ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 30.
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 USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.
Within the Rock Island District several events are planned in support of this year’s National Public Lands Day.
• Coralville Lake - Trail cleanup at Cedar Valley Trail on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come help remove invasive species along the trail, build bridges cross creek and drainage areas, and pick up liter. To show their appreciation, the Coralville staff will host a free lunch for volunteers and give volunteers free camping Saturday night in Sugar Bottom Campground. To sign up for the event call 319-338-3543 ext. 6306 or email Coralville.lake@usace.army.mil with ‘Natural Resource Volunteer’ in the subject line.
• Lake Red Rock - Cleanup day on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers should meet at the visitor center. To participate call 641-828-7522.
• Saylorville Lake - Trash pick up on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the visitor center. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. No presign up is necessary. For questions call 515-276-4656. For every three hours volunteered per family or group, the park rangers will give out a voucher for a night of free camping.
Last year, more than 6,000 volunteers participated in National Public Lands Day activities at 72 USACE lakes. The volunteers cleaned 285 miles of shoreline, maintained 105 miles of trails, removed 59,000 pounds of trash, and planted approximately 400 trees and shrubs on USACE-managed lands.
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. 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.
For more information on National Public Lands Day or to find 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.
-end-
