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AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Fee Free Days at National Parks, Other Public Lands for 2013

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today 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.

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.”

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CONSUMER REPORTS WARNS AGAINST RENTAL CAR GIMMICKS

What consumers can do to avoid gotcha pricing,
aggressive sales pitches and hidden fees

YONKERS, NY—As the weather heats up and fuel prices continuee to rise, the last thing travelers want is to have pay even more when they hit the road this summer. Rental car companies used to try harder to put the consumer in the driver seat with ease, but today's rental car companies are putting the gas on gotcha pricing, pushy pitches and costly extras.

In its June issue, available online at www.ConsumerReports.org and on newsstands May 10, 2011, Consumer Reports outlines some costly and common car-rental hassles and how consumers can fight back.

"It used to be that car-rental companies made it as easy as possible to get you signed up and on the road," said Consumer Reports senior editor Jeff Blyskal. "These days consumers need to slow things down and be more guarded to make sure they don't pay more than necessary."

Common Hassles

Consumers have a choice when it comes to pricey add-on services and liability coverage. Consumer Reports recommends watching out for these gotchas the next time a salesperson puts the pressure on.

1. There is a fee for every extra.Treat a rental car like a hotel mini bar: Don't take any goodies without knowing the price. This includes GPS navigation, satellite radio, and child safety seats. One Consumer Reports reader was charged $9.50 for $2 worth of tolls after he used an EZ-Pass toll payment transponder he found inside his Hertz rental.

Don't take it: Consumers faced with undisclosed surcharges should dispute them with their credit card company. Be sure to ask about these possible hidden fees: late or early return of the car, going through an unmanned, electronic-only toll gate, road service in case the driver runs out of gas or locks keys in the car, and administrative fees related to parking tickets and moving violations.

2. The insurance hard sell. Rental agents might strongly sell renters on a loss damage waiver that limits the renter's liability for damage for $60 to $250 a week.

Don't take it: Consumers may already be covered on their own auto insurance policy if it includes collision and/or comprehensive coverage. Some credit cards also provide protection. Just make sure the personal policy covers rentals and business travel and that it pays the "full value" of a loss, administrative fees, towing and "loss of use." Also check if it's valid abroad and covers a second driver or comprehensive claims (such as fire, theft and vandalism).

3. Scratch-and-dent claims. Always pay by credit card so any inaccurate charges can be disputed. One Consumer Reports reader was billed $304 for "damage" after he dropped off an Avis Rental in Lyon, France, at the locked return lot before business hours.

Don't take it: Fully inspect the car at pick up time, noting any damages in the paperwork and request a signed, dated copy. Do the same at drop off. If it's before or after business hours, take photos to document the car's condition.

4. Return the car with gas. If not, expect to pay as much as $8 per gallon to have the rental agency fill the tank. Other gas overpricing might not be so obvious. For example, Hertz's fuel purchase option—buy a full tank at the prevailing loccal per-gallon price—might seem like a good deal, but the renterr pays for a whole tank even if they only use a fraction of it.

Don't take it. Always fill it up before returning the car.

5. Decline the upgrade pitch.In good economic years, agencies had more cars than they could rent. Now inventories are tighter, so don't expect to be offered a roomier car at no extra cost. Worse, agents might try to convince the renter into taking a costlier car.

Don't take it. If the agent talks down a specific model, ask about other cars in the same group.

Consumer Reports also suggests looking for deals on websites like Travelocity and Expedia and then calling a specific location to negotiate the cheapest rate. Also check off-brand companies like Ace Rent a Car, Pay Less, and Midway. Groups like AAA, AARP, Costco, labor unions and other groups might offer discounts. For more tips on how to get the best deal on car rentals log on to www.ConsumerReports.org.

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Certified Instructors David Moody and Bill Daniels provide the professional training required by the State of New Mexico to legally carry a concealed weapon. Exercise your right to carry and attend this two day training seminar.

Carlsbad Taverns Brewery Bar-B-Que is located in the the heart of Carlsbad,NM, Main Street District, just thirty minutes from the World famous Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This restaurant and tasting room is also the home of our microbrewery where we bottle and keg all of our great fresh ales for off premise sales. Come by for some awesome bar-b-que, fresh beer and a tour of our brew house.

Carlsbad Taverns Brewery and Bar-B-Que opened in April of 2001 and was voted one of the best brewpubs in Carlsbad, NM in 2003. The Bar-B-Que offers some of the best bar-b-que in Southeastern NM. Our menu features hickory smoked pork ribs, 16-hour smoked pulled pork, beef brisket, juicy chicken, breast of turkey and heart stopper sausage. The menu offers some great appetizers, soups & salads, sandwiches and full platters, all made fresh daily by our skilled kitchen staff.

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