Threatened access to Mount Si could be preserved under a new plan for a fee-based pass that is gaining headway in the state legislature.
The Washington State Senate passed a bill Wednesday approving the new Discover Pass, intended to fund recreation programs for Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Supporters say the pass would provide critical funding to keep important places like Mount Si, Wallace Falls near Gold Bar or Deception Pass park open to the public.
“These state lands are all vital places for Washington’s hikers and families to recreate in their great outdoors,” stated Jonathan Guzzo, Advocacy Director for the Washington Trails Association.
“We heard from more than 2,000 hikers who signed a petition supporting a reasonable and easily enforceable fee solution. That is what the Senate bill (SB 5622) provides,” Guzzo said.
Guzzo’s association urged hikers to call their representatives and tell them to support SB 5622 without amendments.
“The future of all of our favorite hikes on state lands depends on passage of a clean and uncompromised bill,” he said.
Discover Pass details
Under the plan, the annual pass would cost $30, or $10 for a day pass, per vehicle, and would go into effect July 1. Discover Passes can be purchases through WDFW’s automated system, through the State Parks reservation system, or when you renew your motor vehicle license tabs. It is not known at this time whether people will be able to purchase the passes at the trailhead, parks or nearby vendors.
Not having a pass would be considered a wildlife infraction, which carries a $99 fine. If you purchase a pass within 10 days of receiving a citation, the fine would be lowered to $59. If you volunteer 24 hours on any combination of State Parks, DNR or Fish and Wildlife lands, you would be able to receive a free annual pass.
DNR would receive 8 percent of the revenue, WDFW another 8 percent, and the balance—84 percent—would go to State Parks. The legislature projects that pass revenues will total around $65 million per biennium.
