“Save our historic parks”

Behind a well-publicized signature-writing campaign, local “electeds” have been quietly meeting with State Park officials and others to keep South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins from the state’s closure list, according to letters in the Supervisor’s agenda packet for next Tuesday’s meeting. (This confirms what I had pointed to on Jan. 14. Details in graf five and six here.).

As a result, they have developed two proposals: restrict parking on Pleasant Valley Road, clearing the way for the state to charge for parking at South Yuba State Park to generate needed revenue to keep the park open. According to my sources, it would be a modest charge of around $5 per day. I expect the state to approve the plan; this is what they’re looking for throughout the state. (A link to other day-use fees, which are common, can be found here).

In addition, begin a collaborative effort to develop a solar energy system to help reduce energy costs at Malakoff Diggins, according to a letter addressed to the state. Local contractors will be used in this effort.

Here’s what we find most exciting: Though our community is known for being so politically polarized, this is a unified effort among “electeds” of all political stripes: Supervisors Hank Weston and Ted Owens are participating in the talks. But the other Supervisors and all City Council members in Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee — from “A”nderson (Richard) in Truckee to “Y”olanda (Cookson) in Grass Valley — will be signing a letter to Governor Brown to support keep both State Parks open. At Tuesday’s meeting, the supervisors are expected to OK that both letters be sent to state officials.

“Our intent is to speak as individuals, and also to convey the equally committed voices of our constituents,” according to the letter contained in the agenda packet to Brown. “Our unanimity here should be seen as a clear and strong indication of our unqualified support for the community’s work to keep these parks open for the public’s use and for the overall health of our area.”

The letter, dated January 12, also is addressed to John Laird (secretary for natural resources); Ruth Coleman (director of California State Parks); Senator Doug LaMalfa and Assemblyman Dan Logue.

As for the specific proposals to keep the park open, “should the state agree to the proposals, the Director of Public Works would return to the Board with a draft ordinance for the parking restriction.”

The parking plan is intended to direct users to existing and proposed parking lots where pedestrians will be separated from dangerous vehicle traffic on Pleasant Valley Road, according to the memo.

It adds: “Supervisor Owens and I also would begin community outreach for assistance in developing a solar energy plan for Malakoff Diggins.”

The state’s main concern with this park is the cost of fuel to run power to several buildings for generators, lighting and security systems. Again, as soon as the county receives written assurances that Malakoff Diggins would re-open under this arrangement, the county will work with local contractors to develop a a formal proposal.

“Ultimately the county’s costs for the first proposal would be for the labor and materials to place the road signs. The county’s cost for the second proposal should be negligible.” The letter is to Matt Green, acting superintendent for the California State Parks Gold Fields District.