New $30 annual fee for visitors to Washington parks

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By Seattle Times staff and Associated Press

Starting July 1, Washington state will charge a $30 annual fee for people who visit state parks and other state-managed recreational lands.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Thursday afternoon creating the new Discover Pass. It comes amid steep budget cuts for parks.

"I applaud the Legislature for coming together with a solution that allows us to help keep our state recreation lands open and accessible during the worst budget crisis in the state's history," said Gregoire in a statement issued Thursday.

Visitors can purchase a $30 annual vehicle pass or a $10 single-day pass. Beginning July 1, people who do not have a Discover Pass displayed on their vehicle at state lands face a fine of $99.

The pass will be required for access to state parks and other lands managed by the state. That includes boat launches, heritage sites, wildlife areas and trailheads managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources.

There are exemptions, however. At certain designated locations visitors will be able to park for up to 30 minutes without needing the pass. Those paying fees to camp at a state park do not need the permit (although if other parks in the area are visited, a Discover Pass is necessary). And those holding a Sno-Park winter-recreation pass and hunting or fishing license for certain state-managed lands do not need a Discover Pass.

Visitors can purchase passes online or in retail outlets that also sell hunting and fishing licenses. It will be available as of mid-June.

Get more information at www.discoverpass.wa.gov/

Kristin Jackson of The Seattle Times contributed to this report.

from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2015039713_stateparkfee12.html

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By Seattle Times staff
OLYMPIA —

A pass required to access state parks and recreation lands by vehicle is now available for purchase online and at recreational license dealers.

Called the Discover Pass, it’s required for vehicle access starting July 1 to recreation lands and water-access sites managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, according to a joint news release from the agencies.

The annual pass is $30 and the one-day pass is $10. You can purchase the pass online at discoverpass.wa.gov or by calling 866-320-9933. The pass is also available at about 600 sporting goods and other retail stores if you want to pay an extra fee. For a list of licensing vendors go to: seati.ms/jTXxPK.

Some hunters, fishermen, campers and others don’t need a pass. To find out if you’re exempt go to: seati.ms/mBOtd6.

The penalty for failing to display the pass is $99.

The pass was approved by the 2011 Legislature as a way to wean the state parks system off state General Fund.

from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015379332_stateparks21.html