California State Parks

Study Schedule

DATE & TIME
EVENT
WRITTEN MATERIAL

Wednesday, October 31, 2012
9:30 a.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room,
Lower Level, 925 L Street
Sacramento

(Public Notice was revised on October 24, 2012 to account for additional teleconference location)
Advisory Committee

Thursday, August 16, 2012
9:30 a.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room,
Lower Level, 925 L Street
Sacramento
Advisory Committee

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
9 a.m., State Capitol,
Room 2040
Public Hearing

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
9 a.m., State Capitol,
Room 2040
Public Hearing

Description of Study

The Little Hoover Commission is reviewing California’s state parks system, the nation’s largest.  The state’s 280 parks draw millions of visitors each year, both from neighboring communities and foreign countries.  The state also relies on the state park system for conservation of important ecosystems as well as for preservation of important cultural and historic assets.  The system has experienced reduced support from the General Fund, though it has grown in size through bond-financed acquisitions which increase its operating and maintenance obligations.  Recent budget cuts prompted the department to list 70 parks for potential closure, starting a discussion about new ways to operate struggling parks and in some cases, leading to new management arrangements, saving some of the parks for now.  The Commission will study park system operations and governance and make recommendations, if warranted, aimed at developing a more sustainable funding model.

If you would like more information regarding this study, please contact the project manager, Jim Wasserman. To be notified electronically of meetings, events, or when the report is complete, please send a request to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.