SAVANNAH, Ga. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District will begin accepting the America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Pass Program’s new Interagency Annual Pass for Military (Military Pass) at Corps-managed recreation areas at the Hartwell and J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Projects.
Beginning on Armed Forces Day, May 19, service men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves, and their dependents who present the new Military Pass will receive a fee waiver to Corps-managed day-use areas (boat launches and swimming 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/military.html
Military members and their dependents may also present a Department of the Defense Identification Card or Common Access Card to receive the day-use fee waiver at Corps-managed day-use areas.
In a separate effort, the Corps of Engineers 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 CAC and a copy of their mid- or post-deployment (reintegration) leave orders. Camping fees are waived on a walk-up and space-available basis, as well as for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center at 1-877-444-6777. However, fees will not be waived for online reservations made through the online Recreation.gov website.
Acceptance of the fee waiver is encouraged, but not required, at recreation areas managed by other entities on Corps lands. The waiver is being implemented at Corps recreation areas across the nation. Find a Corps lake at www.CorpsLakes.us
"Our military service members and their families sacrifice so much for our country. The waiver of day-use fees at USACE 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 Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations.