Free Republic

(09-25) 16:05 PDT SACRAMENTO -- Under fire from park supporters and the state's own attorneys, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that no state parks will be completely closed to help solve the state's budget woes. Instead, the governor's new plan, which some say is little more than a shell game to save face, would slash $14.2 million from the park budget this year by closing campgrounds and facilities on weekdays, reducing seasonal and administrative staff and cutting back on things like bathroom cleaning. The idea is to allow all 279 state parks to remain open this fiscal year. More options...

Logic gives you what you need. Passion gives you what you crave. In the end, it's passion that feeds your dreams or part of you dies. When it comes to logic, it makes financial sense to keep all state parks open. Last year, state parks had 79.6 user visits that generated $2.6 billion in spending during those trips. For every dollar the state put into parks, it generated $2.35 in tax revenue. Yet in his last-minute line-item budget cuts, Gov. Schwarzenegger slashed general fund money to state parks. ...., yet could close 100 parks starting in September. When it comes...

PETA sent a letter to California State Parks Director Ruth Coleman on Wednesday offering to pay to keep Pescadero State Beach open, but only if it is renamed Sea Kitten State Beach. Pescadero State Beach is among the 219 state parks slated for closure under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to close a $26.3 billion deficit. Pescadero means 'the place to fish,'

Three cougars that appeared to be stalking people were shot in Princeton, B.C., during the last two weeks, and a veteran conservation officer says he's never seen anything like it. The first cougar was spotted lurking near a campground in the southern Interior town on July 3... B.C. conservation officer Al Lay shot the big cat out of concern it may have been stalking people. "It was close to residences and campsites on the other side, and it was just one of those situations where it is better safe then sorry.… We just can't take the chance of someone being...

A valiant (but rather silly-sounding) effort to save one of San Mateo's coastal beauties has fallen flat. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals last week told the the head of state parks that they would pay to save Pescadero State Beach -- with a few conditions. The group launched a campaign called "Save the Sea Kittens" and sent a letter to California State Parks Director Ruth Coleman saying that if the state renames the beach to "Sea Kitten" State Beach and bans fishing from the shoreline, they will contribute to keep the beach open. Pescadero State Beach is...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California governor's office says federal officials are threatening to seize six state parks if they are closed to help balance the state's budget. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed closing 220 state parks. But the National Park Service warned in a letter to Schwarzenegger that six of those parks are on former federal land that could revert to the U.S. government if they are not kept open as parks.

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. "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...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday named two Democrats to replace his brother-in-law, Bobby Shriver, and actor-director Clint Eastwood on a state parks panel that voted to oppose a controversial toll road the governor supports. The two were dumped from the State Park and Recreation Commission in March after they refused to back a six-lane toll road that would cut through one of Southern California's most popular beaches. Schwarzenegger replaced them with California NAACP chairwoman Alice Huffman, 72, and television production company president Lindy DeKoven, 55. Huffman is a former lobbyist for the California Teachers Association and a Democratic superdelegate who...

Take your pick. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger either felt the need for “fresh legs” on the state Park & Recreation Commission or was in the mood for political payback. Whatever his true sentiments, his staff notified his brother-in-law Bobby Shriver and actor Clint Eastwood on Monday that they were no longer needed as state park commissioners. Shriver, 53, a Democrat and brother of First Lady Maria Shriver, and Eastwood, 77, a Republican and former mayor of Carmel, were first appointed to the advisory commission by Gov. Gray Davis in 2001. Three years later, Schwarzenegger reappointed both of them to four-year terms....

I'm playing a spoof on an old friend who thinks that I'll be in Albany tomorrow. What I need are facts about the currant state of Albany that will conclusively place me there tomorrow. Color of the foliage, a good restaurant to make reservations, a nice place out of town to park a large coach, and anything about the Albany school of Law that a first time visitor would probably notice. Thanks. There's got to be some Freeper's from Albany, right?

AUSTIN — Texas state parks need “significantly” more money, Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick said Wednesday, becoming the latest state political figures to signal support for the 600,000-acre system after years of neglect. Gov. Rick Perry called in July for a funding boost, and Democratic gubernatorial challenger Chris Bell has as well. A recent report by the Star-Telegram found that chronic funding shortages had resulted in deteriorating sewer systems, inoperable vehicles, leaking roofs and the partial shutdown of one park because of environmental violations. In a letter Wednesday to the Legislative Budget Board, Craddick, R-Midland, said it’s important to come...

Oregon Coast - The state's parks and recreation commission last week approved a scaled back version of its plan for protecting Western snowy plover habitat along Oregon's sandy beaches, but it wasn't enough to satisfy officials in affected counties, including Tillamook.

The Schwarzenegger administration has quietly shut down virtually all expansion of California's state parks -- even land paid for with private donations, the Mercury News has learned. Saying the state cannot afford new rangers, fences, signs and maintenance, Schwarzenegger officials in the state Department of Finance are refusing to buy almost any new land or accept new scenic beaches, forests and historic sites into public ownership. The policy was put into place by the state Public Works Board, an obscure panel appointed by the governor that approves funding for state buildings, college classrooms, prisons, parks and other facilities. In March,...

State Parks Fees to Jump Sharply Starting July 1 State officials announced Tuesday that entrance and usage fees at the California's 277 state parks will go up July 1 to help offset budget cuts. Officials say in some cases fees will be increased only slightly, but some of the state's most popular attractions will see substanital hikes. The tab to tour Hearst Castle, for instance, will jump from $12 to $25. The plan calls for raising fees to particularly high levels during peak usage times. The price of admission to popular Huntington Beach in Southern California will jump from...

<p>Fall is one of Leah Roedel's favorite seasons because it's a busy time for Delaware's 14 state parks.</p> <p>The 86-year-old Roedel is often called the "first lady of parks" and little brings her more pleasure than seeing people hiking, camping and fishing in the First State.</p>

Link Post: Geology Picture of the Week, August 25-31, 2002

<p>SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) - Clint Eastwood was sworn in as a state parks commissioner at the beginning of the 100-year birthday celebration for Big Basin Redwood State Park, California's oldest state park. "You're all under arrest," he told the crowd as he held up his new parks commissioner badge.</p>