OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

For Immediate Release Interior: Peter Hamm (202)208-7975

January 2, 1996 Agriculture: Lyle Laverty (202)205-0900

COST OF GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT TO INCREASE IMMEDIATELY

The Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced today that the price of the Golden Eagle Passport will rise to $50 effective immediately. The present cost is $25. Golden Eagle Passports are primarily issued by the National Park Service, but are also sold and can be used for entrance to other Agriculture and Interior public land sites.

The Golden Eagle Passport cost increase is part of a Congressionally authorized three-year fee demonstration project. The fee demonstration authority gives the Federal land management agencies the authority to increase and retain entrance fees. Golden Eagle Passport fees currently collected are deposited into the Treasury and are distributed by the Congress through the appropriations process. Including the Golden Eagle Passport in the fee demonstration allows participating projects to keep up to 80 percent of the new fee at the project level. Revenues derived will address dire needs--the National Park Service, for example, faces an estimated $4.5 billion backlog, and the Forest Service an estimated $1 billion backlog, in repair and maintenance projects. The funds will also be used to enhance educational and resource protection programs and visitor services.

The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to federal lands including national parks, refuges, recreation areas, historic sites, and monuments that charge entrance fees. These areas are managed by the Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has no entrance fees on lands under its management. The Golden Eagle admits the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Where entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the pass holder, spouse, children, and parents. The Passport is valid for a 12-month period starting with the date of purchase and ending the last day of the purchase month one year later. Golden Eagle Passports purchased prior to January 1, 1997, will be fully honored through their expiration date.

The one-time $10.00 fee for the lifetime Golden Age Passport, available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older will remain the same. The Golden Access Passport, for those who are blind or permanently disabled, will continue to be offered at no charge.

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