Discover Pass revenue helping to reopen closed recreation areas

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Discover Pass revenue helping to reopen closed recreation areas State DNR reopens campgrounds in Ahtanum State Forest
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/2011_08_03_reopenrec_nr.aspx

"One month after the state launched the Discover Pass on July 1, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reopened Snow Cabin Campground in the Ahtanum State Forest. DNR closed the campground in 2009 after experiencing a nearly 50-percent cut to its recreation funding."

So here's what I'm trying to figure out.  They had a budget shortfall (which this pass is supposed to make up for).  They've closed sites and cut back services etc at others to be able to keep sites open.  By my calculations, by mid July they've made approx $80k  (according to their newsletter on 21 Jul the state has made $1.5mil on pass sales).  So how can they afford to open closed sites when they should be using the funds to maintain and restore services to the sites they barely have open?  I'm all for opening sites back up but let's take a look at priorities.  It should be full funding to current sites and then open sites as discover pass funding comes in. 

[bigtex]

More sites open means more areas that require the Discover Pass, thus bringing in more $ 

[bobcat]

They're probably opening it in anticipation of the additional revenue coming in.

[Pathfinder101]

I think Bigtex is probably correct.  Opening more sites will bring more revenue in than maintaining sites that are already open.  Like taking all of your profits for your business and opening another store across town...

[leed]

I ahd a long converstaion with the Recreation Coordinator for DNR SE Region at a recent meeting.  They, unlike WDFW, sat down and looked at projected income from it and immeadiately started a plan to get areas open and start more maintenace of existing sites. You will start seeing requests for public input on additional recreation possibilities in the near future. Talks over even creating more campgrounds etc. DNR is excited to have additionalfunding andthe Coordinator stated the purchasers of the "Discover Pass" will begin seeing a return for the extra money in the near future.

[longashes]

I'm surprised ... yet hopeful that Discovery Pass revenue will go to natural resources and not the general fund!!

[bobcat]

http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/discover-pass-brings-results-dnr-starts-to-reopen-recreation-facilities-ahtanum-state-forest-for-example/

[predatorpro]

http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/discover-pass-brings-results-dnr-starts-to-reopen-recreation-facilities-ahtanum-state-forest-for-example/

what a coincidence!

[bigtex]

I ahd a long converstaion with the Recreation Coordinator for DNR SE Region at a recent meeting.  They, unlike WDFW, sat down and looked at projected income from it and immeadiately started a plan to get areas open and start more maintenace of existing sites. You will start seeing requests for public input on additional recreation possibilities in the near future. Talks over even creating more campgrounds etc. DNR is excited to have additionalfunding andthe Coordinator stated the purchasers of the "Discover Pass" will begin seeing a return for the extra money in the near future.

Will be interesting to see if DNR creates any "recreation areas" in SE WA that will require the Discover Pass since no DNR lands in SE WA require the pass rite now.

[Pathfinder101]

I ahd a long converstaion with the Recreation Coordinator for DNR SE Region at a recent meeting.  They, unlike WDFW, sat down and looked at projected income from it and immeadiately started a plan to get areas open and start more maintenace of existing sites. You will start seeing requests for public input on additional recreation possibilities in the near future. Talks over even creating more campgrounds etc. DNR is excited to have additionalfunding andthe Coordinator stated the purchasers of the "Discover Pass" will begin seeing a return for the extra money in the near future.

Will be interesting to see if DNR creates any "recreation areas" in SE WA that will require the Discover Pass since no DNR lands in SE WA require the pass rite now.

waddaya tryin' ta do?  jinx us...?  shhhhh... we were hoping they wouldn't realize we are here...

[saylean]

I would like to know how much the state spent to:

A: Design the Discovery Pass logo
B: Pay for the creation of all those metal signs (at discovery pass lots)
C: Pay for the constuction and placement of all the signs

I guess it takes money to MAKE money....

This discovery pass has left a poor taste in my mouth.

[phishisgroovin]

i will believe it when i see it, until then i think the state will squander the money away on un-needed BS things like pay raises for themselves.

[MtnMuley]

We're not going to gain anything out of the discovery pass except emptier pockets.