PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has initiated a photo identification pass system for people who are eligible under certain disability rules for free admission to state beaches. The Governor's Commission on Disabilities has purchased a special photo identification machine for DEM to help the department implement the new system. In the past, only a vehicle driven by an eligible disabled person was admitted to state beaches free of charge. Under the new system, fees will be waived for any vehicle in which a driver or passenger shows the special photo ID.

The new photo identification machine will be taken to four sites across the state during the next month for the convenience of those who are eligible for a free pass. The pass also can be obtained on any weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the headquarters of DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation at 2321 Hartford Avenue, in Johnston.

• On Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, the photo identification machine will be at Colt State Park headquarters in Bristol.
• On Saturday, May 6, the first weekend of the beach season, it will be at Scarborough Beach North in Narragansett, from 9 a.m. to noon.
• On Wednesday, May 17, from 5 p.m. until dusk, it will be at the clubhouse at Goddard State Park in Warwick.
• And, on Sunday, May 28, from noon until 4 p.m., it will be at the check station at Burlingame State Park in Charlestown.

Anyone who has a physical or mental impairment and is receiving Social Security disability or supplemental security income benefits is eligible for free admittance to state beaches with the ID. Also eligible for the ID is anyone receiving Veterans Benefits who is 100 percent disabled through a service connected disability. However, specific documentation is necessary to receive the ID. Information on documentation is available by calling DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation at 222-2632 or by visiting DEM's website at www.dem.state.ri.us and clicking on RI Parks.