California State Parks-debated June 11, 2009

June 11, 5:58 PMSF Lake Tahoe Travel ExaminerElizabeth Sedway

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by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

From 2:50p to 3:25 on June 11th, the Budget Conference Committee heard from the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) about the pros and cons associated with the closure of California State Parks. 

The  Budget Conference Committee has been the legislative committee charged with coming up with alternatives to  Governor Schwarzenegger's May revision proposals  to the California State Budget.  During recent hearing of the Budget Conference Committee, the committee has looked to the LAO for facts surrounding the proposed budget cuts.  Perhaps most significantly, the committee also considers recommendations made by the LAO concerning what cuts should be made to the California State Budget.

The Governor proposed eliminating $70 million (about one-half) of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s General Fund this year.  He further proposed that all General Fund support for state parks ($143.4 million) would be eliminated in subsequent years. The Governor’s proposal provides that this would result in the closure of about 80 percent of state parks; parks remaining open would generally be those that can rely on self generated fee revenues or boating or off-highway vehicle gas taxes for their funding support.

As an alternative to the Governor's proposed closure of California State Parks, the LAO proposes: 

Keep all parks open, but create $12.5 million of General Fund savings in budget year by increasing state park fees to adjust for inflation.

The LAO acknowledged to the committee today that $25 million would result from raising fees.  This amount does not make up the $70 million proposed to be cut.

The cost of temporarily closing state parks, or "mothballing" was raised, in the form of a question, by the committee.  No precise amounts were presented by the LAO in response to this inquiry by the committee.  Senator Mark Leno expressed concern about the actions of squatters, homeless and those entering state parks illegally.  Among his concerns was that people will start fires, but no one will be there to monitor these activities.  The LAO acknowledged, if someone is injured or killed in a closed California State Park, California would face liability.  No projected amount, either in defense costs or otherwise, was offered by the LAO.

Notably absent from the facts provided to the committee by the LAO were any definitive numbers concerning the financial impact of closing California State Parks.  While a representative of the Legislative Analyst's Office testified today that the State of California would not see a significant economic impact if the parks are closed, several committee members pointed out that their local governments and community businesses would suffer profoundly, if the parks in their areas were closed.

Perhaps informative on the issue of economic impact in the event of state park closures is a survey taken from fall 2007 to February 2009 by California State University, Sacramento, Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration.  Preliminary findings of this survey, commissioned and funded by the California Parks and Recreation Department, are that park visitors spend an average of $57.63 per visit, including $24.63 inside state parks and nearby communities, and $33 in communities more than 25 miles from the park being visited.  The survey further indicates, of the visitors surveyed, 11.95 percent were non-residents of California, and their average spending per person was $184.91. Based on the calculated $4.32 billion in park-related visitor expenditures per year, $1.66 billion is generated by non-residents of California.  A statement, posted on the university's website summarizes:

Preliminary findings from a recent Sacramento State survey found that visitors to California’s state parks spend an average of $4.32 billion per year in park-related expenditures, based on attendance estimates by state Parks and Recreation of about 74.9 million visitors a year.

When speaking of State Park closures, Senator Leno said, "We cannot let this happen"   He suggested a $9 fee per California registered car could save the parks.  Senator Bob Dutton did not embrace the idea of an additional fee or tax, suggesting instead the state consider working with foundations and local governments to see what these parties can do to fund state parks.  Assemblymember Kevin de León suggested taking a portion of the existing gas tax and applying that to keep state parks open. 

No motion was made with regard to the potential closure of California State Parks today.  The matter was held over for further discussion by the Budget Conference Committee.

The following California State Parks between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe will remain open, or not, depending upon the action taken by the California State Legislature:  California State Capitol Museum, Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, State Indian Museum State Historic Park, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, D. L. Bliss State Park, Donner Memorial State Park, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Empire Mine State Historic Park and Kings Beach State Recreation Area. 

The California State Controller, has emphasized, to the Governornor and the Legislature, the essential nature of approving a budget by June 15th.  This week, the Budget Conference Committee has been hearing public testimony on these proposed cuts.  To submit written testimony to the Budget Conference Committee, fax your Comment Card to:  (916) 319-2199.

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