Obama May Fund More Santa Monica Mountains Open Space

A view from the top of Mount Boney within the National Recreation Area | Photo by Randy Son Of Robert

Although President Bush visited the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in 2003, he never gave funding for land acquisition during his presidency. Now President Obama "has proposed spending $420 million next year to buy land for national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, and to help states fund parks and recreation projects," reports the LA Times.

Of that money, officials at the National Park Service hope to use some of that money to purchase a portion of the 27,700 acres in their land protection plan. Currently, Reps. Howard L. Berman (D-Valley Village) and Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) want $10 million for 665 acres in Malibu.

"Everything I'm hearing from the current administration is very positive," said park Superintendent Woody Smeck to the Times. "We have made great progress in building a grand national park within greater Los Angeles. I am an eternal optimist that we can finish the work for our children. What a great gift it would be."

Last Week: Santa Monicas receive $10 million in stimulus funding.