To CSPRA Members
January 18, 2012
CSPRA Speaks Up in Opposition!
Governor’s 2012-13 Park Budget Cuts
The California State Park Rangers Association opposes the Governor’s proposed 2012/13 budget that calls for an additional $11 million dollar cut in the State Parks budget and proposes drastic cuts in personnel as part of the trigger cuts should the November 2012 tax initiative not pass. The $11 million is in addition to a previous $11 cut to the State Park budget and a $10 million reduction to the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Division budget.
This proposed $11 million dollars cut will continue the drastic decline in the integrity of the largest and most diverse state park system in the world. Our members cannot sustain the added impact of this budget cut. We are already stretched beyond capacity.
The proposal to close 70 parks will result in costs far beyond any savings.
If parks are closed, treasured natural and cultural resources, recreation sites and critical visitor serving facilities will fall into decline beyond the possibility of repair or restoration. Nor should the Governor and legislators wait for a tragedy to propel them to restore funding for public safety in our state parks. Add to this the decline in local economies dependent on state park visitors and continued damage to the tourism industry as news of the deterioration of these iconic destinations spreads like a virus.
CSPRA members are the experts on these impacts. We are the ones planning, implementing and maintaining these facilities, resources and services. We risk our lives to provide for the safety of our visitors. We represent countless years of experience in almost all the classifications and skills in State Parks.
Eleven million dollars is “budget dust”. For this nominal amount, small enough to be used to round the budget in many other agencies, the Governor and legislature can at least stem the tide of this catastrophic decline.
In addition, the proposed cuts in public safety (20% reduction in rangers and elimination of seasonal lifeguards) triggered by the failure of a November 2012 tax increase cannot be tolerated. While we realize these cuts are subject to further discussions, we will be vigilant in speaking up against this action.
This additional budget cut will mean more than the closure of 70 or more parks, it will be the end of the state park system that we all treasure. The $11 million dollar cut to California State Parks is the true tipping point and these funds must be restored.
The health and well-being of California's citizens and the California economy is dependent on maintaining a viable state park system.
