California State Park Rangers Association
Notes from President Carle on January Meeting with Director Quintero
Notes from President Dave Carle on January 24th Meeting with Parks Director and Staff
Six persons attended via zoom: Director Armando Quintero, Kathy Amann (Dep Dir for Ops, and for CSPRA: Dave Carle, Ron Krueper, Sal Goshorn, and Ann Meneguzzi Introduced new CSPRA Treasurer, Ron, and Director, Sal, and returning VP Ann.
Armando has visited 200 (of 280+) state parks. He recently visited LA State Historic Park and was very impressed with conditions including spirit & camaraderie of staff & volunteers he saw while there. Following the proposed gondola project, but cannot comment until a draft EIR is out.
He related how he and one of his daughters had recently taken Gov Newsom & his family after Gov asked for walk through redwoods. Went to Mt. Tam to trails of Marin Municipal Water District. Newsom family loved the walk with views looking out to coast as well under redwood & other tree canopies that had had fuels treatments. He sought to convey to Gov importance of these resources that belong to everyone and the First Family all received California State Park ball caps.
Dave advised that the draft Strategic Plan, the CNRA 30X30 initiative draft, the LASHP gondola proposal, and Reimagining Big Basin efforts will all be followed and commented upon by CSPRA.
Expected funding from Governor’s draft budget:
--20MM for Forest Management & Wildfire Resilience
--10MM Native American consultations and cultural History
--additional Deferred Maintenance funds, but still a very small part of the over $1B needed.
--Funding for low cost lodging cabins (run by concessions; there are 5 unit locations being considered)
Funding exists to create several new parks that will better serve “park-poor” communities. 6 out of 10 California do not live close to a park. For example, is a need in Central Valley, particularly on rivers, for people have a place to cool off at in summer. This is a climate adaptation benefit. (Ann: “Currently very little SP land in San Joaquin & Sacramento valleys. At least one park on Sacramento River is now operated by another contracted entity.”) Looks toward partnerships for recreation & resource protection with other resource agencies Ca F&W, DWR, Boating & Waterways
--50MM from legislature for an ‘Art in Parks program .
--31MM from legislation for the Tesla property to remain separate from adjacent OHV park. Funds provided instead to purchase alternative land somewhere for OHV use.
Armando stressed “Parks for all in California.” Said 60% don’t live near a state park but DPR distributes park funding(grants) to local and regional parks that are within communities. 1.2B recently distributed for these kind of parks but only 2 legislators were aware funding came to their Districts via DPR. Important to publicize and market this kind of info to legislators and the public. Plans are for public announcements for this. Good publicity and good press will gain friends and significance for state parks.
No permanent positions come with the special programs in budget. Director acknowledged many vacancies, but pointed out that there are currently 600 law enforcement and 115 interpretive positions in DPR (including 19 new interp positions last year). DPR now has a new head of Human Resources (w excellent skill & experience!) who will work with a recruitment team shifted to HR to address the vacancy problem.
Kathy Amann will send Dave a list with number of vacant positions but with no names as an alternative to full organization charts for Districts, to support CSPRA’s effort to document need for long-term, dedicated funding.