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BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has been under financial pressure after Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter moved to wean the agency from taxpayer support two years ago.

Now, director Nancy Merrill is promoting a plan she hopes will raise an additional $1.9 million annually.

It's called a "Passport" program, to allow drivers to voluntarily pay a $10 fee when they register the automobiles, giving them access to 30 Idaho state parks.

The agency currently offers a passport, but it costs $40 and raises only $800,000 annually.

Merrill is hoping the reduced price -- and access to more potential buyers, through the state's vehicle registration program -- will result in more revenue.

She says that happened in Michigan, which raised $18 million during the first year of a similar program.