Dicover Pass Poll

[Elkstuffer]

Bought one last year. Will buy another this year. I don't donate $5 to the parks when I buy my tabs anymore which totaled $40 every year so I'm actually coming out ahead. My biggest complaint is that they are only good for 1 vehicle. I have 3 that I take to the hills.

[Bigtine96]

Didnt buy one nor will I ever buy one, I spend to much money as it is hunting this *censored*ty state as a resident...

[adamR]

Didn't buy one last year but did last weekend.  The wife was to scared of getting in trouble and I got tired of listening to it.

[TheHunt]

I purchased one last year.  But I have not purchased on this year yet.  I was waiting for the change of the law so that I can buy one to cover multiple vehicles.   

[bobcat]

I would buy one this year if they made it transferable between vehicles. But it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so I won't be buying one. The only way we'll get one is if the wife wants to take the kids to the state park, then we won't have a choice. I'm not going to spend $10 for just one day, I'd rather spend the $30 and be good for the entire year. I will avoid DNR lands where it is required as much as possible, even though I know it's not being enforced.

[Klyne3]

Fortunately I hunt private land but, I purchased one last year and will do the same this year. The DNR where we go fairly often requires one and you get check almost every weekend, don't if they are issuing tickets or not.

However my other half just went and renewed tabs on the atvs. The lady at the licensing office said that they were going to be making the Discover Pass cover 2 vehicle but will be raising the cost of our atv tags $10.00 each. Don't if or when this will take effect, just passing along info we were told.

Screwed if I do or don't.

[washelkhunter]

Next year theyll come out with the Explorer Pass for $50 and all you who have bought the discover pass will get that one too.

[The Weazle]

Jackalope, I think its good you buy a pass. If you use the state parks and enjoy doing so, buy one and feel proud. I mean that with all sincerity. Most people's problem is that they don't use the park but that is where most of the funds go. This is a PARKS pass that is required other places. That is why i refuse to buy one... My mother LOVES the parks and bought 2 last year. She loves taking her grandchildren to the parks...  Fees are appropriate to pay for services provided and used. 

I couldnt have said it better myself...

My question is:  I dont use DNR lands.  I dont use WDFW lands, but I use a state park to launch my boat.  I have to buy the Natural Investment pass to launch it.  That pass is $75 or $5 a day.  Do I also need the discover pass to park in the state park I am using to launch the boat?  Or can I now launch the boat with the $30 discover pass and forego the Natural Investment pass?  No one can answer that question, not even the WDFW, State, or any other agency I have called...There are so many passes, and so many rules, no one knows what they are or arent good for anymore.  I didnt buy one last year, and dont PLAN on buying it this year, but the $70 difference in having one or not is a half tank of diesel...

[fireweed]

My attitude is follow the law, but work to change them for the better.  Don't just bitch to each other: for every discover Pass bought, send a letter or two to the offending agency, legislator.  It is patently unfair that hunters are subsidizing PARKS that do not allow hunting.  The new bill almost through the process 2373 broadens where the DP is needed to include all DNR lands!  Before it was Supposed to be jkust developed or designated recreation areas.  Is the DNR going to guarantee access to their timberland now?  What about the thousands upong thousands of acres of landlocked public land?  THey better be doing something for the hunters besides checking passes.  Talk about a back stab to the hunters.  And hhere's the WDFW sticking up for us.  We pay their bills and they threw us under the DNR-Goldberg bus. 

[bobcat]

Does this mean the signs are no longer required?

There's an area I occasionally hunt where the DNR gate is 1/2 mile or so into the DNR ownership. About another 1/2 mile past the gate, is a sign saying Discover pass is required. So I assume I'm ok by parking at the gate and walking in, although I am parked on DNR land, and not a county right of way.

But now, do I need the pass because I am parked on DNR land? Kinda sounds like it to me. If so, that's one spot I won't be hunting anymore.

[bigtex]

Is the DNR going to guarantee access to their timberland now?  What about the thousands upong thousands of acres of landlocked public land? 

Remember, DNR is not there to provide recreational access. DNR is there to bring in revenue to the state, mainly through timber/logging, but also through things such as agricultural leases and shellfish leases.

From a management standpoint landlocked DNR land is a-ok, because again their #1 goal is NOT access, but revenue. On the other hand, Parks and WDFW for the most part are there to provide recreational access, so landlocked land in their agency is not desired. This is very similar to BLM. They have quite a bit landlocked land, especially in NE WA. They have been doing land sales and swaps (some with DNR) so they could purchase lands that can provide recreational access.

[buckfvr]

ANd once again.....this is not the DNRs' idea.........it is crammed down their throats same as its cramed down ours.......by none other than the commissioner of public lands.....Peter Goldmark.  That right there is your turd in the punch bowl.   He needs to be voted out soon as.....you can send him your thoughts at  cpl@dnr.wa.gov  . He manages DNR by way of public election, and has the ire of many state employees.

Let him have both barrels.....

[billythekidrock]

Got this email today.

Subject: Legislative Report to Staff - The Discover Pass Bill Is approved by the Legislature

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

While the Legislature has not completed its work, and a Special Session is all but certain, I want to inform you of something likely to affect all of us at State Parks. The Discover Pass bill that we have been actively working on for months has passed the legislature. It now sits on the Governor’s desk for her signature.  She has 20 days in which to sign the bill, veto it, or partially veto it.  So the bill is not yet law. 

 

There were a few changes in the final bill from the Senate and House versions I had reported to you on Monday, so  I want you to know exactly what passed.  If the governor signs the bill with no partial veto, it will take effect immediately upon her signature, and contain the following provisions:

 

1.       2-vehicle transferability for $30 per year; one-vehicle use of the pass at a time. There would be spaces on the pass to write in two vehicle license numbers, and only those vehicles could use that pass.  But they could not bring two vehicles into the park at the same time with one pass. This would take place immediately and retroactively for all folks who have already purchased a pass.  No refunds for those who have already purchased two passes would be allowed.

2.       Flexibility on when the Discover Pass activation starts (will make gifting easier).  It will be up to the three agencies to agree on how to do activation for periods different from the sales date.  It will take time to come up with specific policies and procedures, so until further notice, the activation time is still the date of sale. (Note that there is currently some time  offset with DOL and other sales and that will continue.)

3.       Expansion to all of DNR's uplands which would be subject to the pass requirement.

4.       Broadening locations and methods of sale.

5.       Provides as an option that the agencies may choose to offer a $50 fully transferable pass that is called a “Family Discover Pass.”  The word “family” is a misnomer, in that the pass could be used by anyone, inside the same household or not. Again, it would only be for one vehicle at a time.  Implementation of this provision is also not immediate.  The three agencies need to come up with many policies and procedures, and agree to sales price, prior to implementation.

6.       Special Events could, at the discretion of the agency, be exempt from the Discover Pass, if they pay other fees to state parks.  (This is a complex implementation task for us, as we are balancing our public service and revenue objectives. The legislation gives us discretion, but our agency is still working the details.)

7.      Expands  the existing Opt-Out vehicle donation program to additional vehicles (like snowmobiles, mopeds, and ¾ ton pick-up trucks.)

8.      Contains an emergency clause to have it enforced immediately upon the governor’s signature.

 

Other elements that were part of earlier versions of the bill that did NOT get adopted include:

 

1.       Expanding Disabled Veteran’s free access to WDFW and DNR lands.

2.        Directing Hotel/Motel Tax receipts from State Parks lodging and camping to go back to State Parks.

3.        Creating a 3-year temporary $10 RV license surcharge.

4.       Wholesaling of the pass.

5.       Eliminating requirement to get a Discover Pass if visitor already has a Sno-Park day pass.  Thus, there is no change from the existing requirement for a Discover Pass on state recreation lands for those people holding a day Sno-Park permit.

 

It is also important to note that earlier this week, the legislature passed a bill that transfers Discover Pass citation fines to the joint agency Discover Pass account.  State Parks receives 84% of these revenues.  The fines have been going to counties for court administration.  The bill sits on the governor’s desk for signature.

 

Implementation of the above Discover Pass reform is a big task.  Our Operations staff will no doubt be working over the coming weeks and months with many of you to make the changes as smoothly as possible, if and when the governor signs the legislation.

 

State Parks budget reductions have not been part of the discussion this session.  There are a couple of budget items still in legislative consideration that could benefit State Parks.  So  I will be sure to get back to you soon after completion of the legislators’ work, or in about 2 weeks, whichever comes first.

 

Take care,

 

Daniel

[Knocker of rocks]

Remember, DNR is not there to provide recreational access. DNR is there to bring in revenue to the state, mainly through timber/logging, but also through things such as agricultural leases and shellfish leases.

Please define how DNR is to ensure a "rich quality of life" and what that entails.  DNR is certainly there to add to the recreational smorgasboard of Washington.

OUR MISSION
In partnership with citizens and governments, the Washington State DNR provides innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life.

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/AboutDNR/Mission/Pages/Home.aspx

Contrast with WDFW Mission statement:

Our Mission

To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/mission_goals.html

[Curly]

Does this mean the signs are no longer required?

There's an area I occasionally hunt where the DNR gate is 1/2 mile or so into the DNR ownership. About another 1/2 mile past the gate, is a sign saying Discover pass is required. So I assume I'm ok by parking at the gate and walking in, although I am parked on DNR land, and not a county right of way.

But now, do I need the pass because I am parked on DNR land? Kinda sounds like it to me. If so, that's one spot I won't be hunting anymore.

I would think that signs are not going to be required anymore; with all DNR lands now requiring a Discover Pass to access the land, why would signs be necessary?   They likely are not going to enforce needing a DP for those isolated DNR parcels, but you never know.......