Wolk bill to boost Central Valley parks moves to Senate Floor

Senate Committee passes legislation to increase state parks, recreation in the Valley

SACRAMENTO–The State Senate Appropriations Committee voted today to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to bring additional state parks and recreation opportunities to California’s Central Valley.

Wolk’s Assembly Bill 1426 requires the State Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) to develop and implement a detailed plan to expand and improve park facilities and recreation programs in the Central Valley State Park System.
 
“The state has found it hard to keep up with the exploding infrastructure needs of the Central Valley, one of the fastest growing regions in California. As a result, residents of the Central Valley are underserved by existing state parks and recreation facilities. My bill works to resolve this inequity,” said Wolk.

The bill also requires State Parks to identify and prioritize specific sites and projects for acquisition and development, giving priority when possible to significant natural resources, using recent state research and public outreach efforts. High priority was given to water-based recreation facilities such as rivers and reservoirs.

AB 1426 is supported by the California State Parks Foundation and the Legislative Rural Caucus and will next be heard on the Senate Floor.  

The committee also approved Wolk’s AB 532, which requires solar heating to be evaluated as an option for all state operated swimming pools, and AB 1683, which provides the Department of Fish and Game with the authority necessary to prevent the spread of quagga mussels, a highly invasive species threatening California's water delivery and natural ecosystems.