Did you know that Washington citizens own about 800,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat and about 625 water access sites? These lands provide wildlife protection throughout the state while affording unique wildlife viewing, hiking, water sports, hunting, fishing, and other compatible recreation. Managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, a Vehicle Use Permit is all that is needed to use these recreation sites. New income from Vehicle Use Permits sales is dedicated to keeping these areas clean, repaired, and safe.

The Problem: What would you do with 22 dump truck loads of household garbage? That is one of the challenges faced each year by the single employee who maintains access sites in just one of Washington's six Fish and Wildlife regions. And the problem is getting worse. The Department's access sites are also becoming targets for illegal dumping. In the summer of 1998, freezers, couches, tires, roofing, boats, mattresses, brush, and lawn waste added to the pile of garbage in this same region. In addition, growing vandalism of toilets, signs, and other facilities means the people and budgets available to do normal maintenance, like pumping toilets, cutting brush, etc., is stretched too thin. Current funding remains at 1980 levels and now covers only 34 percent of the needed maintenance.

Even though Washington is the smallest of the eleven western states, it is second highest in population. This translates into a lot of recreationists impacting available sites. At risk is quality recreation access. After providing for the needs of fish and wildlife, many kinds of outdoor recreation are available: fishing, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, hunting, wind surfing, bird watching, nature study and much more.

What will happen to the money?

Each dollar from Vehicle Use Permit sales is earmarked to keep access sites in good shape for enjoyable recreation.

What are the specifics?

Vehicle Use Permit cost is $10.95 for the year. A single Vehicle Use Permit is good at all sites. Youth groups need to have only one vehicle in their party with a Vehicle Use Permit when using a site. Hunters and fishers get a Vehicle Use Permit without additional cost, as part of their license purchase. Additional Vehicle Use Permits for your other vehicles cost $5.48 each. Prominent signs will be placed at sites where a Vehicle Use Permit is required. Each vehicle parked at a signed access site will need a Vehicle Use Permit (except youth groups).

How do I buy a decal?

Vehicle Use Permits can be bought wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. It is as easy as going to your local sporting goods store. They are also available over the telephone (1-866-246-9453), or on the Internet (fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov). Permits are no longer sold at WDFW offices.

More information:

Contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at:

Spokane	(509) 892-1001		Vancouver	(360) 696-6211
Ephrata	(509) 754-4624		Montesano	(360) 249-4628
Yakima	(509) 575-2740		Olympia	(360) 902-2367
Mill Creek	(425) 775-1311