Resolutions in Support of Proposition 21

Greetings!

Recently, Petaluma and Sebastopol city staff are attempting to place resolutions of support for the Proposition on their upcoming city council agendas.

Here are two resolutions we forwarded to them. The first was constructed from materials from the state campaign, and from text from the resolution passed in August by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The second comes from text included in the resolution adopted by the Sonoma City Council in February of this year.



Resolution of Support for Proposition 21, State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010

Whereas, every year, California’s 278 state parks attract millions of tourists, who spend $4.32 billion annually in park- related expenditures. A recent study found that state park visitors spend an average of $57.63 in neighboring communities each visit. Visitors generate so much local economic activity that every dollar spent on state parks creates another $2.35 for California’s treasury, and

Whereas, with a new dedicated revenue stream in place, more than $130 million of General Fund dollars – that provide a portion of overall state park funding – will now be available for other vital needs that impact local government services and funding, including education, health care, social services and public safety, and

Whereas, in addition to the economic benefit of increased tourism, local communities benefit greatly from the assets of the California state park system. The state parks give local residents a place to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as learn about the state’s history, culture and natural resources. A state park nearby means that families, schools and others have a year-round playground and classroom to explore. Yet without a reliable source of funding, these important resources could be lost forever, and

Whereas, Prop. 21 provides grants to local government agencies that administer/manage state parks so that those agencies will continue to receive the day-use fees they currently collect. With this protection, local agencies will be able to continue to keep the state parks in their community open to the public. Sonoma County would directly benefit from a portion of this funding this funding for local entities managing state park units could reimburse County Regional Parks for operating the Stillwater Cove Unit, adjacent to Stillwater Cove Regional Park, and the access to the McCormick addition to Sugarloaf State Park, adjacent to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, and

Whereas, Prop. 21 will provide dedicated funding to local public agencies and conservancies for parks and wildlife conservation efforts. The allocation for state conservancies could help fund management of Wildlife Conservation Board owned properties managed by Regional Parks, such as Steelhead Beach or Hudeman Slough. Wildlife conservation grants could help fund local park and open space acquisition projects. The new source of State Parks funding would lift the freeze on acquisitions. The state would be positioned to accept property previously acquired by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and intended for transfer to the State, including the Carrington Ranch, Calabazas Creek, Poff, and Montini properties.
Additionally, the District and other local conservation entities could again partner with the state to pursue acquisitions of land to enhance recreational opportunities in Sonoma County, and

Whereas, supporters of Prop 21 include The Nature Conservancy, local elected officials throughout California, Public Health Institute, California Action for Healthy Kids, California State Conference of the NAACP, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, Sierra Club California, Audubon California, Save the Redwoods League, Peninsula Open Space Trust, California Travel Industry Association, California Lodging Industry Association, The Trust for Public Land, California State Lifeguard Association and the California State Parks Foundation.

Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Sebastopol supports the passage of Proposition 21, State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.


Resolution

WHEREAS, California’s parks, once considered the best in the nation, are falling apart because of chronic underfunding. Roofs and sewage systems leak, restrooms are not cleaned regularly, bridges have collapsed, trails are washed out, campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered and buildings and structures throughout the system are badly deteriorated; and

WHEREAS, Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part‐time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year’s budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected next year; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of scenic acres are closed to the public because of reductions in park rangers, and crime has more than doubled. Destruction and vandalism of the parks themselves has grown fourfold, and beachgoers are often unprotected because of decreases in lifeguards; and

WHEREAS, The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund would provide a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding for the state park system, for wildlife conservation and for increased and equitable access to those resources for all Californians; and

WHEREAS, Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee; and

WHEREAS, California vehicles subject to the State Park Access Pass surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would receive free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Every year, there are nearly 80 million visits to state parks, where the abundance of outdoor activities entices visitors to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, Parks contribute to public health by protecting forests and natural areas that are sources of clean air and water and by combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, Parks protect the state’s wide diversity of plants and animals, preserve an unparalleled collection of historic and cultural assets and provide exciting educational opportunities for young and old alike;

WHEREAS, The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund would protect California’s 278 state parks so that all Californians can enjoy their benefits;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the (___________) supports the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the (___________) do(es) hereby adopt this resolution this, the ____day of ____, 2010.