Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Parks funding slashed, replacement source on the table

State Park Closure Action Alert CenterIn a high stakes two-part move today, the state legislature’s Budget Conference Committee voted to take two steps on funding for the State Park system.

First, disaster! The Budget Committee concurred with the Governor and cut all general funding for California State Parks. As outlined in the Governor’s proposal, this would close 80% of the system, but …

Second, recovery–maybe. The Budget Committee approved, on a divided vote, enactment of a replacement funding source: direct funding from a $15 increase to Vehicle License Fees.

The fee is similar to last year’s legislative proposal for a State Parks Access Pass. $15 would be added to the vehicle license fee for all non-commercial vehicles. The money is dedicated for State Parks operations, and in exchange all vehicles with California plates receive free day-use parking at all state parks.

This puts the State Park system, including Mono Lake and Bodie, on quite a tightrope. The plan will now move to the full legislature, then the governor, and possibly into high level negotiations, for final approval.

If the new funding source does not survive that process, then 80% of the parks close. If the new funding is finalized, then the parks stay open and move forward with a more reliable long term source of funding.

What can you do? Send a letter to the Governor and Legislature leadership expressing support for Mono Lake, Bodie, and all parks in our Action Center!

Media coverage: Los Angeles Times – Lawmakers’ plan eases governor’s proposed cuts