OMAHA, Neb. – Day-use fees at more than 2,400 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated recreation areas nationwide will be waived in recognition of National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29.
On this day, fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches will be waived. The Corps does not charge entrance fees to its parks.
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 recreation areas located on Corps lands are encouraged but not required to comply with this waiver of day-use fees in the areas they manage.
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 the local USACE event manager 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 park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees. For more information on the fee-free day and coupons visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/highlights/fee-free-day-and-coupons.
The Omaha District will be participating on Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon with Missouri River Relief to clean up along the Missouri River banks. Gloves, trash bags and life preservers will be supplied for volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to wear work clothes, sturdy shoes and long pants.
Among the Corps recreation areas under the oversight of the Omaha District, Lake Oahe near Pierre, S.D., will be hosting a brush removal and firewood distribution volunteer opportunity on Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and should contact the project office at (701) 255-0015 for more information.
In 2011, more than 12,000 volunteers worked approximately 50,000 hours to remove more than 1,500 tires, clear litter and debris from 1,475 miles of shoreline, build 100 miles of trails, and plant some 1,000 trees and shrubs at USACE-operated sites.
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 outdoor and water-based recreation, USACE manages 422 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, affordable outdoor recreation opportunities close to home.
To locate National Public Lands Day events near you, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/. For more information on USACE recreation opportunities visit www.CorpsLakes.us.