tmoning Report post Posted September 18, 2009 California officials have delayed the closing of up to 100 state parks, and a possible ballot initiative offers a glimmer of hope that closures can be averted. In July, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state would close selected parks to erase a $24 billion budget shortfall this fiscal year. Parks that don't make money, cannot be operated with minimal staffing and are not self-sustaining through fees have been in jeopardy. But state park officials have not been able to come up with a precise list of which parks to close. In addition, they're not sure how to keep the public out of closed state parks and beaches. A parks spokesman said local sheriff's deputies will patrol the closed parks, but many state beaches and remote wildland areas will be difficult to supervise adequately. An environmental coalition is considering a 2010 ballot measure to create a $15 vehicle license fee to keep parks open. The initiative would raise about $400 million a year and eliminate entrance fees for motorists at all state parks. California's 279 state parks cover 1.5 million acres. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
