Oil Spill
BP near settlement with US over Gulf spill
By ROBERT BARR — Associated Press
LONDON — British oil company BP said Thursday it is in advanced talks with
U.S. agencies about settling criminal and other claims from the Gulf of
Mexico well blowout two years ago.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/11/15/4304963/bp-says-settlement-near-on-us.html
BP: Near a Deal With U.S. on Oil Spill
Wall Street Journal
By TOM FOWLER
BP BP.LN -0.49% PLC said Thursday it is in advanced discussions with the
U.S. Department of Justice on a deal that would resolve all criminal
charges and claims by the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with 2010's deadly Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578120140555122104.html
BP nearing criminal settlement with DOJ over 2010 Gulf spill
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 11/15/12 06:37 AM ET
BP said Thursday that it's in "advanced discussions" with the Obama
administration to settle criminal claims over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico
blowout that claimed 11 lives and spilled several million barrels of oil.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/268123-bp-nearing-criminal-settlement-over-2010-gulf-spill
BP nears Deepwater Horizon deal with U.S.
CNN
HONG KONG (CNNMoney) -- BP said Thursday it was close to striking a deal
with the U.S. government that would resolve criminal claims resulting from
the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/15/news/bp-oil-spill-settlement/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
New oil sheen prompts another investigation of BP Deepwater Horizon
disaster scene
Times Picayune
An overflight inspection of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster site 40 miles
south of Grand Isle this past weekend found a new, mile-long oil sheen,
which has prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to again require BP to inspect the
wellhead and debris area on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico with a remotely
operated vehicle for the source of the oil.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/11/new_oil_sheen_prompts_another.html#
Local groups score BP dollars
Daily Comet
By Nikki Buskey
Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:33 p.m.
Four local entities will get at least a combined $1 million from $43.7
million in BP oil spill settlement money aimed at promoting Gulf Coast
tourism and seafood.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20121114/ARTICLES/121119811
Restore Act would create jobs
Houma Today
By Nikki Buskey
Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 12:24 p.m.
With billions of dollars in oil spill fines set to pay for restoration
projects in the coming decade, local environmental and industry officials
say the money could have a big impact on south Louisiana's economy.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20121113/ARTICLES/121119880/
Judge asked to extend deadline in BP oil spill damage settlement to Dec. 15
AP
NEW ORLEANS -- BP and a team of plaintiffs' attorneys are urging a federal
judge to extend a deadline for businesses and individuals to revoke their
requests to opt out of a proposed class-action settlement of economic
damage claims spawned by the Gulf oil spill.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/11/judge_asked_to_extend_deadline.html#incart_river
State News
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|DEQ says Canton did expand into county in '04 |
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|Madison County Journal |
|By MICHAEL SIMMONS |
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|The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has confirmed that the|
|2004 expansion of the Canton landfill was in violation of state laws. |
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http://onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25791
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|DEQ denies S. Madison landfill again |
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|Madison County Journal |
|By MICHAEL SIMMONS |
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|A proposal to create a second landfill in southwestern Madison County hit |
|another hurdle Tuesday when the Mississippi Department of Environmental |
|Quality denied an appeal by the Board of Supervisors to reduce setbacks |
|from 500 feet to 250 feet. |
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http://onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25790
Section of Gulfport beach closed
The Associated Press
GULFPORT, MISS. — The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has
issued a precautionary beach closure for a section of beach in Gulfport.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/11/15/4305277/section-of-gulfport-beach-closed.html
Curbside recycling producing good results
By CALEB BEDILLION
DAILY LEADER
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 3:00 pm
A newly launched curbside recycling program in Brookhaven has already shown
an increase in participation over the city's prior recycling system.
http://www.dailyleader.com/topstories/article_dac5961a-2e7e-11e2-a32d-001a4bcf887a.html
$210,000 from DMR buys Walker's son's land
Sun Herald
By KAREN NELSON — klnelson@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- Bill Walker, the head of the state Department of Marine
Resources, signed off on using public money under his control to buy a
vacant lot in Gulf Hills that belonged to his son.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/11/10/4296387/210000-from-dmr-buys-walkers-sons.html#storylink=misearch
Bryant calls for tight spending
Education initiatives, $3M for preschool program included in governor's
proposal
Clarion Ledger
Gov. Phil Bryant wants lawmakers next year to keep funding level for
schools and colleges, spend a little more for some of his education
initiatives and on prisons, cut most other state agencies by about 1.5
percent and sock away money in the "rainy day fund."
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20121115/NEWS/311150035/Bryant-calls-tight-spending
National News
Global warming talk heats up as carbon tax revisited
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Climate change is suddenly a hot topic again. The issue
is resurfacing in talks about a once radical idea: a possible carbon tax.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2012/11/14/global-warming-climate-change-carbon-tax/1704787/
The new boom: Shale gas fueling an American industrial revival
Washington Post
By Steven Mufson, Published: November 14
The shale gas revolution is firing up an old-fashioned American industrial
revival, breathing life into businesses such as petrochemicals and glass,
steel and toys.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-new-boom-shale-gas-fueling-an-american-industrial-revival/2012/11/14/73e5bb8e-fcf9-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_print.html
Opinion
Schools go for the green in contest
Rankin Ledger
By Jeannine May
It's not always fun to talk about trash, but it doesn't mean it's not
important. Americans generate about 250 million tons of garbage each year,
and since 1960, the amount of trash we generate as a nation has tripled.
http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121113/NEWS/311130001/-1/NEWS01/Schools
+go+for+the+green+in+contest
Press Releases
BRYANT RELEASES BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR COMING FISCAL YEAR
Provides Tax Relief to Small Businesses, Prioritizes Spending, Bolsters
Savings, No Tax or Fee Increases
JACKSON – Presenting his second Executive Budget Recommendation as
governor, Phil Bryant provided a balanced budget plan for the state that
also provides tax relief to more than 1,700 small businesses throughout
Mississippi.
Bryant's budget calls for changes to the way Mississippi collects taxes
from some small businesses. Under a 2002 law, certain small businesses are
required to pre-pay a portion of their tax liability at the close of the
state fiscal year each June, allowing Mississippi to count tax revenues
that actually belong to the new fiscal year that begins each July.
"Small businesses are our number-one job creators, and this tax practice
hurts them by basically requiring them to pay extra taxes each June," Gov.
Bryant said. "In 2007, the Legislature realized this practice hampered
business in the state, and a measure was passed—but repeatedly suspended—to
exempt businesses with smaller tax liabilities from the pre-payment
requirement. This year, we have identified a special fund surplus that will
allow us to return to the 2007 exemption standards, providing tax relief to
67 percent of Mississippi businesses."
Bryant's budget maintains his commitment to spending only 98 percent of
available revenues and builds the state's reserves to protect against the
potential effects of a struggling national economy.
"We are continuing to save and budget conservatively, finding more
efficiencies and relying on less one-time money to fund recurring
expenses," Gov. Bryant said. "We are also funding Mississippi's highest
priorities-- investing in our children by improving our education outcomes,
protecting public safety, continuing our economic development efforts and
ensuring the basic function of critical government systems."
Bryant's Fiscal Year 2014 budget utilizes a total of $5.8 billion in
revenue and reserves nearly $100 million of Mississippi's revenue as
savings for fiscal year 2015.
"I thank the Legislature for heeding my call to return to saving two
percent of our revenues, and my budget continues this commitment," Gov.
Bryant said. "As a result of our discipline, Mississippi had about $96
million to start the fiscal year we are currently in. In previous years
when the savings law was not obeyed, we often started with nothing."
Economic forecasts for Mississippi indicate slow growth, and Bryant's
budget reduces appropriations to most state agencies by 1.5 percent. The
governor prioritized state spending, concentrating resources in public
safety and economic development and directing new funds to education
improvement.
Education:
· Level funding for MAEP using $2.03 billion in state funds.
· Full funding for National Board Certified Teacher program.
· Level funding for Teach for America and Mississippi Teachers
Corps.
· More than $24 million in new education funding to address
improvement priorities, including:
o $2 million to fund a pilot program to develop innovative
performance-based compensation models for educators. Four
districts in the state are participating.
o Improve Mississippi's literacy outcomes through $15 million in
funding for ongoing, research-based training for classroom
teachers, as well as providing reading interventionists
throughout the state.
o $1 million each for two new scholarship programs for
high-achieving students who agree to teach five years in a
Mississippi public school.
o $250,000 to help students enrolled in high school technical
programs earn national certifications and accreditations that
will help prove their qualifications in the job market.
o $1 million for dropout intervention efforts conducted by Jobs
for Mississippi graduates.
o $3 million for Mississippi Building Blocks continuing pilot
program.
o $1.8 million for the State Longitudinal Data System, also
known as Lifetracks, to gather and analyze education metrics.
Community Colleges and IHL:
· Fully funds Student Financial Aid.
· My budget reflects a commitment to these valuable institutions
and the services they provide by increasing funding to the IHL and
Community and Junior College general support budgets by $9.1 million.
· Level funding for IHL agricultural units.
Public Safety:
· Exempts most public safety agencies from budget cuts.
· Provides $8.5 million increase to Mississippi Highway Patrol
to fund a trooper school, compensate on-the-road troopers who have
advanced their career ladders, and replace and equip aging vehicles.
· Provides funds to replace commodities used by the Mississippi
Emergency Management Agency in response to Hurricane Isaac.
· Meets construction and maintenance needs of the Mississippi
Wireless Integrated Network (MSWIN).
· Provides a fiscal year 2014 increase to the Department of
Corrections, as well as funds to meet remaining needs in the current
fiscal year.
Health Care:
· Provides appropriation to University of Mississippi Medical
Center equal to its fiscal year 2013 appropriation, which includes
$3.2 million for the Rural Physician Scholarship Program.
Division of Medicaid:
· Recommends Medicaid receive $878.4 million to fund needs in
fiscal year 2014 as well as remaining needs in the current fiscal
year.
· If the federal government continues to create uncertainty in
the business climate or the global economy deteriorates, Medicaid's
actual needs may be $921 million or more.
Additional Priorities:
• Reserves half of the balance in the Capital Expense Fund so the
Department of Finance and Administration can utilize this fund for
its proper purpose of conducting maintenance and repairs on state
buildings.
• Uses one-time dollars in an idle fund to meet one-time needs for
upgrades to the state's accounting system and to county-based tax
collection and vehicle titling systems.
• Calls for the adoption of performance based budgeting and
provides $250,000 to implement a performance audit pilot program.
• As chairman of state bond commission, Gov. Bryant will not
approve issuance of more debt in any given year than is retired.
"Budgets, ultimately, reflect priorities, and this budget represents how I
believe we can best use our resources to continue moving this state
forward," Gov. Bryant said. "By opening the doors to opportunity through an
improved public education system, safeguarding our communities, and
encouraging investment in sectors most likely to bring lasting economic
growth, Mississippians will rise together, in the coming fiscal year and
beyond."
Bryant's Executive Budget Recommendation is available for download at
http://www.governorbryant.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Governor-Phil-Bryant-FY-14-Executive-Budget-Recommendation.pdf
.
###
EPA Fines 16 Firms for Violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and
Painting Rule
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
16 enforcement actions for violations of the lead-based paint Renovation,
Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). A priority for EPA's enforcement program is
to protect children, and others, from exposure to lead dust that can cause
lead poisoning by ensuring that renovators follow the RRP and other lead
rules. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects, from
behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death,
putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems
are still developing.
"At least 4 million households with children have lead paint, and over a
half million children have elevated levels of lead in their blood. But lead
exposure is preventable when you know what to look for and what to do,"
said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance. "These settlements serve as an important reminder
of the importance of using lead-safe practices to protect the health of our
children and prevent lead poisoning."
The RRP rule requires that contractors that work on pre-1978 dwellings and
child-occupied facilities be trained and certified to use lead-safe work
practices. This ensures that common renovation and repair activities like
sanding, cutting and replacing windows are done in ways that minimize
dangerous lead dust. EPA finalized the RRP rule in 2008 and the rule took
effect on April 22, 2010.
The enforcement actions listed below address many serious RRP Rule
violations that could result in harm to human health. These actions include
cases where the respondent failed to follow lead-safe work practices.
Lead-safe work practices are critical to reducing exposure to lead-based
paint hazards and, thereby, avoiding potential lead poisoning. In at least
five actions, children lived at the property; thus, the respondent directly
put children at risk of exposure to lead-based paint hazards. Also, in
several cases, respondents failed to obtain firm certification prior to
performing or offering to perform renovation activities on pre-1978 homes.
The RRP Rule's certification requirements ensure that firms and renovators
know the RRP Rule, and how to employ lead-safe work practices. Other
alleged violations include the respondent's failure to provide EPA's
"Renovate Right" pamphlet to homeowners and occupants. The pamphlet is an
important mechanism for helping homeowners and tenants understand the risks
of lead-based paint hazards, and how best to minimize these risks to
protect themselves and their families.
The 16 enforcement actions include 13 administrative settlements and 3
filed administrative complaints. The settlements advance EPA's mission to
protect human health because, under each settlement, the respondent was
required to certify that it has come into compliance with the RRP Rule –
and compliance results in greater protection for children and others in the
future. EPA also assessed civil penalties. When formulating penalties, EPA
must evaluate an entity's ability to pay a penalty and to remain in
business. Accordingly, the Agency assessed a total of $53,792 in civil
penalties. In the 3 administrative complaints that EPA has filed, the
Agency seeks civil penalties up to the statutory maximum of $37,500 per
violation.
Settlements:
- Alliance Contracting & Design, LLC of Bay City, Mich.
- Dasa Properties LLC of Buffalo, N. Y.
- DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding, Inc. of Beacon Falls, Conn.
- Exterior Images of Derry, N.H.
- Hometown Painting, Inc. of Warrenville, Ill.
- Kindred Painting, LLC of Dover, N.H.
- Leanza Painting Contractors, Inc. of Morristown, N. J.
- Mac Stringer Painting and Staining of Ontario, N. Y.
- Scheffler Painting, LLC of Trenton, Mich.
- Spartan Painting, Inc. of Haslett, Mich.
- Sunshine Home Improvement, LLC of Lenexa, Kan.
- Universal Remodeling & Building, LLC of Stratford, Conn.
- Wildwood Apartments, LLC of Jackson, Mich.
Complaints:
- Collegiate Entrepreneurs, Inc. of Braintree, Mass.
- PZ Painting of Springfield, N.J.
- Kachina Contractor Solutions of Elkins Park, Penn.
More information about these settlements:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/tsca/lrrprule.html
To learn more about how to avoid exposure to lead paint hazards:
http://www.epa.gov/lead/
More information on EPA's RRP rule:
http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
EPA Awards More Than $5.3 Million for Research Fellowships
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced
more than $5.3 million in research fellowships to 127 students pursuing
degrees in environmental studies. The 39 Greater Research Opportunities
(GRO) fellows and the 87 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) fellows
exemplify the agency's efforts to improve Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) education. These fellowships encourage leadership in
the nation's environmental science, research, restoration, pollution
prevention and sustainability efforts.
2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the GRO Fellowship program, which is
part of the national effort to ensure that the United States continues to
graduate students ready to meet environmental science, engineering, and
policy challenges. By enhancing and supporting quality environmental
education for undergraduate students, the GRO fellowship program encourages
promising students to pursue careers in environmental fields and to
continue their education beyond the baccalaureate level. Supporting
graduate environmental study for masters and doctoral students, the STAR
fellowship program provides a steady stream of well-trained environmental
specialists that are meeting society's environmental challenges by
performing new environmental research in engineering and in the physical,
biological, health, and social sciences.
"These fellowship awards enable undergraduate and graduate students all
over the country to pursue research and education opportunities that would
otherwise be beyond their means" said Dr. Jim Johnson, director of EPA's
National Center for Environmental Research. "Many of the fellowship
opportunities springboard aspiring scientists and engineers into careers in
environmental protection."
EPA is proud of the many research accomplishments of the alumni of the GRO
and STAR fellowship programs. "My research into low-cost solar cells was
made possible by this fellowship," said Dr. Cyrus Wadia, a 2002 STAR fellow
and currently assistant director for the White House's Clean Energy &
Materials. These programs have helped thousands of students achieve higher
education and conduct cutting edge environmental research.
Applications for the fiscal 2013 GRO Program are currently open and
applicants have until December 5, 2012 to apply and the STAR fellowships
are currently open and applicants have until November 27, 2012 to apply.
More information on the GRO program and STAR fellowships:
http://epa.gov/ncer/fellow/
Vehicle And Engine Importers To Pay Civil Penalty To Resolve Clean Air Act
Violations
Senior company executives jointly liable for consent decree obligations
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Department of Justice announced a settlement with two former importers of
highway motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and small spark ignition
engines. The defendants, Yuan Cheng International Group, Inc. (YCIG) and
NST, Inc. (NST), located in Montclair, Calif., allegedly imported and sold
vehicles and engines from China in violation of Clean Air Act requirements.
The settlement resolves allegations that, between 2006 and 2011, the
companies imported and introduced into commerce 17,521 recreational
vehicles, highway motorcycles, and nonroad spark ignition engines without
proper EPA certifications required under the Clean Air Act to prevent
excess emissions of pollutants. Vehicles and engines that are not certified
may be operating without proper emissions controls and can emit excess
carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and cause respiratory illnesses,
aggravate asthma and contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or
smog. The settlement also resolves claims for failure to adequately respond
to EPA's requests for information and labeling violations under the Clean
Air Act.
The settlement requires the companies and Mr. John Cheng and Ms. Jenny Yu,
senior company executives, to pay a combined civil penalty of $50,000. This
amount is based on the United States' determination that the parties have a
limited ability to pay a civil penalty in this matter. Both companies have
ceased importing vehicles and engines and are now dissolved. In the fall of
2010, NST agreed to pay $250,000 to the State of California to resolve
similar violations concerning the illegal sale of uncertified vehicles.
"When companies or their executives fail to comply with U.S. standards when
importing vehicles and engines into the United States, it affects the
nation's air quality, impacts consumers and puts businesses that play by
the rules at a disadvantage," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator
for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Today's
settlement demonstrates EPA's commitment to ensuring that imports comply
with requirements that protect our nation's air quality, while leveling the
playing field for businesses that comply with the law."
"We will continue to vigorously enforce the law to ensure that imported
vehicles and engines comply with U.S. laws so that American consumers get
environmentally sound products and violators do not gain an unfair economic
advantage," said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the
Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.
"By holding individuals personally accountable under the consent decree,
this settlement shows not only that we will pursue companies who violate
the law, but where appropriate, will take additional measures to ensure
that individual executives who act on behalf of companies cannot repeat the
same conduct under a new corporate identity."
In addition, Mr. Cheng and Ms. Yu must enter into a compliance plan with
EPA prior to any future importation, distribution, selling, or offering for
sale of any products covered by the Clean Air Act. They must also provide
EPA with notice prior to forming any U.S. business entity that engages in
the importation, distribution, selling or offering for sale of any products
covered by the Clean Air Act, or before individually engaging in such
activities. Mr. Cheng and Ms. Yu may be liable for any additional penalties
for any violations of the settlement agreement, including $25,000 per
vehicle or engine imported, sold or distributed that is not in accordance
with an EPA-approved compliance plan, and up to $5,000 per day for each
failure to provide notice to EPA as mentioned above.
John Cheng (also known as Yuan Cheng) was the sole shareholder, director,
president, secretary, chief financial officer, and treasurer of the YCIG.
NST was the corporate successor to YCIG after YCIG dissolved. Mr. Cheng's
wife, Ms. Jenny Yu, was the president, secretary, chief financial officer,
one of two directors, and a 50 percent shareholder of NST. Mr. Cheng was
the other 50 percent shareholder of NST. Both Mr. Cheng and Ms. Yu are
individually bound by the terms of the settlement and are personally
jointly and severally liable for the liabilities and obligations arising
from the consent decree.
The Clean Air Act prohibits any vehicle or engine from being imported and
sold in the United States unless it is covered by a valid, EPA-issued
certificate of conformity indicating that the vehicle or engine meets
applicable federal emission standards. The certificate of conformity is the
primary way EPA ensures that imported vehicles and engines meet emission
standards. This settlement is part of an ongoing effort by EPA to ensure
that all imported vehicles and engines comply with the Clean Air Act's
requirements.
More information about EPA enforcement of mobile sources:
http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/index.html#mobile
AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar Announces Fee Free Days at National
Parks, Other Public Lands for 2013
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar this week announced
dates in 2013 ranging from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to Veterans Day
when more than 2,000 national parks, national forests, national wildlife
refuges, and other federal lands will offer free admittance to everyone.
"Our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and other
public lands offer every American a place to enjoy outdoor recreation,
learn about our nation's history and culture, and restore our souls and
spirits by connecting with the natural beauty and wildness of our land,"
Salazar said. "By providing free admission, we are putting out an
invitation to all Americans to visit and enjoy these extraordinary
treasures that belong to all our people."
The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will waive their
entrance fees and the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service,
and the Bureau of Reclamation will waive their standard amenity fees on
September 28 for National Public Lands Day and from November 9 to 11 for
Veterans Day weekend.
The National Park Service will also waive entrance fees on January 21 for
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, from April 22 to 26 during National Park
Week, and on August 25 to celebrate the agency's 97th birthday.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will also waive entrance fees on January
21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and on October 13 for National
Wildlife Refuge Day.
The Bureau of Land Management will also waive standard amenity fees on
January 21 for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The U.S. Forest Service will also waive standard amenity fees on January 21
for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and on June 8 for Get Outdoors Day.
"National parks and other public lands are becoming increasingly important
for both our mental and physical health," said National Park Service
Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "In our fast-paced world, they provide places
for good, old-fashioned social networking with others – places where we can
relax and unwind, where we can experience new and different things, and
where we can easily share thoughts and communal activities."
Tourism and outdoor recreation are also powerful economic engines in
communities across the country. Recreation on federal lands in 2009
provided 440,000 jobs and contributed $55 billion to the economy.
The fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for things such
as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
Active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free
annual pass that provides entrance to lands managed by the National Park
Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of
Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The America the Beautiful
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program also offers a
free lifetime pass for people with disabilities, a $10 lifetime senior pass
for those age 62 and over, and a $80 annual pass for the general public.
America's great outdoors should be experienced by everyone," said Salazar.
"Our fantastic network of public lands provides world class recreational
opportunities, the chance to view abundant wildlife in natural habitats,
sites that showcase our nation's rich and diverse history, and some of the
most incredible scenery found anyway. The fee free days will give both
first time and repeat visitors a good reason to spend time in these
extraordinary places."
