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# Environmental groups urge reinstating Shriver and Eastwood to state parks panel
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/chiming-in/
- Published: 2008-03-31T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:05:14.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Government & Politics, Downtown, #archive-import

*NRDC and other environmental groups call on governor to re-appoint Shriver, Eastwood*

DOWNTOWN A national environmental group is calling on the governor to reinstate his brother-in-law, Santa Monica City Councilman Bobby Shriver, and actor-director Clint Eastwood to a state parks panel, and for legislators to investigate the role of the panel and whether or not it is truly independent.

In a letter signed by Joel Reynolds of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in Santa Monica, as well as 10 other organizations including Environment California, Surfrider Foundation and the Sierra Club, environmentalists blast the governor for his support of a proposed six-lane toll road through a state park at San Onofre and his decision to not re-appoint Shriver and Eastwood to the California State Park and Recreation Commission.

The letter was addressed to State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, and State Sen. Darrell Steinberg, chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water.

“With the state parks systems already threatened by budget cuts, park closures, and ever-increasing proposals for development, it is clear that we have reached a critical moment in the history of the parks system that threatens our natural resources heritage,” the letter states. “Indeed there are currently no less than 113 proposals for development across 73 of our state parks. It is difficult to recall any time in California’s history when our world-class system of parks has been more at risk from a range of threats.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger removed Shriver and Eastwood from the commission last week, saying he wanted some “fresh legs.” Shriver and Eastwood were appointed to the commission by former Gov. Gray Davis and re-appointed by Schwarzenegger. A spokesman for the governor said the decision to not re-appoint them had nothing to do with their opposition to the toll road, however, Shriver has said publicly that he believes it was.

Shriver said he didn’t think it was necessary for the legislators to conduct an investigation into the governor’s decision, but he believed a hearing on the state of public lands is needed given the governor’s proposal to close some parks, including Will Rogers and Topanga. Before he was dismissed, Shriver scheduled a public hearing on the proposed closure of those two parks. The hearing is set for April 16 at the Santa Monica Civic Center.

“I can’t understand it, but if people feel there is something there, and the NRDC is a legendary organization, it’s kind of hard to argue against (an investigation),” Shriver said Friday. “I think only good things can come of it, especially if it brings more attention to our park system.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 31, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/033108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)