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Please help defend California's largest state park from energy developers and off-road vehicles!

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is truly a national jewel. Located in Riverside and San Diego counties, it is the largest California state park and is a critical refuge for endangered plant and wildlife species, including approximately 60% of California's remaining peninsular bighorn sheep population. Anza-Borrego's magnificent arid landscape of giant boulders, mesas, canyons, sand dunes, and famous groves of majestic native palm trees attract visitors from around the world.

Though founded in 1933, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park still does not have a management plan to guide the California Department of Parks and Recreation's stewardship of the area. Over the last few years park staff have worked hard to develop a General Management Plan for the park and finally completed one earlier this year. The proposed plan recommends that over 54,000 acres of the park be designated as wilderness, and that other areas be protected for their historical and natural values. The plan also provides a blueprint for how to meet the growing demands of visitors to the park.

Before it can be implemented, the park's plan must be approved by the California State Park and Recreation Commission. The commission was scheduled to vote on the plan in October, but appeals from anti-environmental groups to the new Schwarzenegger administration has resulted in a delay in the vote. Meanwhile, energy developers, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, mountain bikers, and others are taking advantage of the delay to lobby Governor Schwarzenegger to oppose the proposed management plan. We can't let the forces of development overrun our parks!

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can help defend Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by writing a letter as soon as possible to:

Caryl O. Hart, Chair
California State Park and Recreation Commission
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Fax: 916-653-4458

In your letter, you should explain why the park is important to you and then make the following points in your own words:

• The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park General Management Plan is an excellent document that balances the needs of people with the protection of the environment.
• The General Management Plan is the result of years of study and a great deal of public input.
• The General Management Plan deserves the unanimous support of the State Park and Recreation Commission.

Thanks for your help!