California State Parks Foundation Statement on Oil Drilling Announcement

Governor withdraws proposal that would have provided support for state parks through oil-drilling money

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has withdrawn his support for the Tranquillon Ridge offshore drilling project, which was originally proposed in the 2010-11 state budget. This proposal would have eliminated core public funding for California’s 278 state parks and replaced it with uncertain funding from an oil drilling project off the Southern California coast. The oil drilling proposal would have provided temporary funding to California’s treasured parks where a permanent funding source is clearly required. With this withdrawal of the Tranquillon Ridge proposal, the Governor’s current budget for 2010-11 contains no general fund money for state parks.

“This is yet another example of the continuing budget rollercoaster facing our state parks system,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, President of CSPF. “It took the Gulf of Mexico disaster to make the Governor open his eyes to the dangers of offshore oil drilling. We have said from the beginning that this is not a viable solution for state parks funding. The threat of park closures over the last two years has shown that our state parks system needs a long-term, stable funding solution.”

CSPF has worked hard to find a long-term sustainable funding tool for State Parks. It is a lead supporter of the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, which is slated to appear on the ballot in November 2010. This initiative will provide adequate funding for state parks in perpetuity, removing the threat of park closures once and for all.  By establishing a new, dedicated funding source, the measure directs new revenues from an $18 vehicle surcharge to replace current General Fund support for the state park system, freeing up $130 million annually for other state budget purposes. In return for Californians’ investment in their world-renowned state park system, the Act provides free day-use access to state parks for Californians. Nothing of the Tranquillon Ridge proposal provided such long-term and sustainable solutions for the financial woes of our state park system. 

The state parks initiative has seen a groundswell of support from a broad and diverse coalition of organizations and individuals.  Early supporters include the California Travel Industry Association, California Lodging Industry Association, Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, California Public Health Association – North, California Action for Healthy Kids, California State Lifeguard Association, California State Park Rangers Association, The Nature Conservancy, California State Parks Foundation, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Save the Redwoods League, Audubon California, CA/NV Conference of Operating Engineers, Surfrider Foundation, The Trust for Public Land, William C. Velasquez Institute, Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, Anahuak Youth Sports Association and Wildlands Conservancy.  For an entire list of supporters, visit www.YesForStateParks.com/supporters/supporters-list.

About CSPF

With over 115,000 members, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) is the only statewide independent nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. CSPF is committed to improving the quality of life for all Californians by expanding access to the natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities offered by California’s 278 state parks—the largest state park system in the United States. For more information about California’s state parks, visit www.calparks.org.