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 State Park Access Pass Update
The constitutional deadline of June 15 to pass a state budget has come and gone, as has the start of the state's fiscal year on July 1. And yet, no state budget. As legislative leaders continue discussions and negotiations, the State Park Access Pass (SPAP) proposal remains the most significant proposal available to increase stable, sustainable funding for state parks while providing an incredible benefit to Californians – free day use access to our state parks. At the time of writing this edition of the E-News, leaders in the Senate and Assembly are just starting to unveil broad budget proposals to address the state's deficit. Assemblymember John Laird, the sponsor of the SPAP proposal, has suggested moving the SPAP into a separate piece of legislation as a way to keep the spotlight on this valuable proposal, given that the budget process is a very fluid one in Sacramento.
While state budget negotiations lumber on, newspapers around California have expressed editorial support for the proposal, including the Sacramento Bee, San Bernardino Sun, Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News, and more. This support from the general media clearly shows the commonsense approach that the SPAP takes toward addressing decades of underfunding in our state parks.
While the media support is helpful, legislators also need to hear directly from their constituents. If you haven't yet taken action in support of the SPAP, please take a moment and send your legislators a message showing your support for this much-needed proposal to save our state parks.
 CSPF's SOS Campaign Joins MySpace & Facebook
The Save Our State Parks Campaign is growing stronger with the help of MySpace.com and Facebook.com! These social networking sites are helping us to reach out and stay connected with park supporters throughout California and beyond. We will be using both MySpace and Facebook pages to help park supporters stay up-to-date with the latest Save Our State Parks Campaign news and developments.
Join us on MySpace.com! We already have over 1,500 MySpace friends- are you one of them? If not please visit our page today and add us! Help us spread the word about the campaign by putting Save Our State Parks in your "top friends" list.
Become a fan and/or our friend on Facebook.com! If you are on Facebook – there are two ways to stay connected to the campaign. Not only can you add us as a friend, but you can also become a fan! Visit our fan page.
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Mt. Tamalpais State Park
© Rob Dweck |
Keep It Local This Summer
It is everywhere in the news: soaring gas prices are forcing Californians to reconsider their summer travel plans. An easy and economical alternative to long distance driving is to keep it local. And, there is no better local option than your nearby state park. "Now more than ever," says Ambassador L. W. "Bill" Lane, Jr., a CSPF Trustee Emeritus, "it makes sense to explore your state parks. With 278 options throughout the state, there is a park within 30 minutes of every Californian, or closer. Also, for many, a good walk or bicycle ride is a healthy alternative to driving to your park of choice for day visits." To find the state park closest to you, go online, pick a park, make reservations, and get packing!
 Check Out Our New Look Online
How does our new website look to you? Please let us know what you think about the new look and any suggestions you may have. We are constantly updating our website and anything you suggest will help us make the website better and easier to use. Thanks in advance!
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Anza-Borrego Desert
State Park
© Steve Sieren |
Sunrise Powerlink Project Delayed
In an unexpected turn of events, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has decided to delay its decision on the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project by four months to the end of the year. The proposed project bisects Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in eastern San Diego County with 130 to 155-foot tall multi-line transmission towers.
The timeline was revised due to vital new information received after the release of the original Draft Environmental Impact Report. A proposed new project from Sempra called La Rumorosa Wind Power Project, located in Mexico, was not fully considered in the original DEIR. Details about this project were re-circulated to all the participants in early July. After a 45-day comment period, a preliminary verdict will be released by the Administrative Law Judge in October. The CPUC will render their final decision as early as November and no later than the end of the year.
 Southern California Hearing Set for Toll Road Appeal
Supporters of San Onofre State Beach will once again have their say! The U.S. Department of Commerce has set a date for a public hearing on the toll road proposed to go through the heart of San Onofre State Beach, California's fifth most-visited state park. Representatives of the Department of Commerce will hear public testimony on the toll road proposal, which was defeated by the California Coastal Commission in February. The toll road backers have appealed that decision to the federal government under provisions of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.
The hearing will be held on July 25 at the Bren Events Center at the University of California at Irvine, in Orange County. (Address: 100 Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA 92697) Testimony will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10:30 a.m. and is expected to run until 8:30 p.m.
Your support is critical to demonstrate the strength of millions of Californians who appreciate and cherish San Onofre State Beach! Members of the public will be able to speak and will be allotted up to 3 minutes to express their views on the toll road proposal and appeal. CSPF members are encouraged to attend the event and make their voices, and the voices of thousands of other CSPF members who cannot travel to Irvine for the meeting, be heard loud and clear. For more information, contact us. | 
