California state parks said to face biggest threat in 150-year history

How would you feel if nearly all of California's state parks were to close and become off-limits? 

Sadly, eliminating funding for the expansive parks system is one of many extreme measures Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to enact to help reduce the state's downward-spiraling budget deficit. Just as sadly, it's one of many examples of citizens being penalized for the state's inability to balance a checkbook.

You might recall the governor as being no fan of the outdoors. He threatened to close 48 parks and 16 state beaches, at meager savings, early in 2008. He supported an ill-fated plan to build a toll road through San Onofre State Beach.

Now, facing a projected $24.3-billion budget shortfall, his back is against the wall and he has again aimed his bazookas at those vast parcels of wilderness that afford such a treasured refuge for millions of citizens seeking to escape the chaos of civilization, if only briefly, to rejuvenate body and mind.

Beginning July 1, the governor plans to cut core funding for 279 parks in half (by $70 million), and during the next fiscal year he intends to cut all funding. If the cuts are approved by the Legislature, more than 200 parks could be forced to close.

Without staffing and human traffic, trails will vanish and homeless encampments and illegal pot farms might take root. (Do not expect enforcement of no-trespassing ordinances.) Fire danger might substantially increase and that could, in turn, lead to lawsuits against the state.

The California State Parks Foundation, which is lobbying to keep funding open, states that the general fund budget utilized by state parks accounts "for less than one-tenth of one percent of the entire state budget" and if that's true then the meager savings do not justify the action.

 

Elizabeth Goldstein, Cal Parks president, called the measures "awful and draconian." She points out that more than 80 million people visited state parks last year and that for every dollar that funds the parks, $2.35 is returned to the state's general fund via economic activities in nearby communities.

"That means eliminating all funding for state parks could actually result in the state losing over $350 million in revenue," Goldstein said in a website posting. Goldstein said this is the greatest threat the state parks system has faced in its 150-year history, and urges those wanting to learn more and join the fight to keep funding in place to visit the website.

As someone who appreciates the importance of maintaining state parks in such a cluttered society, I hope common sense prevails and that they're allowed to remain open.

-- Pete Thomas

Top photo: Deer wander through a meadow at Topanga State Park. Credit: Michael Robinson Chavez. Bottom photo: Rock resembles a whale at Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel. Credit: Pete Thomas/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[costa rica real estate]

thank you very much for the information given to me and get me out of many questions that had my family and friends are visiting this page every day thanks

[concerned citizen]

The ability to enjoy the natural resources of our country has been a heritage of it's citizens for generations. President T. Roosevelt a great lover of the outdoors realized that preserving the outdoors for generations to come was an obligation of his office. Presedent F D Roosevelt created many of the structures and trails we enjoy in our national parks today during the great depression using young persons particpating in thre CCC program. Prehaps we can learn from the past and put people to work preserving our national resources by providing jobs and self esteem as FDR did in out California State Parks.

[Cheryl]

Its too expensive to visit the parks,now. They have every nice bit of land that used to be free to visit-now-you pay the state to visit. Let them be closed to open, again, free to the public like 50 plus years, ago. Families could afford to go to the beach and mtns and, not pay a fortune to state employees and the state-its been WAY to expensive and off-limits to dogs etc for years,now. And, they still aren't safe, anyway.

[STOPPAYINGFORILLEGALS]

Brittanicus is 100% right on target, NINE BILLION is used to fund people who should not be here!!! The fields should be picked using mechanized equipment that can be developed and many fields crops are now being sown and harvested using mechinical devices. Keeping illegal's here is a ploy for the democrats to stay in office as they are the ones who have ignored our voice when we in california by a landslide margin voted for prop. 187 which would have done away with social services to lawbreakers and that is what illegal aliens are!!!!

State Parks has been around for 150 yrs. and is now threatened solely due to the cost of funding illegal immigrants. 1/10 of 1 percent will be of no value when business and local government suffer the consequence.

DEPORT NOW!!!!

[Bozo]

If we legalized marijuana, then we wouldn't be able to throw some weeds in your car and haul you off to jail.

[Mortamus]

Why don't you guys legalize marijuana and get out of debt?

People in jail costs money

Putting people in jail for pot is really stupid

Get samart and get with it now

[Loves Hiking]

The state parks are so beautiful...and now they will be developed fully when you see that even brother-in-laws and Hollywood Icons are fired for trying to keep the state Parks for the People! Its time to tell Sacramento NO.
Here is a link I found on line....I am not connected...but it may be a way to show our collective voice across the state.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/save-california-state-parks-from-closure

[Shanti shanti]

when will we stand, united in peace and in justice and put our collective feet "down". no more lies, no more figure heads, no more hypocrisy, and no more elected officials who back those special interests that view power as external?

if we know the truth as so many of you appear to, why do we not form and ensure that what is right, ethical, and conscious remains so? do we have such little reverence for what is right and for our precious planet that we cowtow and bend and complain without positive action?

[Primera Vista]

So, Arnie decides he wants to enforce a 1999 law with the development of Marine Protective Areas along our coastline to prevent fishing www.keepamericafishing.org The MLPAI will cost the state 34 million dollars a year to manage. Now, he is proposing regional closures to our state parks due to our budegt deficit. This makes perfect sense... I feel bad for whoever voted for this nut job.

[playoutside]

We really do have problems in CA, and if cutting funding to parks helps I think we should try to find other solutions to maintain the parks. The volunteer comment was great, and there is a large population that uses the "natural resources" that California offers. If you hike or back pack, then take a few trail maintenance days a year. There is a large push in the climbing community to give back and maintain the resource. Maybe this is a solution? I grew up in Idaho and we had little of the comforts that CA state parks provide. The state maintained the trail head.........and maybe an erosion control area on a few trails. A lot of work was done by Boy Scouts and other user groups, coordinated through the FS. When we are talking about financial reform, every nickel counts. I don't think closing the parks is the right answer, but I also don't think that the current management plan is effective either. Cut the budget down to volunteer coordinators and a small group of traveling maintenance professionals. There are also too many rangers in the field. Yeah we need them, but we don't need two at every post. Self paid parking works fine. Don't close the parks, just redesign the management plan.

[Bozo]

Good point. If you oust the illegal aliens, the parks will be safer at night.

[Mike Barlow]

I understand the need to cut costs, but making the land off limits to public use is a mistake. The state should tap scouting groups, rotary clubs, volunteer search and rescue teams, and environmental groups to make sure that the land is safe and accessible. There is a vast untapped resource in volunteer groups in California.

[Rachel]

A California Special Interest license plate to support our gracious and much loved state parks is in order. Forms to purchase these plates should be available at each California State Park ranger kiosk as well as DMV offices and any place camping equipment is sold. This would provide some financing accomplish what Sacramento most understands: a cash vote.

[mariejoy]

Perfect example of why we shouldn't be financing illegals in extitlements, jail, hospitals, schools etc to the tune of trillions. WE CAN'T AFFORD THEM, STUPID.

[Bozo]

>>

Unsafe according to a nanny state that wants to regulate and tax every aspect of life.

The massive nanny state machine requires mega money that is no longer available. The economic collapse has just started. When the $600 trillion dollars of derivatives pops, you're going to be sitting there with your mouth hanging open and maybe you'll forget to barricade off the parks from the people.

The more you try to protect people from themselves, the less capable they become of being able to protect themselves.

Open up the parks and pay only for garbage collection and controlled burning. Get rid of the busy bodies who got their college degrees in forestry hoping to live out a life in paradise at the taxpayers' expense.

[Maryannie]

The areas designated as "day use" are closed at sundown because they are unsafe in the dark, and the State does not have enough funding for enough Park Rangers to monitor each "day use" park overnight. It's a very different world than it was 50 years ago.

[keith]

did the Gov'nor sell the parks already?

[Bozo]

The parks would be a lot more enjoyable without the nuisance state employees chasing everyone out when the sun goes down. Let it go back to the way it was fifty years ago. Shut down the money train and open up the parks.

[Danielle]

In an overcrowded and dreadfully polluted city, the state parks are some of the very few sanctuaries for Los Angeles residents. Decreased state park funding would strike a major blow for those seeking to enjoy natural beauty (something hard to come by in this city).

[JReece]

A sad story, but the state must preserve funding for California's most highly valued groups: prison guards, other unionized public employees, and illegal aliens. In that order.

[Sam Taylor Jr.]

If there is no budget money for state parks, the solution, although distasteful, is obvious: state parks must pay their own way, through added or increased use-fees. It sucks, but them's the breaks when your economy falls through the cellar floor...

[Realties Last Stand]

Whoah. Who let the crazy minutemen, free republicans, Rush Narcobots take over the comments? Newsflash: barely anyone reads the news anymore, even fewer read the comments... you whackjobs are basically screaming in your basements. Carry on.

[Eddie]

Sadly, Gene Venable, when you're off for an adventure with the family and see No Tresspassing, Violators will be Prosecuted, do you usually say "Honey, grab the kids, we're going exploring?"

Most people trespassing in a closed park probably won't be hikers. As the article suggests, expect homeless shantytowns and illegal pot farms: not families hopping the fences for weekend adventure and wilderness exploration.

I take it you're not an avid hiker - because from experience I can say that many trails in the Santa Monica Mountains nearly disappear every winter with decreased foot traffic in the cool months. It takes hikers who know the trails and the efforts of the park officers to re-cut these paths. Left alone for a couple years, I dare say that many could be retaken by the landscape.

[echo]

Uh, Brittanicus, are you really sure that "our children" really want to work the fields, take care of kids, and dig ditches during their summer breaks? Do you really want to know who is taking your precious summer jobs away from the kids? It's the elderly! Yeah, they have to supplement their retirement funds and pay for their health/medical bills in some way, so they go back to part-time work. Stop being a fear monger, pay attention to what's going on with our uninformed electorate, and support progressive ideas, civility, and fair taxes.

[guity]

I'm pretty sure Arnold can make the point that the small amount of money formerly directed at state parks is less of a priority than the money for sick people at risk who are also losing funding, so "vindictive" wouldn't stick in this case.

Even people who should have known better seemed to want to see what would happen if a huge chunk of California's budget was simply sliced away. Now we will find out, for better or worse...