Want a Simpler Pass System? Take This Survey

Have you ever driven to a trailhead only to realize that you don’t have the correct recreation access pass, such as the Northwest Forest Pass or Discover Pass, in your glove box? Have you dreamed of a simpler or more equitable system?

Now is your chance to speak up.

A step towards a better system

While public lands remain chronically underfunded, recreation access passes like the Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass remain a reality for land management agencies. But there is plenty of room for improvement.

Thanks to a bill that hikers helped pass in 2016, state and federal land agencies, and recreation groups including WTA, are working together to do just that. The goal: "improve consistency, equity, and simplicity in recreational access fee systems while accounting for the fiscal health and stability of public land management.” The legislation also requested exploration of the potential for coordinating federal and state fees, including a “single pass to provide access to state and federal lands” and a “comprehensive and consistent approach to recreational fee discounts and exemptions.”

The simplification of the recreation access fee system is something that WTA has long supported. We’re glad to be a member of the Steering Committee working with the Ruckelshaus Center and Washington State University, land management agencies, such as Washington State Parks, the United States Forest Service and Washington State departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife, outdoor recreation and fishing and hunting groups on this review process.

Share Your Thoughts on recreation access passes

In order to gauge the public’s interest and feelings surrounding outdoor recreation and access passes, a survey has been designed to garner feedback.

It is critical that the Steering Committee and others involved in this process hear from Washington hikers.

• Please take the survey and provide your thoughts about the future of outdoor recreation and access passes for Washington.

Next Steps for the Recreation Access Pass Process

Once the survey closes at the end of August, results will be analyzed and provided to the groups working together to simplify the pass system.

From there, the information from the surveys will be used to inform the recreation access pass review process.

In late 2017 or early 2018, a report will be provided to the State Legislature identifying next steps and recommendations for Washington’s recreation access pass systems.