ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District announces it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 26.
The waiver does not apply to camping, camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on Corps of Engineers lands are also encouraged, but not required, to comply with the waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.
In addition to waiving day use fees the Corps will also be hosting National Public Lands Day activities throughout the District where participating volunteers can be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers looking to find local events to participate in can visit the website http://www.publiclandsday.org/ 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.
Thousands of volunteers across the country are expected to support the more than 90 USACE projects participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at USACE sites will take part in tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats, harvesting prairie plant seeds and rehabilitating playgrounds.
USACE has been involved with National Public Lands Day 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 more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states. With 90 percent of these projects located within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, USACE sites provide a wide range of safe and affordable outdoor recreation opportunities close to home.
To locate National Public Lands Day events near you, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/ or call your local USACE lake or river office. For more information on USACE recreation opportunities visit www.CorpsLakes.us.
Release no. 15-060