Corps of Engineers Changes Fees for Recreation Areas

The new year ushers in changes to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Savannah District fee structure for recreation day use at boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE.

Fees for Corps recreation area annual passes to these facilities will also change.

The Corps of Engineers conducted a review of its fee structure early in 2015 and determined fee changes are needed to ensure those fees remain comparable and fair to those charged by other local providers for similar facilities and services.

So effective Jan. 1, the cost for Corps recreation area annual day use passes is now $40.
The pass permits the holder and accompanying passengers the daily use of facilities managed by Corps of Engineers for one calendar year.
Special event fees at Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond also changed to $75 which covers events, facilities and activities.
Beginning today, the public will also be able to obtain Interagency America the Beautiful passes at the Hartwell, Thurmond and Russell projects, and more than 240 Corps of Engineer projects across the country.

And beginning Feb. 29, the day use fee structure at Thurmond and Hartwell Lakes will also change.
Day use fee of $5 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.
Day use fee of $2 per adult for walk-in or bike-in.
Day use fee of $20 will be charged per bus or commercial vehicle.
Children under the age of 16 are not charged a day use fee.
Payment of the day use fee entitles the user to launch a boat or use any developed swimming beach at a Corps-operated recreation area for that day.

For information on the new fee structure and the America the Beautiful pass program, visitors should contact Hartwell at 888-893-0678 or Thurmond at 800-533-3478. A directory of project offices is available at www.CorpsLakes.us.