Worst cut scenario

State parks all over California face the prospect of closure or heavy cuts in services, but a number of lawmakers are convinced the California State Park’s Office is pulling a fast one on taxpayers.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, commenting on proposed cuts at Bolsa Chica State Beach park that would reduce its seasonal lifeguard staff by 50%, said the proposal was nothing more than a “scare tactic” characteristic of bureaucracies seeking to preserve their financial footing.

Bolsa Chica is one of 16 parks proposed for seasonal reductions aimed at mitigating the state’s projected $14.5-billion deficit, though 48 state parks have also been selected for total closures — including Pio Pico, California Citrus, Will Rogers, Los Encinos and Mount San Jacinto State Parks.

“I know they are trying to scare us, and that’s typical of people that are trying to not have any reform,” Rohrabacher said.

“They are trying to scare people and keep the system the way it is, and we need to make it better and more efficient.”

Rohrabacher has no control over the situation because he’s a federal lawmaker, but state legislators vow to do what they can to stave off the cuts.

Assemblyman Van Tran said he had been in meetings with other members of the Republican caucus to discuss approaches — including putting the lifeguard positions up to bid for private contractors, curbing the department’s acquisition of further park land (which would drive up maintenance costs), and reallocating money the department spends on pork barrel projects.

He agreed with Rohrabacher’s assessment that the numbers would most likely not reflect the final cuts in next year’s state budget.

“There is a concern that the governor is presenting the worst case — the Armageddon scenario, if you will — to scare people, as well as inducing the legislature into an atmosphere or position in which we would have to consider raising taxes,” he said. “That should be the absolute last option.”

Sheryl Watson, a spokeswoman for the California State Parks, said the department had carefully considered its options when cutting the proposed 10% from its budget.

“[Raising user fees] is a possibility, but we have seen what happens when we do that: lose attendance,” she said. “People like to come to the park — it’s affordable recreation — and when it prices some families out of that opportunity, they go elsewhere. We’d like to maintain attendance as much as possible, and one way of doing that is maintaining the quality of service in the parks that will stay open.”

Frequent Bolsa Chica visitor Phyllis Christy, who said she walks the length of the beach every day, said the lack of seasonal lifeguards wouldn’t affect her use of the park, but it may have an impact on her 8- and 10-year-old grandchildren.

“They may have to bring an extra friend and be especially careful,” she said.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].