Greetings!
I decided to reprint an Op-Ed publish yesterday (6/16/2012) in the Press Democrat. As Treasurer of this organization, I'm eager to see if a strong community organization can operate state parks well. If you see an embedded window below hat doesn't do anything, ignore it. I'm working on including a Google Earth flyover tour to display the locations of the iron rangers n the coast.
Solutions for Keeping YOUR State
Parks Open
Stewards of the Coast and
Redwoods has a solution-based approach to keeping our western Sonoma County
state parks open. With Austin Creek SRA on the closure list and service
reductions at Sonoma Coast SP, Stewards and State Parks convened two meetings
in early June to engage the public in discussions of how we can work together
to keep our State Parks open and accessible.
There has been public
outcry regarding new parking fees at some Sonoma Coast SP locations. Stewards
is not taking a position on the new fees. We have constituents who are
vehemently opposed, and others who think it’s time Sonoma County implements
fees that have been in place for years in other coastal areas including our own
Regional Parks. There are concerns about limiting access for those in need and traffic
issues. Others see that fees paid by over 2 million out-of-town visitors could increase
support and prevent further decline of our parks.
Stewards is focusing on giving the
public factual information,
a voice in the process and working on solutions for keeping your parks open.
Stewards will be signing an
operating agreement with State Parks to keep Austin Creek open, made possible
by AB42 (Huffman). With a $56,000 grant awarded by the California State Parks
Foundation (CSPF), camping and day-use fees, donations, new partnerships and
programs, Stewards will reopen Bull Frog Pond Campground, provide park
protection, public assistance and trail maintenance utilizing volunteers.
The solutions for
reopening closed areas on Sonoma Coast are more complex. The direction to
charge new fees by Sacramento, the failure of Proposition 21 and the current $22
million general fund cut has resulted in many service reductions at coastal
parks.
Since 1979, the State Park budget has decreased by
67%, with 37% of that reduction in
the past six years. These cuts have come during a time when park visitation is
at an all-time high.
Please realize the
Governor’s November tax measure will NOT
restore any funding for State Parks.
In fact, if it does NOT pass, the
triggers will result in cutting lifeguards and a 20% reduction in rangers. Few would disagree that a
dedicated sustainable funding source is needed to keep all 279 parks open and
address the $1.3 billion deferred maintenance backlog.
What are the solutions? Our
legislators are proposing budget amendments (Evans/Simitian) and legislation
(Evans and Huffman) to help State Parks and their partners, like Stewards, who
are stepping up to keep our local parks open. While appreciated, their help is not
enough.
The CSPF is providing
technical assistance to nonprofits and continues to provide ways for
Californians to advocate for their parks. In Sonoma County, the Parks Alliance
for Sonoma County, a group of over 20 agencies and organizations have succeeded
in keeping their five local State Parks open for at least another year. The
local community of Jenner is donating to keep the Jenner Visitor Center and restrooms
open.
If new fees are
implemented, Stewards feels strongly that those fees need to stay local. Free
day-use passes for Russian River area State Parks are available by volunteering
16 hours a year in programs supported by Stewards. 200 hours provides a
statewide pass. There are affordable park passes available for Californians who
are low-income, disabled, seniors and veterans of war. A reasonable pass for
Sonoma County residents is needed.
Keeping our parks open will
require legislation, donations, new partnerships, volunteers and advocacy.
Michele Luna
Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
