CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that as of Jan. 1, 2016, the recreation day use fees charged for boat launches and swimming beaches managed by the Corps in New England are using a simpler fee structure. The fee for a Corps annual pass to these facilities is also changing. Some locations may also see a change in camping fees and the fee for a Special Use Permit, which covers events, facilities and activities. These fees were last changed in 2002. The Corps conducted a review of its fee structure last year and determined that fee changes were needed to ensure the Corps fees remain comparable and fair to those charged by other local providers for similar facilities and services.

The day use fee structure at Corps-managed facilities will vary depending upon the comparability study conducted by each Corps project, but the minimum day use fees as of Jan. 1 are as follows:

• Minimum day use fee of $5.00 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.

• Minimum day use fee of $2.00 per adult for walk-in or bike-in.

• Minimum day use fee of $20.00 will be charged per bus or commercial vehicle.

• Children under the age of 16 are not charged a day use fee.

   

  Payment of the day use fee entitles the user to launch a boat or use any developed swimming beach at a Corps-operated recreation area for that day. A Corps annual day use pass may be purchased for $40, which permits the holder and accompanying passengers the daily use of facilities managed by the Corps for one calendar year. For information on the new fee structure, visitors should contact their local Corps recreation project. A directory of project offices is available at www.CorpsLakes.us.

   

  In Massachusetts, this change will impact visitors to Buffumville Lake on the Little River in Charlton. For specifics call (508) 248-5697 or visit www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/BuffumvilleLake.aspx.

  Also, it will impact visitors to West Hill Dam on the West River in Uxbridge. For specifics call (508) 278-2511 or visit www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/WestHillDam.aspx.

   

  In Connecticut, this change will impact visitors to Hop Brook Lake situated on the brook of the same name in the towns of Middlebury, Waterbury and Naugatuck. For specifics call 203-729-8840 or visit www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/HopBrookLake.aspx.

    

  In New Hampshire, this change will impact visitors to Elm Brook Park at Hopkinton-Everett Lakes in Hopkinton. For specifics call (603) 746-3601 or visit www.corpslakes.us/HopkintonEverett or www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/HopkintonEverettLake.aspx.

   

  In Vermont, this change will impact visitors to North Hartland Lake on the Ottauquechee River in Hartland. For specifics call (802) 295-2855 or visit www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/NorthHartlandLake.aspx.