Starting Friday, July 1, the Discover Pass is required for vehicle- and water-access to all state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the state Department of Natural Resources.

Think of the pass as a parking permit.

Employees from all three agencies will spend the Fourth of July weekend reminding people they need the pass for their vehicles, according to Virginia Painter, spokeswoman for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

At least 8,745 annual passes and 30 one-day passes had been sold as of noon Thursday, June 30.

Painter said an additional $550,000 came from dealers outside of the Fish and Wildlife system, who bought them to resell to customers.

The total revenue from all sources so far is $813,000, according to Painter.

Where can I buy one?

- At nearly 600 stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses. Of those, about 19 businesses in Whatcom County are selling the pass, including the two Fred Meyer stores, Walmart and Yeager's Sporting Goods - all in Bellingham; Acme General Store; Point Roberts Marina Resort, and the Ferndale Ace Hardware.

- Online or by phone through Fish and Wildlife's recreational licensing system. The online site is discoverpass.wa.gov, the toll-free line is 866-320-9933.

- At State Parks headquarters and region offices, and at state parks when workers are available.

- Beginning in fall 2011, when you renew your vehicle registration through the state Department of Licensing.

How much does it cost?

An annual pass costs $30 per vehicle, and a day pass is $10 per vehicle - not including dealer and transaction fees. Those fees, for example, bump up the cost of an annual Discover Pass to $35 and a one-day pass to $11.50.

Those fees have raised the ire of some, including Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, the prime sponsor for the bill that created the pass.

He said in a news release that the agencies' "intention to add transaction fees to the final price of a Discover Pass was not something that they made clear during the legislative session. It was not the intent of the Legislature for state agencies distributing the pass to pass on transaction fees to the consumer in an effort to defer their own costs.

"I plan to work closely with the agencies and my colleagues in the Legislature over the coming months to address this matter," Ranker added.

The fees cover the costs of things such as customer service, computer systems, printing and mailing, according to the state agencies.

Painter said the purchases are made through a Fish and Wildlife system that has been in place for 10 years.

In talking to the people who handle customer service, Painter said that the fees don't seem to be an issue for most people.

What if I don't want to pay the additional fees?

You can:

- Buy the pass in person from state parks and recreation sites that are offering them. This weekend, three State Parks offices will be open to sell the pass. The one closest to Whatcom County is at 220 N. Walnut St. in Burlington. It will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3.

Otherwise the Discover Pass can be purchased in person from the office during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at state parks when staff is available.

- Wait until fall, if that's when you renew your vehicle's tabs.

Can I transfer the pass from vehicle to vehicle?

No. You're required to include the license plate number of a vehicle on the pass, which must be displayed in your car's front windshield. Motorcyclists will take the pass with them.

Where would I need to have a Discover Pass?

State parks, wildlife areas, some campgrounds, trails, trailheads, natural and wildlife areas, boat launches and heritage sites - wherever you would need to park your vehicle on state recreation lands.

There are some exemptions, such as for holders of certain types of hunting and fishing licenses and people who pay to camp in a state park. Learn more online at discoverpass.wa.gov.

In Whatcom County, the Discover Pass is required at Larrabee, Peace Arch and Birch Bay state parks, for example.

Other places might be confusing because the Discover Pass website provides links to them.

For example, Pine and Cedar lakes are on Fish and Wildlife land. But the trailhead and the parking lot are Whatcom County Parks facilities, which means a Discover Pass isn't needed.

Nor is a Discover Pass required for Tennant Lake Interpretive Center, which includes the Fragrance Garden, or the adjacent Hovander Park. Both are Whatcom County facilities.

But a Discover Pass is required for access to Tennant Lake off Slater Road, because that is Fish and Wildlife land.

If you're not sure, call ahead.

What is the penalty for not having a Discover Pass?

A $99 fine. The penalty will be reduced to $59 if you provide proof of purchase of the pass within 15 days.

Do I need a Discover Pass if I'm walking, bicycling, boating, riding a horse or using some other form of alternative transportation to these sites?

No. The pass is for vehicles.

Where can I get more information about the Discover Pass?

- Go online to discoverpass.wa.gov.

- Call toll-free 866-320-9933.

- Send an email to Licensing@dfw.wa.gov.