|
 A Word From Our President
You might recall from my last message that we've been very busy this spring coming off a successful Park Advocacy Day, Earth Day, and our fight against the proposed budget cuts that would have closed 48 state parks and reduced lifeguards on 16 popular beaches. I implored you to "keep up the drum beat" of protest and let your voices be heard by our policy makers. We were successful! On May 15th the Governor dropped his park closure proposal.
However, the fight is far from over. As just one significant measure of this, five days after the Governor's announcement, the National Trust for Historic Preservation also had an announcement—the California state park system, plagued by budget and maintenance shortfalls, was placed on the Trust's annual list of the nation's 11 most endangered historic places. This is a sobering honor. Although we applaud the Governor for the decision to restore funding to state parks, this is just another short term fix. It doesn't address the long-term funding needs of parks. But something else might do just that. CSPF has been working over the last several weeks to support the announcement of a new program: the California State Park Access Pass. Last week, Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), introduced this new program that will bring over $200 million annually in new funding to support the state park system, while providing free day-use access to California state parks.
The pass program creates a new funding stream by instituting a $10 surcharge on California vehicle license fees of all non-commercial vehicles and a subset of commercial vehicles in California. In exchange for paying the fee, residents will be provided free day-use access to virtually all state parks. Parks are finally being thrown the financial life preserver they've so desperately needed for decades. We believe a solution to the underlying fiscal crisis in our state park system is the only way to truly save our state parks. We are very pleased that Assemblymember Laird has introduced this program and we will be working closely with him to gain the Legislature's and Governor's support.
This proposal is truly a rare example of a win-win situation. The public wins by getting free access to their state parks—some 74 million visits yearly!—but also by generating funds that will improve and enhance the parks so that we'll all want to visit them more often. The state park system wins by having a source of funding that is stable and sustainable. Fresh from the news that state parks may be spared from the budget chopping block, the State Park Access Pass program is a way to ensure that they're never put in the chopping block again.
In the next weeks, the proposal will need to be adopted by the Conference Committee on the Budget, which will be comprised of members of the Assembly and the State Senate, and included in the Legislature's final budget proposal to Governor Schwarzenegger. The proposal requires the Governor's approval to become law.
A long-term solution is on the table. There is still much work to be done, but hope is in the air.
They heard your voices when the Governor proposed closing state parks, and we thank you. They need to hear your voices again to insure the State Parks Access Pass is given the serious consideration it deserves. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, please sign a letter to your state representatives letting them know you support the California State Parks Access Pass program. CSPF's Save Our State Parks Campaign had a huge influence on our recent budget victory. The SOS Campaign will continue as long as threats persist. Please go to our SOS Campaign website to register as a supporter of the campaign, and the California State Park Access Pass program.
The Park Access Pass Program and Your Membership: As this proposal is being debated, there will still be day-use entrance fees collected in California's state parks. Day-use and annual passes provided by CSPF to our members will still be valid forms of entry. Should the proposal become effective, Californians may be provided free day-use access on special days, weekends or throughout the year, depending on the final proposal adopted by the Legislature and Governor. At that time, CSPF will share information about free park access with you and address any outstanding questions about the impact of this program to your current benefits.
 We've Moved!
After 18 years working at the base of Mt. Tamalpais in Kentfield, we are moving our Headquarters a bit south across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco (our Southern California and Sacramento offices remain, and their contact information can be found on our website). We will be gaining more than square footage when we move this weekend. Our new space is built to sustainable/green design principals in a setting planned for energy efficiency, clean air and more. Lighting controls will dim overhead lights when our windows let in sufficient daylight. Interior finishes and furnishings were selected for their recycled or rapidly renewable content while bringing the colors of nature inside. Materials emitting irritating toxins were avoided so we can breathe deep and be healthy and productive in our new work place.
California State Parks Foundation
50 Francisco Street, Ste 110
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-262-4400 (general)
415-772-8969 (fax) | 
