WASHINGTON The federal governments "final rule" for all land and sea travel into the United States, which goes into effect next June, has travel industry groups worried it could result in confusion and logjams at Americas northern border and possibly hurt inbound U.S. tourism.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State jointly issued the rule as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a core 9/11 Commission border security recommendation.

The rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved document, denoting citizenship and identity, for all land and sea travel into the U.S., starting June 1, 2009. The requirement covers all travelers who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

"We are on course to implement and enforce the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which is an important step forward in securing the homeland," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Limiting and standardizing the types of documents presented will result in a more secure and efficient border. We will continue to encourage cross-border travel and trade while at the same time decreasing identity theft and fraud."

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has okayed the Washington State Enhanced Drivers License as a federal government-approved document.

The feds published the final rule well in advance of its implementation to give travelers ample time to obtain the documents they will need to enter or re-enter the United States starting June 1. Approved documents include a passport, a "trusted traveler card" (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST), or a Washington State Enhanced Drivers License.

The Department of State also is accepting applications for the new "Passport Cards," a streamlined passport, and additional states and Canadian provinces will be issuing enhanced drivers licenses in the next several months - all designed for land and sea border use.

Beginning next year, the Department of Homeland Security will institute special provisions that allow school or other organized groups of children ages 18 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship alone.

During the next year, the State and Homeland Security departments will be conducting public information campaigns to inform U.S. and Canadian citizens about the new document requirements.

However, the Travel Industry Association and the Travel Business Roundtable have expressed concern that the feds plan for building awareness of the new rule is neither ambitious nor expansive enough.

"Despite receiving hundreds of comments about confusion with the new rule changes, the Department of Homeland Security has yet to implement a comprehensive and well-funded communications campaign," said Roger Dow, president and chief executive of TIA.

"The economic stakes are too high for a casual implementation strategy. A 5 percent decline in Canadian visits to the United States could cost the American economy nearly $700 million," he added.

Dow says the "Travel Promotion Act" (S. 1661 and H.R. 3232), currently pending before Congress, would establish a well-funded public-private campaign to better explain changing U.S. entry policies and welcome more international visitors.

"Border states and the entire American economy need an effective travel promotion and communication program," said Dow.

Canadians made more than 40 million visits to the United States in 2006, spending more than $13.5 billion.