Corps of Engineers To Waive Fees for Veterans During Veterans Day Weekend

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District will waive day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at Corps-operated recreation areas at lakes Hartwell and J. Strom Thurmond for Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 10 through Nov. 12.

Recreation areas at the Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake are not Corps-managed. However, other agencies managing recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged but not required to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in areas they manage.

The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities, such as picnic shelters. The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices and selfless service of the nations’ service members, veterans and family members,” said Col. Jeff Hall, Savannah District commander. “We invite all active, reserve, veterans and families to enjoy a day at the lake together during this special holiday weekend.”

The Corps began the “Fee Free on Veterans Day” initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces, and to encourage them and their families to visit and enjoy the Corps’ many recreation sites.

The Army Corps of Engineers is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation.

Nationwide, the Corps operates more than 2,400 recreation areas that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages. The Corps estimates that 90 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas. To discover the Corps recreation site nearest you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District manages three lakes and hydroelectric dams along the Savannah River. It also oversees a multi-billion dollar military construction program at nine Army and Air Force installations in Georgia and North Carolina. Corps’ projects range from barracks, hospitals and clinics to maintenance facilities, headquarters buildings and aircraft hangars. The Savannah District also has oversight and maintains additional civil works projects – from the Savannah and Brunswick harbors to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.