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.
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