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May 11, 2009
CA Park Protection Bills approved in Committee
Two California park protection bills mentioned in this blog last week have been approved by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and are now headed to the appropriations committee. These bills protect parkland in California from conversions to non-park uses. Other states would be wise to adopt similar provisions to protect their own parks for the many development proposals and privatization efforts that constantly barrage parks departments across the country. Park activists in other states should contact the CA State Parks Foundation for information on crafting similar legislation.
Senate Bill 679 introduced by Senator Lois Wolk, indicates that lands used as state parks cannot be used for non-park purposes without an act of the Legislature and the provision of substitute lands of equal environmental and fair market value. SB 679 requires that if it is decided that parkland should be put to a different use, then lands of equal environmental and fair market value, and in proximity to state park lands being disrupted or disposed, must be provided as substitutes.
Senate Bill 372 by Senator Christine Kehoe establishes an appropriate process for protecting state parks from projects or proposals that are inconsistent with the use and purposes of the parks. It would make it so that only the Legislature, on the recommendation of the state Park and Recreation Commission, can authorize uses of a state park that are inconsistent with park purposes. Senate Bill 372 is modeled on existing state law that requires review and legislative action prior to alteration of other conservation lands. It is appropriate to vest the State Park and Recreation Commission (Commission) with a role in securing the future of California's state park system as the Commission currently has important responsibilities classifying and naming state parks, approving and amending General Plans, and providing annual reports on the programs, activities, and future needs of the state park system.
Posted by dop_editor at May 11, 2009 08:24 PM
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