State Senator Noreen Evans’ Bills to Reopen, Strengthen State Parks Clear State Senate

Two bills authored by Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) intended to bolster the California State Park system in the wake of pending park closures and budget cuts, were approved today by the Senate with bipartisan support. The bills, SB 974 and SB 1078 address the closures and economic sustainability of California State Parks.

“Park closures are a terrible thing for Californians and visitors, the local economy and the environment,” said Senator Evans who has 20 of the 70 state parks slated for closure in her Second Senate District.  “California has never closed a state park, not even during the Great Depression. These bills provide assurance that despite todays’ budget cuts, our parks will be made whole and economically sustainable. 

Aiming to save $22 million dollars the Department of Parks and Recreation proposed closing 70 state parks on July 1 including Benicia's Historic Capitol State Park and the Benicia State Recreation Area. 

According to a release from Evans' Sacramento office closing parks will negatively impact an important economic engine for California: the state parks system. Currently, parks generate more than $6 billion to the state as a whole. More than 65 million visits are made to state parks annually with park visitors spending and average of $42 per day on items related to their park visit. This spending supports an estimated 56,000 jobs across the state; jobs that translate into a total labor income of $2.3 billion each year, which is recirculated in local economies and the state through sales-taxes. Forty-eight of California's 58 counties are home to state parks and depend on revenues generated by park support and visitation.

SB 974 (State Parks Closures) would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to annually and formally review new state park closures.  The bill adheres to existing closure criteria passed by the legislature, but requires public input on the economic and environmental impacts of closures.     Importantly, the bill requires DPR to develop a plan to reopen each park closed that takes into account the involvement of the local community and the potential for the reduction of environmental and economic costs. The bill passed with a 30-3 bipartisan vote and will next be heard in Assembly.

SB 1078 (Parks Revenue Generation) would sharpen the DPRs’ focus on expanding revenue opportunities.  The bill requires DPR to evaluate and implement new revenue generation programs for parks.  DPR will examine many proposals including new marketing programs for park passes, which could include selling passes at retail outlets and cooperative agreements with FasTrak.  SB 1078 also localizes revenue generation with the creation of local Innovation Working Groups who can work with community advisory boards to develop revenue generation project plans for individual parks or park districts. The bill had broad and strong bipartisan suppport passing 37-1 and will next be heard in Assembly.