Auto license renewal has Discover Pass option
OLYMPIA — Motorists now may buy the new $30 annual Discover Pass when renewing their vehicle tabs through the Washington Department of Licensing.
Renewal notices mailed this month for vehicles with a registration expiration date on or after Oct. 1 contain the Discover Pass option.
The Discover Pass was created by the Legislature this spring. It is an access pass needed for vehicles entering parks or recreation lands managed by tthe Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources.
Buyers of the pass through the Department of LIcensing process will receive their passes in the mail from the Department of Fish and Wildlife within 10 business days of purchase.
Transaction and dealer fees are not charged for the pass when bought directly from the Department of Licensing, saving $5.
The pass also can be purchased in person from nearly 600 vendors in Washington, by telephone at 866-320-9933 or online at https://fishhunt,dfw.wa.gov
The Discover Pass is projected to make $65 million in revenue during the 2011-13 budget cycle.
Pine Creek info station closed for season
Pine Creek Information Station at the upper end of Swift Reservoir on the North Fork of the Lewis River is closed for the season.
Talks by rangers at Ape Cave and Windy Ridge also have ended until next summer. Lead ranger Cory Wall will be out a couple of days per week on roads Nos. 90, 25 and 99 to speak with interested visitors as the weather allows.
Johnston Ridge Observatory on the north side of Mount St. Helens will close for the winter at 6 p.m. Oct. 30.
Pikeminnow reward program extended
Ten registration stations in the Columbia River northern pikeminnow reward program will remain open through Oct. 16.
Friday will be the final day the other stations are open.
The 10 remaining open an extra 16 days are Cathlamet Marina, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Willow Grove, 1 to 3 p.m.; Rainier, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Chinook Landing, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Port of Camas-Washougal, 1 to 5:30 p.m.; Cascade Locks, 2 to 5:30 p.m.; The Dalles, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Giles French Park, 9 to 11 a.m.; Columbia Point, 3 to 6:30 p.m., and Vernita, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Through Sunday, there had been 23,102 angler trips in the program with a catch of 142,782 northern pikeminnows, a 6.2 average. The best of the stations staying open is Cascade Locks with an 8.5 average.
The program pays anglers a bounty for pikeminnow that are 9 inches or longer. Fishermen get $4 for the first 100 pikeminnow, $5 for fish numbers 101 through 400 and $8 per fish after 400.
Vancouver Wildlife League meets on Wednesday
The Vancouver Wildlife League will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the state Department of Wildlife office, 2108 Grand Blvd.
Keith Hyde of the new local chapter of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders will discuss how the two groups can partner to promote outdoor recreation.
The public is welcome.
