The Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District announced it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday.
The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. said Laurie Driver, spokeswoman for the corps.
Volunteers who participate in one of the National Public Lands Day activities will be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers should check with their local corps' project office for more information, she said.
The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from the date of issue and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency's park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support the more than 66 corps projects in this year's National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at corps sites will take part in tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats, harvesting prairie plant seeds and rehabilitating playgrounds.
Last year, more than 13,000 volunteers served 47,000 hours on corps-managed lands, removing 152,000 pounds of trash, cleaning 1,400 miles of roadways and shoreline, improving 360 acres of habitat, and engaging 303 partner organizations, Driver said.
For more information on National Public Lands Day or to find events near you, www.publiclandsday.org or call your local corps lake or river office.
Little Rock District recreation information can be found at www.swl.usace.army.mil, www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and at twitter.com/#!/usacelittlerock.