California State Parks and Conservation Trust Fund Act – A November 2010 ballot Initiative to Save Our State Parks.

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

Marin Conservation League volunteers have been out in force collecting signatures necessary for the initiative to qualify for the ballot. (more at www.calparks.org).

MCL has a petition at the office. If you cannot gather signatures but would still like to sign a petition, please stop by: 1623A Fifth Ave., (at F) San Rafael.

Correspondence:

Click here to read MCL's letters to State Senator Leno and Assemblymember Jared Huffman regarding the governor's latest scheme involvingtrading oil leases for state park funding.

MCL opposed a proposal by the Transportation Authority of Marin 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. Read MCL's letter to TAM here.