News Release                                 
USDA Forest Service                    
Pacific Northwest Region               

Contacts:  Rex Holloway, 503-808-2241
                Laurie Thorpe, 503-803-7942
                Jocelyn Biro, 503-808-2241

Golden Eagle Passports to be honored at most Forest Service recreation fee
                      sites in the Pacific Northwest

PORTLAND, April 16, 2003 --As part of a move to simplify recreation fees
across the nation, the Pacific Northwest Region will begin honoring the
Golden Eagle Passport at most Forest Service recreation fee sites in Oregon
and Washington, starting April 18, 2003.  Visitors can now use one
pass--the Golden Eagle Passport--for most day-use recreation sites
nationwide operated by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of
Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"We've heard that the public wants ease and consistency when it comes to
using recreation areas," said Linda Goodman, Pacific Northwest Regional
Forester.  "By widely accepting the Golden Eagle Passport, the Forest
Service is offering visitors a new option for conveniently visiting all
federally managed recreation sites."

Visitors who frequent public lands where recreation passes are required may
save time and money by using an annual Golden Eagle Passport, which sells
for $65.  For example, in southwest Washington a visitor can now use a
Golden Eagle Passport for entrance to Mt. Rainier, Olympic and North
Cascades national parks along with the Coldwater Ridge and Johnston Ridge
visitor centers at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. It may also
be used at National Forest locations currently covered by the Northwest
Forest Pass, including developed day-use sites, picnic areas, trailheads
and parking.

Prior to this change, visitors would have spent $30 for an annual Northwest
Forest Pass in addition to the $50 National Parks Pass.  Now only one pass
is required, for a savings of $15. Local passes, such as the Northwest
Forest Pass, will continue to be sold and honored alongside the Golden
Eagle Passport.

The funds from both the Golden Eagle Passport and the Northwest Forest Pass
are used to provide the facilities and services requested by the public.
Eighty percent of the sales are retained at the national forest where they
are purchased with the remainder used for other high priority recreation
projects across the country.

The Golden Age and Golden Access Passports provide similar benefits to
cardholders.
The Golden Age Passport is a ten-dollar lifetime national pass available to
citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are at least 62
years of age.  In addition to the benefits provided by the Golden Eagle
Passport, the Golden Age Passport provides a 50% discount at campgrounds,
developed boat launches and swimming sites, and for specialized
interpretive services. The Golden Access Passport is a free lifetime
national pass available to citizens or permanent residents of the United
States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently
disabled. The Golden Access Passport provides the same benefits as the
Golden Age Passport.

"The Golden Passports provide a simple, easy way to enjoy public lands and
support conservation projects, trail maintenance, recreation facility
repair and visitor information. It is a great way for the public to
directly support America's Great Outdoors," added Goodman.

Golden Passports are available at most Forest Service offices.  For more
information, call your local Forest Service office, or visit the Internet
at http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/passes-intro.shtml.  Beginning April
18, Golden Eagle Passports will be available on the Internet at
http://www.natlforests.org , or by calling toll free at 877-465-2727.





                            Tom Knappenberger
                          Public Affairs Officer
                      Gifford Pinchot National Forest
                               360.891.5005