ROCK ISLAND, Ill.  - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11.

The Rock Island District of the Army Corps of Engineers manages dozens of recreation areas throughout its area of responsibility which spans across most of Iowa and Illinois, as well as parts of Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. At this time of year, most District recreation sites are closed for the season but many of the District's boat ramps on the Mississippi River will participate in the Veterans Day offer and waive day use fees. Boat ramps at the following locations will participate: Grant River, Blanding Landing, Pleasant Creek, Big Slough, Thomson Causeway, Cattail Slough, Clarks Ferry, Lock and Dam 13 and Shady Creek.

"This Veterans Day we will honor our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families with an invitation to visit one of the thousands of Corps recreation sites nationwide, free of charge. As an active participant of the administration's America's Great Outdoors initiative, we hope that you will join us," said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.

"We began this 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 one of our many recreation sites," said Mike Ensch, Chief of Operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

With more than 370 million visits annually to 422 lake and river projects, the Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. The more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages, and 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

Public Law 84-99 Rehabilitation Assistance
Corps notifies levee owners of repair assistance for flood-damaged projects

ROCK ISLAND, ILL. - May 19, 2011 - Public sponsors of flood damage reduction projects sustaining flood damages between March 22 and May 18, 2011, can apply for repair assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District.  Applications are being accepted until June 18, 2011.

Under the authority of Public Law 84-99, the Corps can supplement local repair efforts of both non-federal (constructed by non-federal interests) and federal (Corps-constructed, locally operated and maintained) flood damage reduction projects damaged by flood waters.

Non-federal projects eligible for rehabilitation assistance must have been inspected, evaluated, and active in the Corps' Rehabilitation and Inspection Program prior to the onset of the flood, and still be active (based on the latest Corps Continuing Eligibility inspection) at the time of the flood.  Federal projects eligible for rehabilitation assistance must be in an active status by passing its last Inspection of Completed Works inspection.

Rehabilitation assistance will be provided by the Corps if the work is economically justifiable, the damage was sustained during the recent flood event, and the cost of repairs is more than $15,000.  Rehabilitation assistance for a non-federal project is cost shared between the public sponsor and the Corps.  The project sponsor must provide 20 percent of the cost of the rehabilitation assistance. Rehabilitation assistance for a federal project is 100 percent federally funded.  All repairs are contingent on funding by Congress.

If a sponsor believes their project may qualify for rehabilitation assistance, a written request must be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Sponsors can download an "Application for Rehabilitation Assistance for Flood Damage Reduction Projects following a Flood Event," on the Web at:  http://go.usa.gov/jEH.  Applications must be signed by an officer or responsible official of the public sponsor and mailed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District
Emergency Management Division
Clock Tower Building, PO Box 2004
Rock Island, Illinois 61204-2004

Upon receipt of the public sponsor's request, the Corps will schedule an inspection with the sponsor.  Levee owners with questions concerning rehabilitation assistance can contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 309-794-5325.

Web Links:

•       Application for Rehabilitation Assistance for Flood Damage Reduction Projects following a Flood Event: http://go.usa.gov/jEH
•       U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/
•       U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Emergency Management Office: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/EmergencyMgt/
•       U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Levee Safety Program: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/publicaffairsoffice/LSP1/LSPHome.htm

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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is closing three locks on the Mississippi River due to high river levels.  The closures are necessary as the Mississippi River overtops lock gates making the locks inoperable.

On Friday, April 15, three locks will close due to high water:

  • Lock 12 (Bellevue, Iowa)
  • Lock 13 (Fulton, Ill.)
  • Lock 16 (Illinois City, Ill.)

Rising Mississippi River levels may result in the closure of additional locks over the next several weeks.  Since the Mississippi River levels will fluctuate due to spring rains, it is too soon to forecast remaining lock closings or the duration of closures for this flood event.   All Illinois River locks are expected to remain open during this year's spring flooding.

The Mississippi River is moving swiftly and all recreational boaters are advised to use extreme caution.  Swimming, wading or entering the Mississippi River during these high river stages is not recommended.  There are no short cuts to safety.  The Corps also urges people who live or travel near rivers to continue to monitor water levels and in particular, not to drive into water-covered roads.  Alternate routes should be used.

Updated information about the Mississippi River is available on the web by visiting the Corps' website at www.rivergages.com.  This web site includes links to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service websites that track Mississippi River flow and projected rainfall amounts.

Web Links:

Lock Conditions: http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/omni/webrpts/omni_lc/ice_reportm.cfm?seq1=-12
Lock Locations: www.mvr.usace.army.mil/PublicAffairsOffice/LockLocationMap.pdf
Mississippi River 9-foot Staircase: www.mvr.usace.army.mil/PublicAffairsOffice/9FootStaircase.gif
Locks and Dams: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/brochures/documents/UMRSLocksandDams.pdf

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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Spring rains and the spring thaw are just around the corner and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is ready to assist Midwest communities with sandbags, plastic sheeting, pumps and engineering expertise.

Preparations for potential spring flooding have begun in communities along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers and their tributaries.  The Rock Island District is also preparing its team of flood area engineers to provide flood-fighting technical support and is ensuring flood-fight supplies are stocked and available to communities throughout the upper Midwest.

In preparation for spring flooding the District has reviewed and updated its flood response plan and is assisting local and county agencies with updating their flood plans.  This month, approximately 50 specially trained Corps' flood area engineers are receiving refresher training and flood-assistance teams are being re-structured to provide flood-fighting assistance to communities within the District's 78,000 square-mile area of operations.

Technical expertise is only a part of the District's public assistance.  Flood-fighting supplies are also being procured for distribution to local organizations, cities, counties and states.  The District currently has a stock of approximately 2 million sandbags, 2 thousand rolls of polyethylene sheeting, and 100 pumps ranging in diameter from 4 to 16 inches with the capability of pumping up to 10,000 gallons of water per minute.

To expedite the process of obtaining flood-fight supplies from the Corps, the Rock Island District is coordinating with local, county and state Emergency Operations personnel on the procedures for requesting flood-fight commodities.

The Rock Island District provides flood-fighting assistance and supplies to communities within its 78,000 square-mile area covering the eastern two-thirds of Iowa, the northern half of Illinois and corners of Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.  This area includes 314 miles of the Mississippi River and 268 miles of the Illinois Waterway and their tributaries.  The District is the national supplier of Innovative Flood Fight Products for the Corps of Engineers and the Regional Flood Fight Product Distribution Center for the upper Midwest.

For more information about the District's emergency response activities, visit us on the web @: http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/EmergencyMgt/

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day-use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11.
The Rock Island District is waiving day-use fees at the following boat ramps on the Mississippi River in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin:
·         Big Slough, Thomson, Ill.
·         Blanding Landing, Hanover, Ill.
·         Cattail Slough, Fulton, Ill.
·         Thomson Causeway, Thomson, Ill.
·         Lock & Dam 13, Fulton, Ill.
·         Pleasant Creek, Bellevue, Iowa
·         Clark's Ferry, Montpelier, Iowa
·         Shady Creek, Muscatine, Iowa
·         Grant River, Potosi, Wis.
"More than 350 million visitors a year enjoy the outdoors at Army Corps of Engineers' recreation projects.  This Veterans Day we will continue the valued tradition of honoring our veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families with an invitation to visit one of the thousands of Corps recreation sites throughout the country, free of charge.  As the Corps is an active member of this administration's America's Great Outdoors initiative, we hope that you will join us," said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service.  This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees.  The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters.  Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.
"We began this 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 one of our many recreation areas," said Steve Stockton, Director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Corps is the nation's largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states.  The more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation areas nationwide provide a diverse range of outdoor activities to people of all ages, and the Corps estimates that nearly 89 percent of its recreation projects are within 50 miles of metropolitan areas. To discover the Corps recreation areas nearest you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm
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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waiving day use fees for veterans, active, reserve and guard service members and their families at its recreation areas on Veterans Day, November 11.


"We began this initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served the nation and the armed forces," said Steve Stockton, director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We encourage our veterans, active and reserve component personnel and their families to visit one of our many recreation areas and enjoy their favorite outdoor activities."


The day-use fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. On November 11, day use fees will be waived for veterans, active, reserve and guard service members and their families using the following boat ramps along the Mississippi River: Grant River in Wisconsin; Big Slough, Blanding Landing, Cattail Slough, Lock and Dam 13, and Thomson Causeway, in Illinois; and Clark's Ferry, Pleasant Creek, and Shady Creek in Iowa.

The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities, such as picnic shelters.  Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required to offer the Veterans Day waiver of fees in the areas that they manage.

The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation and hosts more than 350 million visits each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas. Corps lands and waters provide approximately 4,500 miles of trails, 3,400 boat launch ramps and 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing. To discover the Corps recreation area near you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm


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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (July 29, 2009) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is waving day use fees Aug. 1-9 at its more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide. This waiver includes sites within the Rock Island District.

The waiver applies to day use fees collected at boat launches and swimming beach facilities. Fees for camping and camping related services and specialized facilities or special events will not be waived.

Day Use Fees are being waived at the following Rock Island District boat ramps on the Mississippi River: Grant River, Blanding Landing, Pleasant Creek, Big Slough, Thomson Causeway, Lock and Dam 13, Cattail Slough, Clarks Ferry, and Shady Creek. Day use fees are waived at beaches and boat ramps in Iowa at Coralville Lake (Iowa City), Lake Red Rock (Pella), and Saylorville Lake (Des Moines).

"The Corps is waiving day use fees to highlight recreational opportunities available to the public," said Susan Clevenstine, Rock Island District Outdoor Recreation Planner. "We want people to take advantage of their public lands by using our beaches and boat ramps free of charge for the week."

State and local agencies and private partners who manage recreation facilities on Corps lands are encouraged but not required to comply with the fee waiver.

The Corps is the nation's largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting more than 350 million visitors per year at more than 400 lakes and river projects. Many of these sites are located close to major metropolitan areas and provide 4,500 miles of trails, 90,000 campsites, and 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing.

To find the nearest Corps of Engineers recreation site, please visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

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Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island District has teamed with New Orleans District and other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices to design and construct the greater New Orleans area Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS). This $14.3 billion project is designed to reduce storm surge risk to the greater New Orleans area and be completed in 2011.

Rock Island District opened the doors to its Rock Island New Orleans Support (RINOS) Office and will celebrate the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1 at 1 p.m. on Rock Island Arsenal, Building 68, third floor.

Congressman Phil Hare Joins Corps for May 1 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony  

 

The RINOS office is responsible for providing New Orleans District with project management, engineering, design, contracting, real estate and other support for four specific HSDRRS projects totaling nearly $1 billion of construction, and includes the world's largest interior drainage pumping station. The four projects are on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the greater New Orleans area. The Rock Island District plans to bolster its workforce by hiring more than 100 government employees and contractors in 2009, mostly engineers and scientists, to help complete the four projects and meet other increased workload requirements. Half of those will be working full-time in the RINOS office.

 

Recognizing that a tremendous amount of work must be completed in a very short timeframe, Corps leadership is leveraging the expertise of all six Corps Districts in the Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and other Corps and professional organizations to include the Engineer Research and Development Center, which has a major laboratory in Champaign, Illinois associated with the University of Illinois.

 

A top domestic priority for the nation, the HSDRRS incorporates 350 miles of levees and floodwalls designed to reduce the risk of flooding during a storm event that has a one percent chance of occurring any given year in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina, in August 2005, flooded approximately 80 percent of New Orleans. With post-Katrina design criteria and full federal funding, the Corps is on track to provide this level of risk reduction in 2011. The RINOS office is helping the Corps meet that objective.

 

Col. (Ret.) Tom Hodgini, formerly the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District, has been chosen to lead the RINOS team. Stanley Consultants of Muscatine, Iowa, is working with New Orleans District contractor ECM-GEC JV of Metairie, Louisiana, to provide engineering support to the RINOS Office.

 

"We are honored to be able to provide some of our expertise in this part of the Mississippi Valley and Midwest to assist the nation in accomplishing this important mission in New Orleans," said Col. Robert Sinkler, Rock Island District Commander. "We will still be able to accomplish the New Orleans mission, complete 2008 Midwest flood recovery efforts, and meet all of our other responsibilities within the five 300-mile river basins of the Midwestern state area we serve."

For more information about the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System visit the web @ http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/hps2/

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