California State Parks Plans to Limit Off-Trail Access in Preserves & Reserves
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has proposed a new rule prohibiting public access anywhere off designated trails or boardwalks within state natural preserves, cultural preserves, state cultural reserves, and state natural reserves located within the California State Park system.
While this new restriction has had no public hearings and very little media attention and no media notification, written comments are due by Monday, June 6. The Anza-Borrego Foundation posted the following comment regarding this matter on their website:
"In a nutshell, this proposal would make it illegal to leave roads and trails in natural and cultural reserves. That means, for instance, that people could no longer climb around on rocks or walk up a wash, canyon, or ridge in any of our 8 cultural reserves. Think of hiking in Cougar or Sheep Canyon, primitive camping in Blair Valley, or rock climbing in Culp Valley. We and our park visitors would not be allowed to experience this park the way we have been invited to do since the park's establishment. It is also a law that would be virtually impossible for park peace officer rangers to enforce in a park so open and large."
According to California State Parks, this rulemaking action clarifies and makes specific the authority for regulating off-trail use in Natural Preserves, Cultural Preserves, State Cultural Reserves, and State Natural Reserves within the California State Park System. Specifically the proposed regulations would prohibit all public use in these areas unless such use is on a trail, boardwalk or other designated route of travel. These regulations will make it possible to better protect sensitive natural and cultural resources, California State Parks notes on their website.
Oddly enough, California State Parks is proposing this new rule without even knowing how many preserves and reserves are contained within the state park system. Their Initial Statement of Reasons notes:
"There are approximately 16 State Natural Reserves, 61 Natural Preserves, 23 Cultural Preserves, and no State Cultural Reserves in the state parks system."
While we support protection of our state parks, preserves, and reserves, with approximately 100 of them across the state, we can't be certain that this one-size-fits-all approach toward regulation and limiting access works equally well for all 100 park units. It seems that this is precisely the kind of regulation that should see public workshops and meetings for public comment instead of being snuck in through the back door.
The final text of this regulation appears extreme in adding formal wilderness restrictions to cultural preserves and natural preserves. The Sun Runner urges interested parties to review the information linked to below, and to submit comments via e-mail by Monday, June 6.
Any interested person, or his or her authorized representative, may submit written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action to DPR. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile (FAX) at (916) 324-0301 or by email totrails@parks.ca.gov. The written comment period closes at 5 p.m. on June 6, 2016. DPR will consider only comments received at DPR offices by that time. Submit comments to:
Lisa Mangat, Director
California Department of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
Final Statement of Reasons: