Yes on Proposition 40

California is justly famous for its natural assets--a spectacular coastline, mountains, beaches and waterways, as well as the variety of its flora and fauna, from the North Coast redwoods to the Joshua trees of the Mojave Desert.

But in recent decades, chronic shortages of state funds and lack of commitment in Sacramento have starved these assets of the financing needed to save them from development, to cleanse them of pollution and to rescue and restore them.

The state made up some ground, especially in the state parks, with voter approval two years ago of a $2.1-billion bond issue. But most of that money is spent or committed while barely making a dent in the statewide need.

Voters can help save and preserve the state’s gems by approving a $2.6-billion bond measure, Proposition 40, on the March 5 primary election ballot.

Proposition 40 is particularly vital to Southern California because of the investment it would make in developing and rehabilitating urban parks and recreation.

The city of Los Angeles would be guaranteed $47 million for such facilities. It also would be eligible to compete for an additional $120 million in potential grants to conservancies seeking to preserve and restore the San Gabriel and lower Los Angeles rivers, the Baldwin Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Separately, Los Angeles County would get more than $37 million for parks and recreation areas.

But Proposition 40 is far broader in scope than city parks and playgrounds. Its allocations include $300 million for purchase of wildlife habitat; $300 million to protect and restore watersheds, rivers, lakes, beaches and coastal waters; and $267.5 million for the purchase, development and preservation of buildings, artifacts and other properties of cultural and historic importance.

The bonds would be repaid over 20 years. Bonds like this one are the proper way to finance long-range improvements that will serve future generations.

The state is well below its informal limits on bond debt, so Californians proud of their natural heritage can vote for Proposition 40 with no twinges about adding too much to the state’s obligations. Vote yes on Proposition 40.