SACRAMENTO, Calif. Dec. 14, 2016 — California State Parks seeks public comment on an amended proposed California Code of Regulation aimed to protect natural and cultural resources in highly-sensitive areas within the state park system. The public review period is now open until 5 p.m., Jan. 18, 2017.
The department manages 280 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational sources to be found within California. Within the state park system, natural preserves, cultural preserves, state natural reserves and state cultural reserves are special classifications for areas with the most sensitive resources, such as historical structures, endangered habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native-American sites, etc.
The proposed new rule would provide California State Parks the authority and discretion to regulate off-trail use in these sensitive areas, while continuing to provide limited and appropriate public access depending on their resource protection needs.
Copies of the notice of proposed action, the initial statement of reasons, and the original and revised text of the regulations in underline and strikeout can be accessed through the department’s website at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27460.
California State Parks first proposed to adopt the regulation in April 2016 after determining that such regulation is necessary to ensure the preservation of natural and cultural resources in the state’s highly-sensitive areas. A public comment period for the initial draft was held from April 2016 to June 2016 with a public hearing held in San Diego on June 22, 2016. Based on feedback from the first public comment period, amendments were made to the proposed Section 4325, Title 14, Chapter 1, to clarify where the regulation will apply and the manner by which the department will designate the areas that are exempt.
Any interested person or his/her authorized representative may submit written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action to California State Parks. Comments may also be submitted via facsimile (FAX) at (916) 324-0301 or by email to trails@parks.ca.gov.
Written comments can be submitted to:
| California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| ATT: Lisa Mangat, Director |
| P.O. Box 942896 |
| Sacramento, CA 94296 |