Alone and our voice is small. — Together
we will be heard.” Barbara Bowen, NAM
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New ‘Interagency’ Pass Program
Provides Camping Discounts
on Federal Recreation Sites
The federal government has issued a new comprehensive interagency recreation pass, the “America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass”.
The new pass replaces the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and the Golden Access Passports as well as the National Parks Pass. Existing passes will remain valid until expired, lost or stolen.
The pass covers recreation opportunities on public lands managed by four Department of the Interior agencies – the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation, and by the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service. In addition, the Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass.
Access to most public lands remains free. This pass applies to those locations that currently have entrance or standard amenity fees.
The four different passes in the new program are:
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A new annual interagency pass costing $80 - For visitors to multiple federal sites, the pass offers unlimited coverage of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees for a specific period of time, typically a year, beginning from the date of first use.
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A $10 lifetime Senior Pass* for U.S. citizens 62 or over (obtained in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office); (See Below)
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A free lifetime access pass for citizens with permanent disabilities; and
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A new, free annual volunteer pass for volunteers acquiring 500 hours of service on a cumulative basis.
For more information, contact DOI’s U.S. Geological Survey http://store.usgs.gov/pass or phone 1-888-275-8747, Option 1. The annual pass is available for sale through the USGS store and through the government’s federal lands recreation web portal at www.recreation.gov.
About the ‘SENIOR PASS’
The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.
Check directly with the local recreation site about their discount policies.
‘The Senior Pass is not valid at State Parks or local city/county Recreation sites.’
[Next issue we will Include a list of “State
Park Passes”
compiled by our own Murna Lindsey.]
Lifetime Membership
Does NOT Equal Lifetime Dues
Some potential campground members are promised, at the time of sale, that they will never have to pay another ‘Initiation Fee’ if they will advance an additional few thousand dollars. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Lifetime Membership’.
No one is told that, as a member, they will be expected to pay annual fees “until they die” or convince someone else to do the same.
This is not a trivial oversight by the seller.
This is important information that is critical to the decision to purchase the membership and MUST be disclosed before the purchase.
Salesmen and the people who employ them, who engage in this practice could be guilty of fraud.
Efforts of sellers to coerce members to pay money every year “until they die” might be found guilty of fraud and/or extortion. If they engage in interstate commerce or use the telephone or US mail to carry out their threats may be guilty of a Federal crime and might face jail terms.
We are told that some courts have ruled that such an alleged commitment would be against public policy and not permitted. Victim of this scheme should fight back. We have posted some tips on this web site.
So You Want to Cancel Your ‘Lifetime Campground Membership’
Note that the “initiation Fee”, the initial cost of the membership, is usually refundable for the first few days. Most states require that the purchaser have a prescribed number of days to change their mind about a major purchase. This is normally between 3-5 days. After that time, the initiation fee must be paid in full even if the purchaser changes their mind. This is usually because the seller, by this time, has “hypothecated” the membership (sold it, at a discount, to a third party for collection).
Bill of Rights
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If Your Annual Dues/maintenance Fees
are Paid and Current:
Remember, if it isn’t in writing - it didn’t happen.
Send a letter, return receipt required, to the address that sends you bills. This letter should identify you and your membership number, etc., stating that they cancel your membership, the effective date and that you will not use their facilities or pay any future fees to the company.
If Your Annual Fees are Delinquent:
NO campground membership contracts we have reviewed stated that you must pay annual fees “until you die or sell the membership to someone who will”. All of these contracts, however, state that the campground can deny you access to their facilities or services if the annual fees are not current. This, in our opinion, limits their options to collect unpaid annual fees.
Be Fair to the Campground:
Sometimes dues payments are simply late. Your campground may feel a commitment to maintain the campground for your use for the balance of the first unpaid dues period. Conscientious campground owners may provide a “grace period” to their members. Be fair to these campground owners. Make your intentions clear - in writing.
Keep Careful Notes:
Make a “Memo for Record” of what you told them and when, what they said to you in writing or on the phone and when. Sign and date your notes.
These notes will be useful if they actually try to take you to court. (Rare, if it has ever really happened.)
Harassing telephone calls from agents of the campground can be disregarded. They aren’t being nice to you, just tell them to send it to you in writing then hang up on them.
Letters from alleged “Pre-litigation Officers” can be disregarded. Not officers of a court or attorneys.
Letters from an attorney or a clerk of courts must be taken seriously. Let us know if you get one and we will try to help you and ‘your’ attorney.