We advocate policies for Northern California which provide the maximum access to the state's public beaches free of charge and without denial of the public's right to coastal access, to view the sunset, and to breathe the salt air.

Free Our Beaches understands that camping and developed areas of the coast charge for use. This should not include parking and walking on our state and county beaches. We believe we have an unalienable right to this access through Proposition 20 and through past promises, history, and the right to access. The current budget crisis is temporary but the installation of the so called Iron Rangers will be permanent. We ask the state to resolve their budget crisis without charging to park in areas which are currently free. This includes paved parking lots and access points to free beaches.

Aside from the unjust nature of using access restrictions to gain revenue, it is discriminatory against poor people. This hurts fisher people and surfers, young and old, and punishes the local stewards of the coast. We respectfully request that no decision be made prior to the so called Tax the Rich initiative in November and not before the State Parks Department has had a full and open disclosure of their plan to fee the beaches.

Now, therefore Be it resolved, we want to Free Our Beaches.

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