BLM Las Cruces District installs cashless fee collection kiosks
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District recently installed Remote Off-Grid Kiosks that are designed to process card payments instead of cash at Three Rivers Petroglyph Recreation Area, Aguirre Spring Campground and Dripping Springs Natural Area.
Visitors are now able to pay with a debit or credit card instead of cash for a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly payment process. The new payment system will also allow visitors to make donations to the recreation site. The traditional iron ranger fee boxes at these sites will remain to take cash or checks if the visitor wishes.
“We are hoping that by installing these cashless systems, that we are offering our visitors an easier way to pay recreation fees,” said Las Cruces District Assistant Manager for Multi-Resources Dave Wallace. “These new kiosks will also minimize the use of the envelope and cash system used with the traditional iron ranger boxes.”
The kiosks are powered by solar energy and designed to allow for cashless fee collections even at remote campgrounds with limited connectivity. The kiosks can operate in areas without cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi or external power. The kiosks allow users to select standard or group campsites onsite, and are also configured to discount standard campsites if users have a valid Senior Access Pass. Campers must display a valid pass on their vehicle dashboard.
The kiosks ensure the most secure payment and data collection processes possible. All payment information is point-to-point encrypted. The systems are also Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard-compliant, and no card information is visible during the transaction process.
For more information about the new payment kiosks, please call the BLM Las Cruces District office at 575-525-4300.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.