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“Alternatives considered to maintain park operations and acceptable visitor services within funding limitations included complete park closures, partial closures, season reductions and reduced visitor services” said Peggy O’Bryan, chief of operations division for the Savannah District. “Instead of complete park closures, we focused on adjusting visitor services and operating seasons to lower overall operations and maintenance costs.”
The reduction in visitor services includes reducing frequency in cleaning, mowing, water safety outreach, trash collection and some maintenance. These actions will affect Corps-operated campgrounds and day-use areas. The following areas at Hartwell Lake closed Oct. 1, 2011, and will reopen May 1, 2012, and operate through Sept. 9: Georgia River Campground, Long Point, Mullins Ford, Friendship, Elrod Ferry, Twelve Mile, River Forks, Singing Pines and Twin Lakes Day Use Areas. Boat ramps at these locations will remain open all year.
Weldon Island shelter loop, picnic sites, and ramp will be closed, but the Hattons Ford ramp area will remain open year round.
Crescent and Oconee Point Campgrounds on Hartwell Lake closed Nov. 1, 2011. They will reopen on May 1, 2012, and operate through Sept. 30.
Broad River on Thurmond Lake closed on Labor Day and will be open March 15 through Labor Day in 2012.
Mt. Carmel closed on Labor Day and will be open April 1 through Labor Day in 2012. Clay Hill closed on Sept. 30, and will be open April 1 through Labor Day in 2012.
The following campgrounds closed on Sept. 30, and will be open April 1, through Sept. 30, 2012: Big Hart, Hawe Creek, Hesters Ferry, Modoc, Raysville, Ridge Road and Winfield Campgrounds. Portions of Petersburg Campground remain open year round. The following day-use areas closed on Labor Day and will be open May 1 through Labor Day in 2012: Parksville, West Dam, Lake Springs and Amity. Boat ramps at Parksville, Lake Springs and Amity will remain open all year.
“The Corps will continue to deliver a quality recreation program, resilient in light of today’s fiscal realities and responsive to the changing needs of the American people,” O’Bryan said. “However, fiscal constraints create challenges to recreation program service delivery at Corps projects,” she said.
For the most current information on park seasons, visit the website at www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes or call the Hartwell Dam and Lake Office toll free at 888-893-0678 or the Thurmond Dam and Lake Office toll free at 800-533-3478.
SOURCE: Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers press release