PUBLIC LANDS -- The new vehicle access pass approved by the Washington Legislature went on sale today, and 17 were purchased in the first hour, officals report -- although it appears it was mostly state officials doing the purchasing to make sure the web system worked.

The Discover Pass costs $30 per vehicle per year or $10 a day.

Starting in July, it will be required for vehicle access to nearly 7 million acres of Washington state-managed recreation lands – including campgrounds, parks, wildlife areas, trails, natural areas, wilderness areas and water access points.

I'll have a detailed story on this next week -- no sooner because the state is still working out the details. 

State Parks managers are meeting Thursday to work out some kinks -- such as whether the pass will be required for users of Mount Spokane State park's alpine ski area.

It's a work in progress, state parks officials told me today.  Information and purchasing options will evolve on the special website dedicated to the pass.

Meantime, the pass -- the sole source of income for Washington State Parks and a key income source for DNR and Fish and Wildlife lands -- can be purchased online through the Discover Pass website or anywhere hunting or fishing licenses are sold.