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What follows is a clear example of how the soon to be introduced Federal Recreation Lands Pass is being exploited for commercial advantage with the support of the National Park Foundation. The photo contest described below was mandated by law. The commercial tie-in with Casio, was not.
Curiously enough, the official name for this pass (as legislated by Congress) does not appear in this news release. The law stipulated that this pass MUST be called the "America the Beautiful Pass."
Here are the exact words of the law:
The Secretaries shall establish, and may charge a fee for, an interagency national pass to be known as the `America the Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass', which shall cover the entrance fee and standard amenity recreation fee for all Federal recreational lands and waters for which an entrance fee or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged.
As it happens, I believe that name has been copyrighted, is privately owned, and is unavailable.
That being the case, it appears that land managers have chosen to pretend the law does not exist, presumably hoping they don't get caught.
Perhaps this is a small point. Perhaps not.
Crime is contagious.
If the government becomes a law breaker,
it breeds contempt for the law.
-Justice Louis D. Brandeis
Scott
--- begin quoted ---
http://sev.prnewswire.com/environmental-services/20060731/DCM05031072006-1.html
The National Park Foundation and Casio Launch 'Share the Experience' Photo Contest
Point and Shoot Photo Contest Encourages Summer Travelers to 'Share the Experience' While Benefiting Federal Recreation Lands
WASHINGTON, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans will visit
America's parks, forests, fishing holes and monuments this summer --
most of them with camera in hand to capture their adventures on film.
The National Park Foundation and Casio invite all of these summer
travelers to share their experience through a nationwide photo contest.
The annual contest benefits America's federal recreational lands
managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation,
the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
U.S. Forest Service. Prizes include Casio Exilim Zoom Cameras, a Ford
Escape Hybrid and vacations to federal recreation areas. The Grand
Prize winning image will grace the front of the 2008 Federal Recreation
Lands Pass.
Amateur photographers can enter up to three photos taken at any of
America's federal recreation lands. There are two photo categories that
will be judged. The first is for the front of the Federal Recreation
Lands Pass and will be judged on creativity, visual appeal and ability
to show the diversity and richness of America's federal lands, among
other things. The second category, Family Fun, will award photos that
show families enjoying the federal recreation sites, have visual appeal
and include an unexpected perspective. Winners will be selected by a
panel of judges from the benefiting agencies, the National Park
Foundation and Casio.
"Casio is proud to bring this contest to the American people on behalf
of the special places in America they love and we acknowledge that with
today's technology, you do not need to be a pro to take great
pictures," said Bill Heuer, Senior Vice President of Casio's Digital
Imaging Division. "The natural scenery and American historical sites
provide the perfect backdrop for summer memory-making. For most people
we know it won't be a question of which shots to take, but which shots
to enter in the contest." A complete list of contest rules and official
entry forms are available in all participating federal recreation lands
and online at http://www.sharetheexperience.org/. A gallery of entries
will be made available online beginning August 15th.
"Americans have been enjoying and supporting protected lands for more
than a century," said Jessica Murphey, Vice President of Development at
the National Park Foundation. "Sharing the experience through the photo
contest and gallery means that we can continue to chronicle the
important role these places play in the present and evolving history of
America."
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (http://www.nationalparks.org/) is a
501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a
century-long tradition of private philanthropy to help preserve and
enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit
partner of America's National Parks, the National Park Foundation
strengthens the connection between the American people and their
National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants,
creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.
Support for the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving
history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
About Casio
Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co.,
Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of
consumer electronics and business equipments solutions, established in
1957. Casio Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras,
mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches,
cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has
strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution"
through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For
more information, visit http://www.casiousa.com/.
About the Federal Recreational Lands Pass
The Federal Recreational Lands Pass will provide access to all
participating Federal Land Management Agency sites where entrance and
standard amenity fees are charged. This new pass will replace the
National Parks Pass and other federal recreational lands passes. More
than 80% of the revenue will support the site where you purchase the
pass and support vital federal lands projects. The new pass will be
available at federal recreation land management entrance stations,
ranger stations and visitor centers starting January 2007 and will be
valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. More information about
our federal recreation lands visit http://www.recreation.gov/.
Contact:
Liz Levitan
National Park Foundation
202-238-4187
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- Privatization 
