Sacramento - On November 1, 2011, the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), and the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento), will hold a joint oversight hearing on the impacts and status of the state park closures, including emerging strategies to avoid park closures.
At Tuesday's hearing, the Committees will explore how the park closure list was developed and efforts to find viable alternatives. Through the budget process earlier this year, the Administration requested and received authority for possible park closures as one means of addressing this year's budget reductions. The Administration in May released a list of 70 proposed park closures. Since that time, more information has become available on potential impacts and costs, and the Legislature also passed Assembly Bill 42 (Huffman) authorizing new partnerships that may avoid at least some of the closures. The hearing will provide an update on the closure process and partnership opportunities.
As a result of previous budget reductions, many state parks now suffer from functional closures, with reduced hours of operation, and growing deferred maintenance, conditions that impact local communities through reduced economic activity and overflow into local parks. The full closure of 70 state parks as announced could further devastate local communities and park visitors throughout the state by eliminating park access in some areas. Finding stable, dedicated funding for state parks, particularly in light of the state's ongoing budgetary and economic crisis, continues to be a formidable challenge but essential to the physical and economic health of our parks, local communities, and citizens.
Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: State Capitol, Room 437
For more information:
For additional information regarding State Park closings, including background on AB 42, a link entitled "California State Parks" is available on Assemblymember Huffman's website. Additionally, this hearing will be televised on the California Channel.CONTACT: Dan Okenfuss, (916) 319-2006,
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Diane Colborn, (916) 764-5796,
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