State Parks & Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund
Act of 2010

From the vast stretches of sandy beaches along California’s
magnificent coastline to the towering redwoods and much needed recreational areas in the state’s bustling urban centers, California’s 278 state parks are priceless public assets and a vital legacy for our children and grandchildren.

But the State’s Parks are in Peril.
Budget cuts are starving state parks, causing them to fall severely behind in needed maintenance and repairs. Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down. Only last minute budget reprieves kept them open. But nearly 150 state parks were shut down part time or suffered deep service reductions because of budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected this year.

California’s parks are becoming less available to the public and are at serious risk of irreversible damage.

That is why a statewide ballot measure, slated for November 2010, has been prepared that would create the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund. The fund would provide a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding for the state park system, for wildlife conservation and for increased and equitable access to those resources for all Californians.

The initiative would give California vehicles free admission to the state parks in exchange for a new $18 vehicle license fee, which will be specifically dedicated to state parks and wildlife conservation. The surcharge would apply to most California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles, and would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee. It would not apply to larger commercial vehicles (those subject to the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act), mobile homes or permanent trailers.

The Californians for State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Committee has launched a signature‐gathering campaign in order to get the 477,000 valid signatures needed to qualify for the November 2010 statewide ballot. Early supporters include The Nature Conservancy, Peninsula Open Space Trust, California Travel Industry Association, Wildlands Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, Sierra Club California, Audubon California, Sempervirens Fund, California State Parks Foundation and Save the Redwoods League.

California State Parks in Peril Because of Chronic Underfunding…

• California’s parks, once considered the best in the nation, are falling apart because of chronic underfunding. Roofs and sewage systems leak, restrooms are not cleaned regularly, bridges have collapsed, trails are washed out, campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered and buildings and structures throughout the system are badly deteriorated.

• With no reliable source of funding, the state parks have accumulated a backlog of more than $1 billion in maintenance and repairs.

• Thousands of scenic acres are closed to the public because of reductions in park rangers, and crime has more than doubled. Destruction and vandalism of the parks themselves has grown fourfold, and beachgoers are often unprotected because of decreases in lifeguards.

• The parks are in such peril that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has named California state parks one of the 11 most endangered sites in America.

Protect State Parks and Wildlife by Creating a Conservation Trust Fund…

• To ensure Californians have the high‐quality, well‐maintained state park system they deserve, the proposed statutory measure would establish the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund in the state treasury where, by law, it could only be spent on state parks, wildlife conservation, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. The Legislature couldn’t reallocate the Trust Fund for other uses.

• Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee. Larger commercial vehicles (those subject to the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act), mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt.

• California vehicles subject to the State Park Access Pass surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would receive free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year, which currently costs as much as $125 for an annual pass or $10‐$15 per day. Out‐of‐state vehicles would continue to pay full entrance fees at parks.

• Trust Fund revenues would amount to approximately $500 million each year (based on about 28 million registered vehicles) and 85% would be allocated to state parks and 15% to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.

• With a new dedicated revenue stream in place, approximately $130 million of General Fund dollars ‐ that provide a portion of overall state parks funding ‐ would now be available for other vital needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety.

State Parks Strengthen the Economy and Serve as a Legacy for Future Generations…

• State parks strengthen the economy by attracting millions of tourists, who spend $4.32 billion annually in park‐related expenditures in California, according to a recent study. It found state parks visitors spend an average of $57.63 in surrounding communities per visit. They generate so much economic activity that every dollar the state spends on state parks generates another $2.35 for California’s treasury.

• Every year, there are nearly 80 million visits to state parks, where the abundance of outdoor activities entices visitors to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles. Parks contribute to public health by protecting forests and natural areas that are sources of clean air and water and by combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gases. They also protect the state’s wide diversity of plants and animals, preserve an unparalleled collection of historic and cultural assets and provide exciting educational opportunities for young and old alike.

Tough Fiscal & Accountability Safeguards to Protect the Voters’ Investment…

• The Trust Fund would be subject to an independent audit by the State Auditor every year. The findings would be released to the public, placed on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website and submitted to the State Legislature for review as part of the state budget.

• A Citizens’ Oversight Committee would be created to ensure funds from this measure are spent appropriately.

• Audit, oversight and administrative costs of this measure would be limited to just 1% of the annual revenues.

California State Parks Foundation on Big Blend Radio
'The Nature Connection' show on Big Blend Radio aired a special 1 hour segment about the State Parks & Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. To meet the rest of the guests and listen to the entire show, please click here. To listen to the segment about California State Parks, please double click on the Play Button below.


'The Nature Connection' Radio Show Guest Panel:

• Elizabeth Goldstein - President of California State Parks Foundation (CSPF). www.calparks.org

• Bonny Hawley - Executive Director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. www.ThatsMyPark.org

• Carolyn DeVinny - Communications Consultant & CSPF Board Advisory Trustee, Baldwin Hills State Park

• Patricia Vaughan Jones - Executive Director of Citizens for East Shore Parks. www.eastshorepark.org

• Lynne Haigh - Topanga Canyon Docents

• Michele Luna -  Executive Director of Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods. www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

• Nanci Sikes - Executive Director of Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau. www.TCVB.com

• Troy Corley, Editor & Publisher of CorleyGuide's Free Fun Guides. www.FreeFunGuides.com

For more information on the proposed ballot measure, please call 818.760.2121 or visit www.YesForStateParks.com.

Photos courtesy Mike Ryan&  Stephen Woodward, CSPF, Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, and Lisa Smith.