Latest news with #StephenL.Hill
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USACE launches new website after closing dozens of recreation areas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) launched its Recreation Operational Status website to keep the public informed about the operational status of USACE recreation areas nationwide. This comes after the USACE announced in April that dozens of campsites across the Midwest would close on May 15. Campgrounds and visitor centers at federal lakes are closing amid Trump's budget cuts You can visit the website and click on any state for the current overall status of a recreation area – and for the status of campgrounds, boat ramps and beaches owned and operated by the USACE within the area. You can visit the new website by clicking here. 'The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages staffing for our recreation mission to ensure we meet the needs of nearly 2,600 recreation areas across 400 lakes and waterways,' said Stephen L. Hill, USACE director of Operations and Regulatory Programs. 'Public safety and service quality continue to be our highest priorities. As we manage available resources, some sites may experience reduced operations or temporary closures. These difficult decisions are based on our ability to ensure visitors have a safe and consistent experience. 'These decisions are not made lightly because we understand the importance of USACE recreation areas to the public and their vacation plans, especially during the summer season.' Campsites, recreation areas across Kansas and Missouri to close in May, Army says The new website shows the status of recreation areas and associated campgrounds, boat ramps and beaches as either fully operational, partially open or closed. The USACE said the website will be regularly updated with any status changes. USACE districts are maximizing available staff resources to keep recreation sites at least partially open and to ensure that the full closure of any site is a last resort, the USACE said. Visitors are encouraged to check the current operational status of USACE recreation areas for any restrictions or safety alerts prior to visiting. The website does not include information about the status of state-, local- or vendor-operated parks, campgrounds, marinas or other facilities located on USACE project lands. The public will need to contact those facilities for information regarding their operating status. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Check camping options on USACE lands with this new website
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is rolling out a new online resource to keep people updated on camping and recreational options amid a federal hiring freeze. The USACE announced in a press release on May 23 that it has created a Recreation Operational Status website to help keep people informed about changing recreational options at the reservoirs it manages. People can use the website to check in on the status of camping and other related recreational opportunities at lakes nationwide. 'The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages staffing for our Recreation mission to ensure we meet the needs of nearly 2,600 recreation areas across 400 lakes and waterways,' said Stephen L. Hill, USACE director of Operations and Regulatory Programs. 'In response to current staffing levels, we have launched the Recreation Operational Status webpage to provide the public with the most current information available about the operational status of recreation areas before visiting.' Exotic pet fish are turning up in Kansas lakes, where do they come from? The USACE reported earlier this year that recreational opportunities may be limited this year due to a federal hiring freeze, which has resulted in seasonal staffing shortages across the country. This forced the agency to close camping areas at various reservoirs across states like Kansas ahead of the summer season. 'Public safety and service quality continue to be our highest priorities,' Hill said. 'As we manage available resources, some sites may experience reduced operations or temporary closures. These difficult decisions are based on our ability to ensure visitors have a safe and consistent experience.' People can use the Recreation Operational Status website to check on the condition of campgrounds, boat ramps and beaches, which may be displayed as open, partially open or closed. The website shouldn't be used to check for information about state, local or vendor-managed parks, campgrounds, marinas or related facilities on USACE project lands. You can find the website by clicking here. For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
