Proposition 68 Park Bond Boosts Bay Wetlands

by Beckie Zisser
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In Advocate

Tidal Wetlands by Paul Crockett
In this series of 5 posts, we examine the different June ballot measures that affect San Francisco Bay Voters in June will have a chance to vote for San Francisco Bay when they consider Proposition 68, the first statewide parks and water bond since 2006. Prop. 68 would authorize $4.1 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration, water infrastructure, and flood protection. This includes $20 million for San Francisco Bay to match funds from 2016’s regional Measure AA and accelerate restoration projects around the Bay, creating vital wildlife habitat and increasing our ability to adapt to rising seas.In addition to matching Measure AA funds, Prop. 68 will do the following:

  • Deliver $725 million to provide more equitable access to parks. Creates and improves parks in park-poor neighborhoods, and dedicates up to 20 percent of its funds for communities with median household incomes less than 60 percent of the statewide average.
  • Invest $1.3 billion in local and state parks to ensure all Californians have safe, accessible places to play, and preserves California’s natural treasures. Focuses on new recreational opportunities for people living in underserved communities.
  • Allocate $1.6 billion to ensure the availability of clean drinking water. Secures water supplies, including support for groundwater cleanup and recharge, water recycling, pollution prevention, and flood control.
  • Provide $1.2 billion to protect and restore California’s open spaces, and make them more resilient to wildfires, floods, and drought.

Prop. 68 is endorsed by: Save The Bay Action Fund, Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sierra Club, Audubon CA, Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, CA State Parks Foundation, State Building and Construction Trades Council, CA Chamber of Commerce, and all of the Bay Area’s major parks advocacy and open space preservation groups. For details on all measures affecting the Bay, read the full June voter guide from Save The Bay Action Fund.