The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage. USACE welcomes volunteers to continue the annual tradition of public service by participating in NPLD events. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eihyHywK

Saturday, September 28, join us at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites for a day of free outdoor fun and service! We're hosting events as part of the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort —National Public Lands Day. Led by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies, #NationalPublicLandsDay highlights the importance of preserving open spaces for education, recreation, and well-being. Whether you’re helping restore habitats or planting trees, it’s all about coming together to care for our public lands. No special skills needed, just your passion for the outdoors. Ready to join in? Check out these exciting events happening at USACE sites: Abiquiu Lake, NM - Join the effort to protect a local pollinator garden by making plant ID tags with the kids or cleaning up the shoreline and recreation areas. Hartwell Lake, GA - Participate in the Fall Splash Away the Trash Weekend, where volunteers will clean up parks, shorelines, and islands to help keep Hartwell Lake pristine. J. Percy Priest Lake, TN - Join volunteer projects, including trash pickup, trail maintenance, and painting. Participate in activities to promote health, wellness, recreation, and water safety. Carters Lake, GA - Help with trash removal, trail maintenance, and fish habitat restoration during National Public Lands Day at Carters Lake. Let’s work together to protect and preserve our public lands for future generations. #NPLD #NationalPublicLandsDay #publiclands

Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, Jr. today assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and became the Army’s 56th Chief of Engineers during a three-part ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Conmy Hall. Graham assumed command from outgoing USACE commander Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon during the change of command ceremony hosted by Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George. Immediately prior to the change of command ceremony, Graham was promoted to lieutenant general. Following the ceremony, Spellmon, a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, retired from the Army after a 38-year active-duty career. Also in attendance were Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth; Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor; Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment Rachel Jacobson; prior USACE commanders and assistant secretaries of the Army for Civil Works; and several of Spellmon’s fellow USMA classmates. Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/e2c_rc2g

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced the first set of proposals being invited to apply for loans under the new Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP). CWIFP is a new federal financing program to provide loans and loan guarantees for borrowers for safety projects to maintain, upgrade, and repair non-federal dams. To date, Congress has provided the program $81 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional appropriations. CWIFP will use some of these funds to extend credit assistance to help finance non-federal dam safety projects. USACE is inviting 18 proposals spanning 12 states to submit full applications to the program. Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/eiYFGWkB

After 38 years of service, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon and his wife, Sharise, reflect on their Army journey on the eve of Lt. Gen. Spellmon's retirement. Tomorrow, command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will pass to Maj. Gen. (P) William "Butch" Graham Jr. Thank you, Lt. Gen. and Mrs. Spellmon, for your years of service, leadership and support to the Army. Best wishes for your future endeavors. Essayons!

On Sept. 11, 2024, the 55th Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, signed a Chief’s Report recommending to Congress a flood risk management plan for portions of the Tar-Pamlico River Basin in eastern North Carolina. If approved by Congress and included in the next Water Resources Development Act, separate appropriations will need to be passed to fund design and construction of the project.

After 38 years of service, the active-duty Army career of Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon comes to a close tomorrow as he retires from military service in a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Conmy Hall.  Immediately prior to the retirement ceremony, Spellmon will also relinquish his role as the Army’s 55th Chief of Engineers and commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) during a change of command ceremony. Spellmon began his career as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1982. A member of the Army football team, he always remembers the outcome of games he played in, including a 1984 game in Detroit, Michigan, where Army beat Michigan State 12-9, but more importantly he met his future wife, Sharise, after the game.  As Spellmon says with a smile, “I had two wins that weekend.”  At the time of his retirement, he is the last remaining member of the USMA class of 1986 to still be serving on active duty. Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/edURV-d9

On Sept. 11, 2024, the 55th Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, signed the chief's report containing recommendations to Congress for the Western Everglades Restoration Project for inclusion in the next Water Resources Development Act. If approved by Congress and included in the next Water Resources Development Act, separate appropriations will need to be passed to fund design and construction of the project.

Today is a day that is forever engrained in American history. 🇺🇸 Today is September 11th, Patriot Day. Join us in honoring and remembering those who were lost on that tragic day and all who have died from illnesses due to the aftermath and rescue efforts.

Is your emergency kit ready? The time to prepare is now! Following disasters, you may need to survive on your own for several days. The time to gather food, water, medicine, and other basic items your household may need is now! Find a Disaster Supplies Kit checklist here to help you prepare: ready.gov/kit Don't forget to download the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency App! It will help you stay up-to-date with weather and emergency alerts: ready.gov/fema-app