California Governor Proposes State Park Closures
Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing that California close a grip of our state parks. This concerns you fellow surfers because many of our favorite breaks are considered “state parks” – San Onofre, Huntington, Bolsa Chica, Leo Carillo, Doheny, San Clemente… A “State Beach” is a State Park. So, what happens if they close? They could fall into private hands (as a way to make some short term cash). Maybe they’ll get closed down. Worst of all, maybe they’ll get developed. I urge you all to write to the governor and legislature pronto and tell them to stop this madness.
Click here to write to the powers that be!
From Surfrider:
Two hundred and twenty of California’s 279 state parks (almost 80 percent) are facing closures and some could be padlocked as soon as Labor Day. The proposed closures are part of a historic closing plan released Thursday night by the state parks department. Blaming the state’s $24 billion budget deficit, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed a plan to eliminate $213 million in state park funding by June 2011. California State Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica says she will examine closing some parks for the winter and raising the entry and camping fees, as well as several other ideas to help reduce the number of parks closed. More Info.