FEDERAL RECREATION AND REI STORE PARTNERSHIP
                                                Release No. 0121.97
Media Advisory



                                      Ron DeHart   (206) 744-3573
                                      Janet Sledge (202) 720-2065
                                                 

FEDERAL RECREATION AND REI STORE PARTNERSHIP GETS VICE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

     WASHINGTON, April 18, 1997--U.S. Department of Agriculture Under
Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Lyons will present the
Vice President's Hammer Award to a team of USDA Forest Service, National
Park Service, Northwest Interpretive Association, and REI retail store
employees. The award recognizes the taxpayer savings and government
efficiency of relocating the federal Outdoor Recreation Information Center
from Seattle's Jackson Federal Building to REI's new flagship store.

What:  Outdoor Recreation Information Center dedication   
When:  Saturday, April 19, 1997
Time:  9:00 a.m.
Where: REI's new flagship store, 222 Yale Ave. North, Seattle, WA.

     The Hammer award consists of a $6 hammer, a ribbon and a note from Vice
President Al Gore, all in an aluminum frame.  The award recognizes new
standards of excellence achieved by teams of federal, state or local
government employees and private citizens who want to build a better
government.

                                #

NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the
Internet.Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at
http://www.usda.gov