Calif. Budget Cuts Could Close 220 Parks...among them the home of the world's tallest tree

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By AP / SAMANTHA YOUNG

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget cuts could mean the closing of up to 220 state parks, among them the home of the world's tallest tree and other attractions that draw millions of visitors.

Schwarzenegger this week recommended eliminating $70 million in parks spending through June 30, 2010. An additional $143.4 million would be saved in the following fiscal year by keeping the parks closed. (Read "With a New Budget, Now Californians Brace for the Pain".)

"This is a worst-case scenario," said Roy Sterns, a spokesman at the state parks department. "If we can do less than this, we will try. But under the present proposal, this is it."

Among the parks that could be closed, the parks department said Thursday, are Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Will Rogers' Southern California ranch and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which boasts the world's tallest tree, a giant that tops 370 feet. Even the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento is on the list.

The Legislature last year rejected the governor's proposal to close 48 state parks. But lawmakers said that with California's budget deficit now at $24.3 billion, the situation is so dire that it is likely some parks will close.

"Things that were previously dead on arrival are a lot more viable in a crisis like this," said Democrat Jared Huffman, chairman of the Assembly's parks and wildlife committee. "I think some cuts are coming to the parks, and they'll be cuts I won't like and the public won't like."

The state parks department said a $70 million cut would leave it with enough money to run just 59 of California's 279 state parks.

The state's famed park system attracts nearly 80 million visitors a year. William Randolph Hearst's Castle on the Central Coast and a dozen other so-called moneymakers would remain open, as would many Southern California beaches that attract millions of visitors year round.

But others that could close include: Fort Ross State Historic Park, the southernmost Russian settlement in North America; Bodie State Historic Park, one of the best-preserved Old West ghost towns; and Big Basin Redwoods, the oldest state park. (Read "Billions in the Red: Fiscal Reckoning in CA".)

The proposal has angered conservationists and some Democrats in the Legislature, who say California's parks are treasured spots that help the state and local economy.

"State parks draw tourism to California," State Parks Foundation president Elizabeth Goldstein said. "This proposal makes the budget situation worse."

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,...1901738,00.html

[Emancipation 2]

"State parks draw tourism to California," State Parks Foundation president Elizabeth Goldstein said. "This proposal makes the budget situation worse."

You don't say... not to mention does nothing to encourage Californians to stay within their own state and spend what little dollars they have to throw around!

[Peikko 1,575]

Or perhaps just blaming Arnie is a great idea

Just out of interest, why the really old pic of the drive through tree? Is that their most up to date stock picture?

Edited May 29, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"State parks draw tourism to California," State Parks Foundation president Elizabeth Goldstein said. "This proposal makes the budget situation worse."

You don't say... not to mention does nothing to encourage Californians to stay within their own state and spend what little dollars they have to throw around!

It's a sad mess we're in. The hardliners want to have very little state government and that's exactly what they are going to get...at the peril of the state and everyone else.

[AlHayatZween 2]

wow... it sounds like it's going to all hell out there...

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why does he hate trees?

[mawilson 2,133]

It's a sad mess we're in. The hardliners want to have very little state government and that's exactly what they are going to get...at the peril of the state and everyone else.

It's a preview of the mess we're all going to be in soon.

Californians are finding out the hard way that there's no such thing as free lunch.

Someone has to pay for all their social programs.

Let's hope that the guys in DC will wake up before we have to sell our national parks to China.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I have to agree with MaWilson.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just out of interest, why the really old pic of the drive through tree? Is that their most up to date stock picture?

I liked the pic.

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't say I didn't like it, I do, it just seems odd - or was it you?!!!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I didn't say I didn't like it, I do, it just seems odd - or was it you?!!!!

That tree was around before Jesus. I searched for pics before the year 0 A.D. and Google came up zero. Go figure.

[Peikko 1,575]

So, that's your way of letting us know how old the trees are? Gotcha

I really like those trees, actually, it's what motivated me to come visit CA. You can blame the trees for my living here

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So, that's your way of letting us know how old the trees are? Gotcha

I really like those trees, actually, it's what motivated me to come visit CA. You can blame the trees for my living here

Do you recall the smell? I can appreciate the old trees, but that whole forest has this strange, putrid smell...drove me nuts.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't recall anything putrid or rancid about it, not one thing.

I loved it up there, in the North by the Sea, hugging a tree, with a cat on a bat and a bat in a hat, and all the while, I saw the trial of the runcible slug accused of banana behaviour and all because yellow was his favourite colour.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't recall anything putrid or rancid about it, not one thing.

I loved it up there, in the North by the Sea, hugging a tree, with a cat on a bat and a bat in a hat, and all the while, I saw the trial of the runcible slug accused of banana behaviour and all because yellow was his favourite colour.

Okay, Dr. Seuss.