as well as members of the business, education, health and public safety communities.

The hearing is being held jointly by the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee. During this constitutionally required hearing, a panel of speakers will provide testimony in support and in opposition to Prop 21 and will answer questions from committee members regarding the initiative. Following the panel discussion, the hearing will be open to public comment.

We urge you, your friends and neighbors, your family and colleagues, to attend this hearing.

We have set up an online RSVP to join our group of park supporters on August 10.

RSVP Link: http://my.calparks.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Prop21_Hearing .

Hope to see you in Sacramento on August 10!

Background:

Twice in the past 2 years, the Governor has threatened to close California’s State Parks due to the severe State budget shortfall.  Wide public support for our parks and diligent efforts have met with limited success in the legislature: 80 percent of the system remains open to the public, but with extensive cutbacks in season and/or hours of operation and services.  The persistent threat of more cuts in the future remains.   Marin County’s six state parks have been variously hit by the cuts; two parks adjacent to Pt. Reyes National Seashore have been temporarily rescued from weekday closure by federal funds from the National Park Service

Working with other environmental and conservation organizations across the State, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) has taken the lead in filing ballot language for an initiative that would create a stable funding source.  A California State Parks Conservation Trust Fund would be established by placing an annual State Park Access Pass surcharge of $18. on every California vehicle license.  The Access Pass would allow California drivers free access to all parks (not including overnight camping and special events).  Out of state users would pay the full entrance fee. The revenues would provide the funds needed to adequately support the state park system, including much deferred maintenance projects

2010 Documents and Correspondence

• March 9, 2010 - MCL letter to the Transportation Authority of Marin opposing its plan to place a $10 per vehicle registration fee for Marin County on the November 2010 ballot, as this would dilute the voter support for such fees.
• January 12, 2010 - MCL's letters to State Senator Leno and Assemblymember Jared Huffman regarding the governor's latest scheme (since abandoned due to the Deepwater Horizon oil catastrophe) involving trading oil leases for state park funding.

• May 29, 2009 - MCL Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger regarding funding for State Parks

• May 12, 2008 - MCL letter to Governor Schwarzenegger regarding proposed State Park Closures