State park should help fund services

To the Editor:

Many in Columbia wonder why the Columbia Fire Protection District does not entitle them to lower fire insurance bills. Columbia is an unmanned station, and the biggest landowner, the state park, pays no district taxes. Hence, no money to pay emergency personnel.

In November 1950, the Park Commission approved the 1950 Master Plan Report and Recommendations for Columbia State Park. Page 18 of the recommendations reads: “State acquisition of lands within the Columbia Township will deprive the volunteer operation of tax funds that formerly supported its activities. It will therefore be necessary for the State to assume the expense of fire fighting, providing the fire equipment and its housing and maintenance.”

The legally valid 1980 Columbia State Park Plan still mistakenly lists the Columbia State Park Fire Prevention Facility, with its modern Van Pelt Engine operated by state park personnel as emergency services. The Main Street Firehouse addition that housed this engine and park personnel was turned into an office. The park further claims that Cal Fire provides emergency services. However, Columbia already was served by Cal Fire. The net deficit in funding still remains for the Columbia Fire District.

After 72 years, isn't it about time the state park finally lives up to its selfstated obligation and provide emergency services to the Columbia community and the state park visitors in compliance with CEQA, the Public Resources Code and its own legally valid planning documents? Payment in lieu of tax revenue would be a swell action.

Lawrence Hall

Columbia