SB 204: State parks.

Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with the control of the state park system.

This bill would require the Director of Parks and Recreation to promote and regulate the use of the state park system in a manner that conserves the scenery, natural and historic resources, and wildlife in the individual units of the system for the enjoyment of future generations.

Existing law requires the department to prepare a general plan or revise an existing plan for a unit of the state park system following classification or reclassification of the unit by the State Park and Recreation Commission, and prior to the development of any new facilities in any previously classified unit.

This bill would authorize the department to prepare a management or development plan that includes appropriate environmental review and analysis instead of a general plan for a park unit to which new development is necessary to comply with public service delivery obligations, operational or code compliance upgrades, or resource preservation requirements that are compatible with the classification of the unit.

Existing law, until January 1, 2019, authorizes the department to enter into an operating agreement with a qualified nonprofit organization for the development, improvement, restoration, care, maintenance, administration, or operation of a unit, or units, or portion of a unit, of the state park system, but authorizes the department to enter into an operating agreement that involves the operation of the entirety of a park unit only to avoid closure of a unit or units of the state park system that may otherwise be subject to closure.

This bill would delete the repeal date of that provision, thereby extending its operation indefinitely, and would delete the above limitation on the departments authority to enter into an operating agreement that involves the operation of the entirety of a park unit. The bill would also authorize the department to accept donations of money from public or private sources to be used for the purpose of funding park programs to benefit youth, as defined. The bill would authorize the department to enter into agreements with public or nonprofit organizations that serve youth, to provide service and learning opportunities for youth, as described.

Existing law authorizes the Director of General Services to permit the department to carry out a project where the nature of work is historic preservation of the state park system. Existing law requires the department to solicit bids and award the project to the lowest responsible bidder or reject all bids, if the estimated total cost of the project exceeds $25,000, except as provided.

This bill would make those requirements applicable if the total estimated cost of the project exceeds $50,000.