The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,200 USACE-operated recreational areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on September 24, 2016. On this day, fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreational areas nationwide will be waived.
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, in Mississippi, day user fees are being waived only on September 24, 2016 at the four USACE lakes in north Mississippi, namely, Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada and Sardis. In Arkansas, day user fees are being waived only on September 24, 2016 at the three USACE lakes, namely, DeGray, Greeson and Lake Ouachita. In Louisiana, fees are also being waived only on September 24, 2016 at the Louisiana Field Office projects.
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. As the nation’s leading federal provider of water-based recreation, USACE manages 404 lake and river projects in 43 states.
The 68,000-square-mile Vicksburg District has 15 recreational sites in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi that host approximately nine million visitors annually. These visitors support nearly 2700 jobs, and impact the local economies with approximately $200 million annually.
USACE is the steward of the lands and waters at Corps water resources 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
