Palomar Mountain News

MICHAEL GARDNER •U-T

SACRAMENTO

The U.S. Forest Service remains noncommittal toward taking over Palomar Mountain State Park next year, further complicating the future of the North San Diego County getaway cherished by generations of hikers, campers and anglers.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for you,” said park Superintendent Nedra Martinez in an interview. “I am cautious about them doing it by July.”

The downbeat assessment came just before state lawmakers on Tuesday began to probe how the state Department of Parks and Recreation drew up a list of 70 parks to be padlocked, including Palomar.

Visitors to the 1,800-acre Palomar Mountain State Park canstill hike the trails, fishDoane Pond or picnic — at least until July 1when the final closure order is scheduled to be posted. But its campgrounds abruptly closed Oct. 2, and refunds were mailed.

Gov. Jerry Brown has cut spending on parks by $22 million through June 30, 2013, and directed the department to prepare for closures. About 70 — one in four statewide — may be shuttered, depending on how many are eventually taken over by public or private interests.

Legislators were sharply critical of the process, saying state parks officials did not fully analyze all of the economic repercussions if visitors are locked out, such as the loss of jobs and revenues in nearby local communities, as well as a drop in state tax receipts.

Lawmakers said state parks officials also finalized the list in secret, slighted the risk to endangered species and have not been aggressive enough in pursuing other funding or joint ventures.

Parks officials say the process is still evolving, suggesting that some parks may not close as they analyze more financial data and offers to take over facilities. Impacts on wildlife will be vetted during that time, they said.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, who led the questioning, said what’s just as troubling as the unprecedented closures is the risk of discovering later that lost revenues far exceeded the cost of keeping parks open.

In a later interview, Huffman said he is convinced that with all sides working cooperatively, the number of parks shuttered can be pared significantly.

“I’m not questioning the governor’s proposal to share sacrifice,” Huffmansaid. “I’m just questioning the strategy how to get there.”

During the three-hour hearing, lawmakers also reviewed some now-familiar options. Those include additional deals with nonprofits, more outreach to donors, a checkoff on state tax forms to raise money, and a pricing strategy that would charge more for camping and parking during peak demand, such as on holidays.

In San Diego County, Palomar Superintendent Martinez is working to avoid a complete shutdown of the park. She has had discussions with various interested parties, including nearby Cleveland National Forest officials.

Martinez said her pessimism about federal involvement by July 1 stems from the realization that “the red tape is a lot longer” than either the state or federal officials originally thought.

John Heil, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service in California, said the agency is just beginning to explore possibilities.

“We need a comprehensive understanding of what the state is requesting,” he said.

Until then, it’s impossible to speculate on any deal or timing, Heil added.

The National Park Service has agreed to take over three Northern California state parks that are adjacent to federal property. But there is not a national park near Palomar.

Meanwhile, Martinez said she will take another look at a proposal by John Summers, a Los Angeles resident who has prepared a takeover plan for Palomar.

In an email, Summers said he wants to work with the state but is running out of patience. “We’re not going to wait much longer,” he said.

Each passing day worries Joshua Kaskin, an Escondido businessman who has launched a Facebook page dedicated to giving the public a platform to protest Palomar’s pending closure.

“I’m just one guy who loves the park and wants to do something to save it,” he said in an interview.

mike.gardner@uniontrib.com

(916) 445-2934