September 8, 2006

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

On behalf of my client, the California State Park Rangers Association (CSPRA) we urge your signature on AB 2497 by Assembly Member John Laird. This measure is currently sitting on your desk awaiting your action.

CSPRA is an organization of park professionals dedicated to advancement of the highest principles of public service, established to support and preserve California State Parks for present and future generations.

AB 2497 would require the Secretary of the Resources Agency and the Department of Finance (DOF) to jointly convene a workgroup consisting of representatives from specified state agencies and natural resource organizations to develop options for improving the efficiency of state resource land acquisition transactions for those departments and conservancies subject to the jurisdiction of the State Public Works Board (SPWB).

The workgroup will not exceed eleven members and will include representatives from WCB, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the State Coastal Conservancy and one or more other state conservancies with land acquisition responsibilities, the Legislative Analyst's Office, and natural resource organizations with an interest in and experience with state land acquisition processes, among others. They will be charged with defining resource land acquisition, for purposes of acquiring an interest in property that has cultural, natural, or recreational resource value.

Additionally, the Resources Agency and DOF are required to report to the Governor and the Legislature on the outcomes of the workgroup on or before January 1, 2008.

For these reasons and many more we urge your signature on AB 2497. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 916-448-8240.

Sincerely,
Monica Miller, Legislative Advocate
California State Park Rangers Association (CSPRA)