WASHINGTON (September 22, 2008) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today it will waive day use and camping fees for active service military personnel and DoD civilians who are on mid- or post-deployment (reintegration) leave from duty in a hostile fire zone to include Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other deployments to support the Global War on Terror.

The Corps began waiving recreation fees for active service personnel on temporary leave from duty in Iraq in 2003. Today’s announcement expands the waiver to cover DoD civilians and active service military personnel on mid or post leave from all deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. 

"Our intent is to recognize the selfless service of these men and women to our nation and the world,” said Steve Stockton, the Corps Director of Civil Works. “The 2,476 Corps-operated recreation sites nationwide provide excellent opportunities to find renewal, solace, and inspiration, and to reconnect with families and friends.”

Active service military personnel and DoD civilians on leave will be required to show identification and leave orders/forms upon arrival to the recreation sites to obtain the waiver. The waiver will also apply to all immediate family members accompanying them on their visit. The waiver will be applied to day use and camping fees. Fees will be waived on a walk-up and space available basis, as well as for reservations made through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center. However, fees will not be waived for on-line reservations made through Recreation.gov.

In addition, state, local and other managing entities of recreation areas located on Corps lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of fees in the areas they manage.

The Corps is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing 423 projects (mostly lakes) nationwide and hosting more than 372 million visitors per year.  
Additional information about the Corps recreation program is available at www.CorpsLakes.us.