SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks will be part of the more than 40 California marine law enforcement agencies joining hundreds of enforcement agencies across the United States to increase patrols and/or carry out Boating Under the Influence (BUI) checkpoints on July 5-7 over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Dubbed Operation Dry Water (ODW), the enforcement program’s goal is to help reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related accidents and fatalities and foster a stronger, more visible deterrent to boating under the influence.

After more than three decades, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) last week held a joint commission meeting with its four commissions in Sacramento that included a tour of state parks in the area. Commission members from Boating and Waterways, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, State Historical Resources and State Park and Recreation met on September 27 and 28, provided their expertise and feedback, and listened to staff and public input on the department’s various programs, projects and future.