State park funding
The proposed state budget includes the addition of $15 in vehicle registration fees to help maintain state parks. This is for all vehicles, not just RV's or trailers to entice them to use state campgrounds, rather than Wal-Mart parking lots, which are often safer, tidier and more cost effective.
State parks have designated much of the funds for more parkland acquisitions. Funds for restoration of the Bay-Delta have been so diverted to the detriment of California's water supply. Diversion of income at parks located at reservoirs for acquisitions is being made up by charges to water users.
This state parks policy of acquisition by its central bureaucracy is not only detrimental to a park and neighboring environments, but also deprives local government of property taxes. Kern County is looking at the future loss of over $400,000. Supervisor Jon McQuiston has wisely noted that the alternative of conservation easements would benefit both the county's tax base and the landowner's federal tax write off.
Local legislators Fuller and Gilmore are both on the Assembly, Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and are encouraged to hold hearings on the following two topics:
* The state parks department has not paid fees in lieu of taxes for years, even on lands closed to the general public.
* State parks do not adhere to the usual 80/20 split of income from its entrance and concessionaire fees where the bulk of income stays where generated for maintenance, so perhaps the parks can get their toilets to flush.
DENNIS FOX
Bakersfield
