VETERANS DAY FEE-FREE AT LAKE MEAD AND OTHER SOUTHERN NEVADA PUBLIC LANDS

Date: November 4, 2009
Contact: Andrew S. Munoz

LAS VEGAS –  Lake Mead National Recreation Area along with all public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation will be fee-free on Veterans Day, Wednesday Nov. 11 in honor of America's service men and women.

"The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee-free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of
our armed forces can never be understated," said Salazar.

Las Vegas serves as a unique gateway to public lands. Within a half-day's drive from Las Vegas there are six national parks, including Grand Canyon, Zion and Death Valley; two national recreation areas - Lake Mead, and
Spring Mountains; two national conservation areas - Red Rock Canyon, and Sloan Canyon; four national wildlife refuges - Ash Meadows, Desert, Pahranagat, and Moapa Valley; 24 wilderness areas, and 2 wilderness study areas.

The Department of Agriculture also is waiving entrance fees at national forests.

Visit http://www.snap.gov for more about Southern Nevada public lands.