Paddle for State Parks

The Paddle for State Parks is a grassroots project designed to raise public awareness of the threats to our California State Parks From: http://www. driftmagazine. co. uk/newsread. asp?id=1436

WHAT: Hans Fernan, an Encinitas lifeguard, will lead a group of paddlers over a period of six days and paddle the entire coastline of San Diego County from Border Field State Park to San Onofre State Park- a total of over 70 miles.. The last day of the paddle will coincide with the opening day of the surfing world tour event at Trestles Beach in San Onofre State Park. The paddle is being supported by WiLDCOAST, a nonprofit organization that protects and preserves coastal ecosystems in the Californias and Latin America..

WHY: Both underfunding and proposed development projects threaten our parks.. Earlier this year, the Governor proposed closing 48 state parks (17% of the entire system) and reducing lifeguard staffing on 16 of the state's most popular beaches.. Proposed development projects currently threaten 2 of the state's most popular state parks which both happen to be in San Diego County.. If built, the 241 Toll Road would destroy 60% of San Onofre State Park, and the Sunrise Powerlink would forever change Anza Borrega State Park..Most Californians believe that our state parks are permanent- that they will exist forever for future generations to enjoy. However, as these development projects show, this is not the case. .This paddle is an effort to provoke public dialog by drawing attention to the need for our state elected officials to develop legislation that will protect our state parks from underfunding and future development projects- FOREVER..

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PADDLE:• Join the Paddle: If you're an active paddler up for the challenge, join Hans on any or all legs of the trip• Provide Transportation: Paddlers will need rides to/from paddle locations.Volunteers should have a car with surf racks or a truck• Spread the Word: Forward this on to anyone who might be interested in the project; post it on public forums, etc• Advocate for State Parks: Write or call your state elected officials from the CA State Assembly and Senate urging them to support all state parks by opposing the 241 Toll Road through San Onofre and the Sunrise Powerlink through Anza Borrego, and help to pass The California State Park Access Pass being proposed by Rep.Laird (D-Santa Cruz) The California State Park Access Pass is a proposal to provide critical funding for the state park system, while offering Californians free day-use access to their state parks.. It creates a new funding stream for supporting California's state parks by instituting a $10 surcharge on vehicle license fees of all non-commercial vehicles in California and some light commercial vehiclesTo contact your representatives visit: www. savestateparks. org

PADDLE LOCATIONS AND DISTANCES:•
September 2 - Border Field State Park (Imperial Beach) to Coronado 10..5 miles•
September 3- Coronado around Point Loma 3..8 mile to Ocean Beach Pier 6..4 miles total for day 10..2 miles•
September 4- Ocean Beach around Seal Rock 6..8 miles to Scripps Pier 2..5 total for day 9..3 miles•
September 5- Scripps to Encinitas Moonlight Beach 12..7 miles•
September 6 - Encinitas to Oceanside Pier 11..5 miles
• September 7- Oceanside to San Onofre State Beach 18..0 miles• Total miles 72..2

CONTACTS:Hans Fernan, Project Lead, (760) 504-9046 ; Ben McCue, WiLDCOAST, (619) 423-8665 x 208