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06/20/09

The fight to stay open

by Peter Burke

Every car owner in California might be required to pitch in to help keep the state park system up and running if the latest proposal out of Sacramento makes it past the state Senate and Assembly and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Legislative Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 to pass the State Parks Access Pass proposal, an idea that would add a $15 fee to California vehicle registration while providing free day-use access to anyone driving a vehicle with California license plates into a state park.

“I actually believe it’s the best thing that could happen,” said Jeannie Kegebein, Mountain Parks Foundation executive director. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The proposal would provide $363 million in annual revenue for the state parks while eliminating a burden of $143 million from the state’s general fund, said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.