MOBILE, Ala. — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District announced today that beginning Jan. 1, 2016, the recreation day use fees charged for boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE will change to a simpler fee structure. The fee for a USACE annual pass to these facilities will also change.

These fees were last changed in 2002. Some locations may also see a change in camping fees and the fee for a special use permit, which covers events, facilities and activities.

USACE conducted a review of its fee structure earlier this year and determined that fee changes are needed to ensure USACE fees remain comparable and fair to those charged by other local providers for similar facilities and services.

The day use fee structure at USACE-managed facilities will vary depending upon the comparability study conducted by each USACE project, but the minimum day use fees beginning in January will be as follows:

• Minimum day use fee of $5 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.

• Minimum day use fee of $2 per adult for walk-in or bike-in.

• Minimum day use fee of $20 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 USACE-operated recreation area for that day.

A USACE annual day use pass may be purchased for $40, which permits the holder and accompanying passengers the daily use of facilities managed by USACE for one calendar year. The public will also be able to obtain Interagency America the Beautiful Passes at more than 240 USACE projects across the country.

These passes may be purchased for $80, are valid for one year from the month of purchase, and cover entrance or standard amenity fees — not parking, camping or other expanded amenity fees — for participating agencies. Additionally, receipts from the sale of the Interagency America the Beautiful Passes are available to maintain, repair and enhance recreation facilities at the project they are purchased.

Participating agencies for the interagency pass are Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For information on the new fee structure, visitors should contact their local USACE recreation project. A directory of project offices is available at www.CorpsLakes.us.

USACE is the nation’s largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, managing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states and hosting more than 370 million visits per year.

With 90 percent of these recreation areas within 50 miles of metropolitan areas they provide a diverse range of outdoor activities close to home and to people of all ages.