ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday it will begin accepting the America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Pass Program’s new Interagency Annual Pass for Military at its more than 2,500 Corps-managed recreation areas nationwide.
"Our military service members and their families sacrifice so much for our country. The waiver of day-use fees at Corps lakes and recreation areas will make it easier and more affordable for them to get to the great outdoors with their families and relax,” said Corps Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh.
Beginning on Armed Forces Day May 19, service members and activated National Guard and Reserve, and their dependents who present the new Military Pass will receive a fee waiver to Corps-managed, day-use areas. The Military Pass, which is free, may be obtained in person at U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. Additional information on the Federal Recreation Pass Program is available at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/annual.html.
Military members and their dependents may also present a Department of the Defense identification card to receive the day-use fee waiver at Corps-managed areas.
In a separate effort, the Corps will continue to waive camping fees for active duty military members and their dependents on mid- or post-deployment leave. To qualify for a camping fee waiver at a Corps-managed campground, a member or dependent must present the new Military Pass or DOD identification and a copy of their mid- or post-deployment leave orders. Camping fees are waived on a walk-up, space available basis and for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center at (877) 444-6777. However, fees will not be waived for on-line reservations made through the Recreation.gov website.
Acceptance of Corps fee waivers is encouraged, but not required, at the more than 1,800 nationwide recreation areas managed by other entities on Corps lands.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood risk reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $181 million to the five-state district economy. The 700 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
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Release no. 12-045