For Release: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

CLOSED CAMPGROUND AT REND LAKE TO OPEN FOR THE 2008 SEASON

Benton - U.S . Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the South Marcum campground at Rend Lake will open on June 16, 2008. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced that funding had been secured to open the campground. The South Marcum campground had originally been slated to be closed this season due to budget constraints. Costello has been a strong advocate for keeping facilities at Rend Lake open.

The South Marcum campground is located east of the Rend Lake dam. It is scheduled to open at approximately 8:00 a.m. on June 16 and will remain open for the duration of the 2008 recreation season.

“Rend Lake is a recreational destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout a broad regional area and is important to the economy of Southern Illinois ,” said Costello, a senior member of the House Water Resources and the Environment Subcommittee. “I would like to thank the Corps of Engineers for their efforts to re-open this campground which will expand camping opportunities for visitors to Rend Lake this summer.”

###