LAKE TAHOE — Legislature could decide this weekend if program is eliminated
A program with a more than two-decade history in the Lake Tahoe Basin could be on the chopping block this weekend when the California Legislature meets to iron out a long overdue budget.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 2009-10 budget calls for the elimination of the California Conservation Corps.
The corps enlists 18 to 25 year olds to conduct a variety of conservation work throughout the state, including natural disaster response, forest fuels reduction, revegetation and trail construction.
The corps runs one of its seven residential programs out of Meyers and has had a permanent presence around Lake Tahoe since 1983.
Schwarzenegger estimates the state could save $17 million in 2009-10 by eliminating the corps entirely.
But proponents of the program disagree.
“It’s a case of simply doing the math,” CCC Foundation Board Member Barbara O’Connor said in a statement. “Hiring CCC crews saves money now and would save money in the future. Ultimately, it’s California taxpayers who would have to shoulder the additional costs when the CCC is no longer a resource.”
California State Parks, Caltrans, the Department of Water Resources and Tahoe Conservancy are among the agencies that used the corps’ services last year, according to the statement. The cost of the work charged by the CCC was $7.1 million, while the cost of the work if it were to be performed by others would be $17.4 million, according to the statement.
The Tahoe Conservancy has relied on the conservation corps to help implement projects for 20 years, said the conservancy’s Deputy Director, Ray Lacey. It’s unclear how that work would get done without the CCC, Lacey added.
Schwarzenegger’s budget calls for additional support and increased grant funding in “future years” for 12 certified non-profit local conservation corps. The closest of the 12 local conservation corps is based in Sacramento.
El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago has said she opposes the governor’s proposal, and four former California governors have also showed support for the CCC.
In a letter to the governor on Feb. 4, Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis contend the local conservation corps are not inclined or able to take on a statewide role.
The governor’s proposal would also be detrimental to conservation efforts — as well as underserved young adults — statewide, according to the letter.
“Without the CCC residential program, there will be no opportunities for foster youth, for young adults from high-intensity gang areas or for others lacking a stable home environment,” according to the letter.
Both houses of the state Legislature are scheduled to vote Saturday on a budget package to address California's $42 billion shortfall.
Gov. Schwarzenegger says he’s optimistic the compromise plan will succeed. But Republicans are still refusing to commit until they see all the details.
The state is running dangerously low on cash and has already halted road projects and delayed some payments as legislative leaders and the governor have been locked in a battle for 100 days.
The tentative plan calls for some $14 billion in tax increases, $15 billion in cuts and $11 billion in borrowing.
Voters would also be asked to weigh in on five ballot measures, including a state spending cap and a plan to borrow against future lottery revenues.
— The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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