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State Parks Closures, Cuts Proposed in 2008-09 State Budget
In January, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a major cutback in the budget of the California Department of Parks and Recreation in an effort to balance the state budget.
The following summary was provided by state parks:
The plan, which undoubtedly will be the subject of much debate between the governor and Legislature for the next five months, is to close 43 existing state parks. Two other parks in the state would be partially shut and three others that have not yet been opened would remain closed, bringing the total number to 48.
The proposal to shutter the parks comes after years of cost cutting, staff reductions and lack of maintenance in the parks department, including a loss of 572 positions in the mid-1990s. The state parks have $1.2 billion in deferred maintenance on the books, according to park administrators.
California's parks were already operating on little more than a shoestring when the order came down from the governor's office to make a 10 percent cut, said Ruth Coleman, the state parks director. "There is no choice but to absorb the cut by closing some parks so we can leave others untouched," she said. "We're keeping 230 parks open in good condition."
Coleman said the parks slated for closure were chosen based on how many people visited them annually and how much revenue they brought into the state. She said there also had to be a way to close them down, either by gating their access roads, closing their parking lots or locking their doors.
The governor's proposed budget includes money for rangers to patrol the closed parks for illegal fires or camping. It's doubtful rangers would try to prevent people from hiking through on existing trails, but Coleman said a lot of the details are still being worked out.
In all, $13.3 million would be cut out of the parks budget and 136 permanent positions would be eliminated.
The decision came as a great blow to the largest state park system in the nation, but the real tragedy, according to regular park visitors, is that outdoor recreation and the enjoyment of nature are being sacrificed because they don't make enough of a buck.
See a longer state parks fact sheet on the budget
LINKS TO MORE STATE PARKS BUDGET NEWS ...
Sacramento Bee Editorial: State Parks Should Approve Plan to Help State Parks (June 17, 2008)
San Jose Mercury News: Parks in Peril With Money Tight Repair Needs Mount (May 25, 2008)
San Jose Mercury News: Could $10 DMV Fee Pay for Parks? (May 25, 2008)
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