ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced that it will waive day use
fees, normally charged at boat launch ramps, and swimming beaches, at its recreation areas, nationwide, in
recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 22.
The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities, such as
group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located, on USACE lands, are
encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.
In addition, volunteers who participate in one of USACE’s 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 USACE project office for more information. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year, from date of issue,
and may be used for one day of entrance, or day use fees, at any participating federal agency park, forest or
recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support the more than 66 USACE projects participating in this year’s
National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at
USACE 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 USACE-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.
USACE has been involved with National Public Lands Day since its inception in 1994, and has consistently
been one of the event’s largest providers of sites and volunteers. USACE manages more than 400 lake and river
projects in 43 states. With 90 percent of these projects located within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, USACE
sites provide a wide variety of safe, and affordable, outdoor recreation opportunities close to home.
For more information on National Public Lands Day, or to find events near you, visit
http://www.publiclandsday.org/
For more information on Albuquerque District recreation opportunities visit: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation.aspx
National Public Lands Day events in the Albuquerque District:
Abiquiu Lake:
Abiquiu Lake will host its Annual National Public Lands Day event Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Cerrito Recreation Area. Activities include shoreline cleanup, a landscaping project, and trail work. The local radio station, KDCE, will be onsite, doing a live broadcast during the event. Afterwards volunteers will be treated to a free hamburger/hotdog lunch. For more details, contact Austin Kuhlman, Abiquiu Lake project office, at 505-685-4371.
Cochiti Lake:
Cochiti Lake will host its National Public Lands Day event Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Volunteers can register at the booth at the Cochiti Boat Ramp. Activities include trail maintenance and trash pickup. There will be lots of free giveaways, including national park passes, books, gift certificates and more! For more information contact Nicholas Parks, Cochiti Lake project office, at 505-465-0307.
Conchas Lake:
Conchas Lake will host its National Public Lands Day event Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Activities include trash cleanup. Volunteers will meet at the south Vessel Inspection Station. For more information, contact Philip Duck, Conchas Lake project office, at 575-868-2221.
Santa Rosa Lake:
Santa Rosa Lake will host its National Public Lands Day event Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The safety briefing starts at 9:00 am at the Juniper Park Campground Group Shelter. The day’s activities include shoreline cleanup. Certificates for participation and lunch will be served immediately following the cleanup. Water will also be provided to all participants. Volunteers are urged to bring gloves, hat and sunblock. For more information, contact the Santa Rosa project office at 575-472-3115.
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