Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that sought to protect state parks. One of the bills was sponsored by Senator Christine Kehoe of San Diego.
Kehoe said she introduced the legislation partly as a response to the battle over a proposed toll road extension in northern San Diego County.
She said proposals for development projects in state parks located in San Diego County show stronger protection is needed.
"Sunrise Powerlink only narrowly averted going right through the heart of Anza-Borrego," Kehoe said. "The wall at the Mexican border is going right through Border Field State Park. And of course, the Orange County toll road dips into San Diego County."
Kehoe said her bill would have given the state Legislature the power to rule on development proposals in state parks.
She said the Governor's veto message said his executive authority is sufficient to protect parks from development.
The California State Parks Foundation said an informal survey of state parks two years ago found 122 possible development projects in 73 state parks.