Changes Coming to Golden Passport Program

MOUNTAIN HOME, AR February 13, 2007 – For years the Army Corps of Engineers has participated in the Golden Passport Program, which offered a 50 percent discount on recreation fees to those age 62 and older and those with a permanent disability. However, the passage of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 created a new discount program called the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Program, and this new program was implemented January 1, 2007.

The Golden Passport Program has been discontinued, although all Golden Age and Golden Access Passports issued before January 1st remain valid for the lifetime of the card holder or until the card is lost, stolen or becomes defaced.

The legislation establishing the America the Beautiful program included the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation, but it did not include the Corps of Engineers. Therefore, the Corps cannot sell or issue passes for this program until authorized in future legislation, only those other agencies included in the legislation can.

Nonetheless, though we cannot issue the new passes, the Corps will honor two of the four America the Beautiful passes at our recreation areas and continue to give a 50 percent reduction in day use and camping fees to pass holders.

The Corps will accept the America the Beautiful: Senior Pass for citizens and permanent residents age 62 and over, and Access Pass for citizens or permanent residents with an established permanent medical disability.

Current Golden Age or Golden Access cardholders who lose, misplace or deface their cards will need to obtain an America the Beautiful Senior or Access Pass from an authorized federal agency to continue to receive discounts at Corps facilities. Also, paper Golden Age and Golden Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for the new plastic America the Beautiful passes.

The new passes may be obtained in person at USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. Additional information about the recreation pass program is available on the Internet at http://www.recreation.gov/recpass.jsp or http://store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html or by calling 1-888-275-8747.

In the twin lakes area, Senior and Access passes can be purchased in person at USDA Forest Service offices in Ava, Missouri at 417- 683-4428, and Blanchard Springs, Arkansas at 888-757-2246, as well as the National Park Service’s Buffalo Point Ranger Station in Yellville, Arkansas at 870-449-4311. For additional information, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Mountain Home Project Office by calling 870-425-2700.