$3 Million Proposed for the Santa Monicas : Budget: President includes funding for land acquisition. But the figure marks one of the lowest amounts ever for the mountain parkland.

While President Clinton didn’t forget the Santa Monica Mountains in his 1996 budget proposal released Monday, the $3 million he requested for land acquisition would mark one of the lowest amounts ever for the recreational area.

The $3-million figure is no surprise to those who have watched funding for the parkland drop steadily over the past 15 years. The glory days of the late 1980s and early 1990s, during which the expanding area received an average of $12 million a year, are long gone, officials agree.

Supporters of the 150,000 acres of rugged parkland were thankful that the Santa Monicas were not left out altogether. And the real fight may come in keeping the $3 million in the budget as the Republican Congress scrutinizes the President’s plan.

“Both because of budgetary pressures and the spending priorities of the new leadership in Congress, this is going to be the most difficult year we have ever faced in obtaining funds for the park from Congress,” said Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills), who sponsored the legislation that created the recreation area in 1978.

Since its first $20.7 million allocation, funding has been a mixed bag for the park, which extends 43 miles from Griffith Park in Los Angeles to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County.

The Santa Monicas received no money at all in 1983, but amassed $67 million between 1989 and 1993. Last year, Congress approved $5 million for park expansion, the same as Clinton requested.

In 1993, Clinton sought no funds but the Santa Monicas still managed to win $4 million from Congress.

Initially, the National Park Service was to acquire 35,000 acres in five years for a total of $155 million. But then-President Ronald Reagan did not request funds for the park during the early years, and land prices soared. Now, Congress has appropriated roughly $145 million for a total of 21,012 acres.

Although the $3 million has not been earmarked for any specific purchases, park officials say future sites may include more land along the Backbone Trail and additional stretches in the Circle X Ranch area.

“It’s important to preserve the few remaining acres in the mountains for open space,” said park service spokeswoman Jean Bray.