PARK FEES ON RISE.Byline: Bill Becher Special to the Daily NewsCalifornia's continuing budget crisis means you'll have to spend more to visit or camp at a state park this summer. Officials said fees would be raised beginning July 1, 2004 to offset budget cuts, provide for ongoing maintenance and keep the parks open. Day- use fees, currently $3 to $5, will increase to $4 to $14. Camping fees, which now range from $8 to $13, will jump to $11 to $25, depending on location and time of year. Boat launching fees will more than double. The new fee schedule was announced this month because it will apply to campers making reservations as of January 2, 2004, for the month of July 2004. Reservations made for months before July 2004 will be at the existing rates. In some cases, fees will be increased only slightly. At the state's most popular campgrounds and at prime locations during peak times of the year, parking or camping fees will increase significantly. ``After repeated budget reductions, we have reached the point where there is no other choice,' State Parks Director Ruth Coleman Ruth Nancy Coleman (b. September 27, 1931) was an Australian Senator who represented the Australian Labor Party for the state of Western Australia. She served as a Senator for 14 years, from April 18 1974 to June 5 1987. said. The State Parks' budget was reduced by nearly $20 million over the past two years. The parks system reorganized re·or·gan·ize v. re·or·gan·ized, re·or·gan·iz·ing, re·or·gan·iz·es v.tr. To organize again or anew. v.intr. To undergo or effect changes in organization. middle and upper management and consolidated 23 statewide park districts down to 18 to save rent, lease, electricity and other overhead costs overhead costs see fixed costs. . The management reorganization and an ongoing hiring freeze Noun 1. hiring freeze - a freeze on hiring freeze - fixing (of prices or wages etc) at a particular level; "a freeze on hiring" reduced the State Parks' work force by nearly 200. The state park system must reduce its 2004-2005 operating budget Noun 1. operating budget - a budget for current expenses as distinct from financial transactions or permanent improvements budget items, operating cost, operating expense, overhead - the expense of maintaining property (e.g. an additional $15 million. Coleman said the new fee structure allows for an adjustment of camping fees based on location and time of year. Park visitors can choose less expensive locations or less expensive time periods. At least seven other states have raised their state park fees in the past year in response economic and budget problems similar to those in California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). . The new fee structure will be posted on the California State Parks This is a list of state parks and reserves in the California state park system. Jump to: External links A : Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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