Thanks to our members and partners, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen qualified the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, for the November 2 statewide ballot. The campaign submitted more than 760,000 signatures, nearly twice the number required to qualify the measure.
Proposition 21, the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 was developed by a statewide coalition of interests committed to protecting state parks and natural resources. California’s 278 state parks and beaches are priceless public assets, important economic engines and a vital legacy for our children and grandchildren. However, persistent budget cuts are starving state parks and beaches, causing them to fall severely behind in needed maintenance and repairs. Prop. 21 will establish a dedicated and reliable funding stream for state parks and natural resources to ensure they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Approval of the state parks initiative will provide California vehicles with free, year-round day-use access to state parks, in exchange for a new $18 surcharge. This new surcharge will be assessed as part of California’s annual vehicle registration. All California vehicles will be subject to the surcharge, except larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers. Funds from the surcharge will be placed in a trust fund dedicated specifically to state parks and wildlife conservation, which cannot legally be used for other purposes. Approximately $500 million will be generated annually from the trust fund, providing the funding needed to restore, maintain and keep state parks accessible today and for future generations.
Take a look at the full list of organizations supporting this initiative.
You have helped build these state parks. Let's work together to ensure their long-term viability and protection for everybody's enjoyment.
As you may know, funding for state parks has declined dramatically over the past two decades despite increased demand. Twice in the past two years, our state parks — many of which are redwood parks that our members helped create — were on the brink of closure. Only a last-minute budget reprieve kept them partially open. Nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part-time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year’s budget cuts. More closure proposals and budget cuts are expected next year.
California’s parks are becoming less available to the public and they are in dire need of backlogged maintenance and repairs. In response, Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks Foundation and The Nature Conservancy prepared the statewide ballot measure. If passed by voters, the Act will provide a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding for the state park system and wildlife conservation, along with increased and equitable access to those resources for all Californians.