WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsUS Corps of Engineers give veterans fee waiver on Veterans Day

US Corps of Engineers give veterans fee waiver on Veterans Day

ROCK ISLAND, IL (WKOW) -- Veterans, active, reserve, and guard service members and their families will be able to use U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas for free on Veterans Day, November 11.

"We began this initiative in 2006 to support and honor the men and women who have served the nation and the armed forces," said Steve Stockton, director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We encourage our veterans, active and reserve component personnel and their families to visit one of our many recreation areas and enjoy their favorite outdoor activities."

A day-use fee waiver for next Wednesday will only require a verbal confirmation of service. Veterans, active, reserve, and guard service members and their families will be able to use the following boat ramps along the Mississippi River for free: Grant River in Wisconsin;  Big Slough, Blanding Landing, Cattail Slough, Lock and Dam 13, and Thomson Causeway, in Illinois; and Clark's Ferry, Pleasant Creek, and Shady Creek in Iowa. 

The fee waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities like picnic shelters. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on Corps land are encouraged to offer the fee waiver, but not required to offer it.

The Army Corps of Engineers is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation and hosts more than 350 million visits each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas. Corps lands and waters offer approximately 4,500 miles of trails, 3,400 boat launch ramps and 33 percent of all U.S. freshwater fishing. You can find the Corps recreation area nearest you by clicking here.