State Parks Fiasco

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Forwarding the message.

 

There is one item on the list that you may not agree with.

 

Enjoy life and smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature in the City State Parks ALERT

 

 

 

 

 

 

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URL into your browser: http://natureinthecity.org/StateParkALERT_Aug09.html

 

 

 

 

 

Wither and die the California dream?

Our golden state now ranks 50th in the nation in per pupil public education

spending, while our state's prison industrial complex is bursting at the seams

with non-violent marijuana smokers and poor teens who, my goodness!, are

interested in the birds and the bees. Social services were cut absolutely

drastically in this fiscal year's REGRESSIVE budget.

In the end, our Governator cut by $14.2 million, California State Parks.

An estimated 100 State Parks will have to close their doors, in spite of the

fact that, collectively, they generate over twice as much economically as they

cost the taxpayers. Don't you just love public policy?

 

See below for the latest news from the California State Parks Foundation.

Stay tuned to natureinthecity.org for any updates or any news on a closure

list.

Candlestick Point State Park Boundary

 

Senate Bill 792 (Leno)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Hardy, San Francisco Chronicle

 

 

District 10 Supervisor Sophie Maxwell et al wrote an Open Forum piece in

the Chronicle this morning regarding State Senator Mark Leno's legislation to

trim Candlestick Point State Recreation Area as part of the redevelopment of

Bayview-Hunter's Point. Socially and ecologically sustainable redevelopment of

coastal Bayview-Hunter's Point is a tremendous opportunity for southeast San

Francisco to have its own Crissy Field.

 

The article made an error by saying that " a small but vocal band opposes

the bill. " In fact, our understanding from speaking today with other local

environmentalists is that negotiations are literally ongoing among

representatives of the environmental community, the City and Mark Leno. We hope

the final incarnation of SB 792 thoroughly addresses " the well-being of

residents, habitat and wildlife " toward " a sustainable, environmentally friendly

recreational resource for the neighborhood and the entire San Francisco Bay

Area. "

 

Updates from the California State Parks Foundation

 

Verbatim from the California Parklands E-newsletter, August 6

 

A Word From Our President

 

Brother, Can you Spare $14.2 Million? After two months of intense lobbying

by state park advocates and park supporters across the state, the verdict for

state parks finally came down in late July: the Legislature passed a revised

state budget that contained an $8 million cut to the state parks system. Days

later, the Governor signed the budget but extracted an additional $6.2 million.

Granted, this is better than the original proposal from late May to take $70

million from the state park system, but it will still have dramatic and severe

consequences. As a result of this budget cut - plus the continuing state

furloughs and other park-related budget reductions - 100 state parks are

estimated to close. Like many parts of this year's budget saga, however, this

story may not yet be over.

Read More Here... Take Action Here...

State Park Closures on the Horizon, But Where and How?

 

We have received many questions about which state parks will be closed, and

when. At this time there is not a list of parks slated for closure. State

officials have indicated closures are unlikely to happen until after Labor Day,

with a list of the parks targeted for closure released sometime around that

date. As soon as a public list is available, CSPF will send it to our members

and activists. In the meantime, there are many things park supporters can do to

help as we continue the fight.

 

Here are the top 5 things you can do to help today.

Coordinating the Cavalry

 

CSPF is not sitting around waiting for the shoe (or 100-park list) to

drop. Without a list, it's fair to assume that all state parks need our creative

thinking and support for ways to ensure their continued availability to the

public. While officials at the Department of Parks and Recreation are currently

amassing detailed information about the " gaps " in services that will be left

when parks close, CSPF is helping coordinate offers from entities willing to

lend short-term help to our state park system. CSPF is in contact with many

non-profit organizations, community groups, businesses, local governments, and

potential donors about what they can do to help keep parks open in their

communities.

Read How You Can Help Here.

 

 

 

 

Restoring Franciscan nature and biodiversity by connecting urban people with

nature where they live.

 

Nature in the City is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501©3

California nonprofit public benefit corporation.

Join Nature in the City today!

P.O. Box 170088

 

San Francisco, CA

 

(415)-564-4107

 

www.natureinthecity.org