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Americans love recreating on the water, and when they do – it’s most likely on a lake or waterway managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the largest provider of water-based recreation in the country! The Corps Foundation is the only nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to supporting our nation’s lakes, rivers and the lands surrounding them. The Corps Foundation works to connect contributors, businesses, communities and “Friends” organizations to benefit visitors and help ensure healthy lakes and waterways for current and future generations.

BREAKING NEWS

The LAKES Act

We Need Your Support! Corps Foundation Announces LAKES Act Legislation!

The Corps Foundation is thrilled to announce the proposed LAKES Act with bipartisan support! Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Lakes Access Keeping Economies Strong legislation that’s building support everyday.

This bipartisan bill would improve outdoor recreation facilities in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-managed areas, provide new opportunities for public-private investments, and give local districts more flexibility to reinvest their resources.

Specifically, the LAKES Act will include authority for the US Army Corps of Engineers to retain up to 80% of recreation use fees to be reinvested directly to the Corps project where the fees were collected. This gives local managers the flexibility to repair infrastructure and complete maintenance with funds already paid by the visiting public. This long awaited authority will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to join other Federal land management agencies such as the National Park Service, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in retaining recreation fees.

HOW WE ARE HELPING

Supporting Recreation

Did you know that USACE operates and manages over 430 recreation sites and 12 million acres of land and waters in 42 states?  Over 270 million visitors annually enjoy the recreation activities at these sites, and their tourism dollars support local, mostly rural, gateway communities.  Federal funding for boating and fishing facilities and management has declined in spite of increased public demand.   LEARN MORE…

Donations and memberships to the Corps Foundation provide financial support to improve programs and facilities that directly benefit the public.

 

Stewarding Public Lands

We partner with agencies, organizations and local community efforts to sustain operations, improve recreational facilities, preserve natural and cultural resources and enhance the visitor experience.  The Corps Foundation pursues a variety of fundraising, and grant opportunities to  help keep USACE public lands open to the public, support the outdoor recreation economy and  leverage public-private resources.

 

Education and Advocacy

Visitor safety is a #1 priority for USACE.  The Corps Foundation supports USACE and the efforts of their employees and volunteers to educate the visiting public in ways that promote safe and sustainable use of lands and waters managed by USACE. The Corps Foundation has secured over $1 million in funds to help promote the award-winning Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns campaign. Free campaign materials are available for at PleaseWearIt.com and by following Please Wear It on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Corps Foundation educates and supports the visiting public and volunteers to promote safe and sustainable use of Corps lands and waters. Visitor safety is the #1 goal when using lakes and waterways managed by USACE.  The Corps Foundation secured $1 million in funding for the award-winning “Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns” campaign for water safety. Read about our success at  PleaseWearIt.com.

The Corps Foundation advocates for increased funding to address operational needs, unfunded maintenance and infrastructure restoration. We advocate for policy changes to increase opportunities for partnering, and leverage public-private resources. We work to build a case for stakeholder support by communicating the limitations of Federal Funding and the importance of partnerships to help meet public demand.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK

Why Join

People join the Corps Foundation to help keep access available to their favorite lake or waterway.  Your financial support benefits the parks, and the volunteers who dedicate their service to maintaining water recreation for everyone.   JOIN US…