Hearings today on state park closures

Two state Assembly committees today are discussing the impacts of closing state parks and looking for ways to avoid the closures.

The hearings, which began at 9 a.m. in Sacramento, are being held by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, chairman of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, chairman of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee

The governors office in May released a list of 70 proposed park closures, including popular Annadel in Santa Rosa. Since that time, more information has become available on the impacts and costs and Huffman authored legislation for partnerships to help prevent some closures.

The hearing will focus on how the list was developed and an update in the closure process.

Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas and Kathy Bailey of the Anderson Valley Chamber of Commerce will discuss some of the unseen costs of park closures.

Check back later today for coverage of the hearings.