Army Corps of Engineers waives fees on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 22

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 22.

The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreational areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.

In recognition of NPLD, day user fees are being waived on Sept. 22 at the following locations within the Vicksburg District:

• North Mississippi: Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada and Sardis
• Arkansas: DeGray, Greeson and Lake Ouachita
• Louisiana: Louisiana Field Office projects

In addition, volunteers who participate in one of USACE’s National Public Lands Day activities will be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers should check with their local USACE project for more information. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from date of issue and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency’s park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees. 

USACE has been involved with NPLD since its inception in 1994 and has consistently been one of the event’s largest providers of sites and volunteers.  Thousands of volunteers are expected to support the more than 66 USACE projects participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. As the nation’s leading federal provider of water-based recreation, USACE manages more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states.

The Vicksburg District is the steward of the lands and waters at its water resource projects. Its natural resources management mission is to manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with the ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations. To locate NPLD events near you, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/. . For more information on USACE recreation opportunities visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

xxx