June 6, 2023
USACE Birthday and Juneteenth National Independence Day
In 2023, the US Army and USACE will celebrate its 248th birthday. To commemorate this milestone going forward, USACE will waive day use fees at USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE birthday on June 16th. Additionally, USACE for the first time will recognize the new Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19 as a fee free holiday as well.

On 24 October 2022, Mr. Thomas P. Smith, Chief of Operations and Regulatory, approved the USACE fee free days for FY23. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies or vendors that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage. USACE also offers other fee-free days throughout the year to mark days of celebration and commemoration, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veterans Day, and National Public Lands Day.

This effort is in line with principles set forth in the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) where Federal Land Management agencies have made a concerted effort to increase consistencies in our fee free days as well as other program areas, including equity, diversity and inclusive experiences outdoors. Since the USACE birthday fee free day (June 16th) and the Juneteenth Holiday (June 19th) are on a Friday and Monday respectively, managers are encouraged to take this opportunity to make a long fee free weekend as the standard procedure.

As always, we appreciate the incredible work and effort our NRM professionals do each and every day and wish everyone a safe and incident free weekend.

Jeff
Jeffrey F. Krause
Chief, Natural Resources Management

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