Panel Agrees to $2 Million for Parkland

In a blow to Southern California conservationists, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday recommended only $2 million for the purchase of parkland for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area next year--the lowest figure in years.

The House of Representatives had approved $5 million, only one-third the amount that advocates had requested. President Clinton also included $5 million in his proposed budget for the 1995 fiscal year.

“We were hoping for $5 million, at least,” said Melissa Kuckro, legislative director for Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills), the recreation area’s preeminent House advocate. “This is a sign of how squeezed they are with discretionary spending” under Clinton’s deficit-reduction program.

Kuckro said Beilenson will urge a conference committee of Senate and House members to approve $5 million when it meets to reconcile the two chambers’ spending bills. In the past, however, the conference has often split the difference between the two spending figures.

The Senate panel’s action marked the latest step in an apparent decline in support for funding for the Santa Monicas. After several years when it received more acquisition money than any other unit of the national park system, the Southern California recreation area ranked fourth on the committee’s list, Senate aides said.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area topped the recommended recipients with $5.25 million.

In the final analysis, the Santa Monicas received $4 million last year, which was far less than it had been granted for any fiscal year since 1988.

This year, the National Park Service is seeking funds to acquire 19 properties, totaling 500 acres along the Backbone Trail, which are estimated to cost $10 million. The 43-mile trail winds along the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Park to Point Mugu.

Beilenson maintained that Southern California’s prolonged economic downturn has created temporary buying opportunities for normally expensive properties in the Santa Monica Mountains.

He also said that, given the vulnerability of the mountainous land to wildfires and mudslides, purchasing property for open space could save large sums in future disaster aid.