BILL NUMBER:  SB 679
  VETOED	DATE: 10/12/2009




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 679 without my signature.

This bill requires the State Park and Recreation Commission
(Commission) to certify that all requests to dispose of, or change
the use of, any land in the State Park system for anything other than
park purposes, be accompanied by substitute property that is subject
to specific requirements.

This bill is duplicative of existing statute and significantly
reduces the state's ability to effectively manage the State Park
system.

Under existing law, the Director of Parks, through an extensive
process with the Department of General Services and the State Public
Works Board, may sell, exchange, and acquire State Park property
deemed necessary for the extension, improvement, or development of
the State Park system.  Whether it is roads, water and energy
infrastructure, or areas necessary for the installation of renewable
energy facilities, maintaining the flexibility of the current process
is absolutely necessary as the state continues to strive to meet its
infrastructure needs for a growing population.

Additionally, although we all shuttered with displeasure at the
potential impacts, the Legislature passed and I signed a budget that
has major impacts on our state park system.  While I was able to keep
all of our state parks open in the current fiscal year, we cannot
ignore the fact that there are significant costs associated with
running this system for the benefit of the public.  In times of
fiscal crisis, we must be able to balance the costs and benefits of
our park system with the costs and benefits of other important
government programs.  This proposal would limit our ability to do so.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger