California Clean Water, Climate, and Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018; Prioritizes Parks for Disadvantaged Communities in New Bond
(SACRAMENTO) - Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) is pleased to introduce the California Clean Water, Climate, and Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, AB 18.
“It has been 14 years since California last approved a “true park bond.” The protracted economic downturn in 2008 had a disproportionate impact on the local, regional and state parks infrastructure. Investments in the parks infrastructure were, during this period, viewed as less critical and were oftentimes subject to cuts. There has been particularly high demand in both urban and rural disadvantaged communities where many still lack access to safe parks, trails, recreation areas, and access to the great outdoors.” commented Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
AB 18 prioritizes poor-park and disadvantaged communities throughout the state following both the current “disadvantaged communities” definition and the “severely disadvantaged community” definition listed in the Health and Safety code.
According to the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Plan of 2015, of the nearly 300 local/regional park directors surveyed 55% citied rehabilitation of existing parks as the highest priority, versus 19% for new park development and 17% for new facilities in existing parks.
“Investments to improve and to further create parks and recreation areas, as well as to create trail networks that provide access from neighborhoods to parks and recreational opportunities, will help ensure all Californians have access to safe places to exercise and enjoy recreational activities. Not only do parks and natural spaces provide an outdoor experience, but they also have numerous public safety, educational, and health benefits. Additionally, continued investment in the state’s parks, trails, and natural resources, and greening urban areas will mitigate the effects of climate change and provide Californians access to its bountiful natural resources for future generations to come.”
The following investments will be the primary targets of the bond:
- Investments in the creation and expansion of safe neighborhood parks in park-poor neighborhoods in accordance with the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2008.
At least 20% of funds available pursuant to this division shall be allocated to severely disadvantaged communities. Up to 20% of funds available may be allocated for technical assistance to disadvantaged communities.
- Investments in Local Park Rehabilitation and Improvement grants to local governments on a per capita basis. Priority will be on rehabilitating existing infrastructure and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to the outdoors.
- Investments in regional park districts, counties, open-space districts, open-space authorities, and eligible nonprofit organizations to restore facilities, including trails facilitating new or enhancing existing experiences.
- Investment in the restoration and preservation of existing state park facilities, preserve and increase public access to state parks and to protect the natural, cultural, and historic resources of those facilities. Priority would be made upon the department’s backlog of deferred maintenance.
- Investments to provide non-motorized infrastructure development and enhancements that promote new or alternate access to waterways, outdoor recreational pursuits, and forested or other natural environments to encourage health-related commuting and opportunities for Californians to reconnect with nature. A percentage of funds will be made available to communities for innovative transportation programs that provide new and expanded outdoor experiences to disadvantaged youth.
- Investments will be made into projects providing improvements in the rehabilitation or expansion of local or regional park infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of substantial visitor and tourist oriented use patterns.
- Investments into the protection and expansion of wildlife corridors including projects to improve connectivity between habitat areas, for projects to improve climate adaptation and resilience of natural systems, and for projects to protect and improve existing open space corridors and trail linkages related to utility or transportation infrastructure that provide habitat connectivity and public access or trails.
- Investments in California River Parkways
- Investments in State Conservancies
The bill will be heard by the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in 2017.
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
