Proposed Ballot Measure Filed to Protect California State Parks & Conserve Wildlife
California State Parks are falling apart because of chronic underfunding. Budget cuts are causing state parks to fall severely behind in needed maintenance and repairs -- a backlog of nearly $1 billion already exists. Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of closure. Only a last-minute budget reprieve kept them open. But nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part-time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year's budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected next year. California parks are becoming less available to the public and are at serious risk of irreversible damage.
The ballot measure would protect state parks and conserve wildlife by establishing the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund in the state treasury where, by law, it could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks throughout the year. Californians will no longer pay day‐use fees at any state parks. In comparison, park visitors currently pay up to $125 for an annual pass or $10‐$15 per day at most parks. Out‐of‐state vehicles would continue to pay full entrance fees at parks.
The California State Parks Foundation needs your help! Signatures of California registered voters are needed in order to qualify this initiative for the 2010 ballot. If you would like to either sign a petition to help qualify the initiative for the 2010 ballot or help collect signatures please contact Lyn Nafzgar, PESPA President at 530-836-1182 or [email protected]
For more information see http://www.calparks.org/
The ballot measure would protect state parks and conserve wildlife by establishing the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund in the state treasury where, by law, it could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks throughout the year. Californians will no longer pay day‐use fees at any state parks. In comparison, park visitors currently pay up to $125 for an annual pass or $10‐$15 per day at most parks. Out‐of‐state vehicles would continue to pay full entrance fees at parks.
The California State Parks Foundation needs your help! Signatures of California registered voters are needed in order to qualify this initiative for the 2010 ballot. If you would like to either sign a petition to help qualify the initiative for the 2010 ballot or help collect signatures please contact Lyn Nafzgar, PESPA President at 530-836-1182 or [email protected]
For more information see http://www.calparks.org/