The Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced it will reduce park operations and visitor services at Hartwell and Thurmond Lakes during the 2012 recreation season due to significant projected budget reductions. The Corps will reduce the "open season" at several campgrounds and day-use areas and partially close one area.

"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.

Broad River on Thurmond Lake closed on Labor Day and will be open Mar. 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 1through 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 Ferr y, 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 U.S. Army The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District has extended the deadline to receive applications to lease the 29-acre site formerly known as the Little River Marina and Family Resort in Appling, Ga., (Columbia County) on J. Strom Thurmond Lake.

The new deadline to submit application packages to the Savannah District Real Estate Division is 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Feb. 21, 2012. Applications not received by that date will be returned to the applicant as non-responsive to the Notice of Availability, which was released to the public on Jan. 3, 2012.

The time extension was the result of a Pre-Proposal Conference hosted by the Corps with interested bidders on Jan. 17 at the Thurmond Project Office. The meeting introduced a change to the minimum facility requirements, to include the addition of an above-ground fuel tank and fuel dock. The meeting also generated questions and answers from potential bidders for additional information. These items are available as part of "Addendum No. 1" on the Corps of Engineers Real Estate website at: http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/re/LittleRiverMarinalease.html

Interested individuals and organizations may view, download and print the Original Notice of Availability and the Addendum No. 1 on this website.

"The time extension will give interested parties additional time to formulate development plans and incorporate answers to the questions asked during the Pre-Proposal Conference," said Robert Jewell, Chief of the Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division. "Our goal is to ensure that marina facilities and services for the public remain compatible with the private sector capabilities."

The government reserves the sole and exclusive right to reject any applications and the right to not award a lease for the area.

For additional information regarding the leasing opportunity and time extension, please contact the Corps of Engineers Savannah District, Real Estate Division, Chief of the Management and Disposal Branch, at (912) 652-5554.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District will host three turkey hunts this spring in the Bussey Point Management Area at the J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Project.

The first two hunts are scheduled for April 6 and 7 and are open to any adult hunter with a valid Georgia hunting license. The following weekend, the Corps will host a youth hunt on April 14 for children ages 15 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is licensed according to Georgia hunting regulations. Accompanying adults will not be allowed to carry a weapon.

Each hunt will be limited to 10 hunters selected by a random drawing. Selected hunters may bring a guest to accompany them; however, guests will not be allowed to carry a weapon.

To enter the drawing, submit the following information via e-mail to kenneth.h.boyd@usace.army.mil
- Desired hunt date (April 6, 7, or youth hunt April 14)
- Hunter’s name (include child’s name for youth hunt and name of accompanying adult)
- Mailing address
- Daytime telephone number

Entries can also be sent via mail to: Attn: Ken Boyd, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, J. Strom Thurmond Project Office, 510 Clarks Hill Highway, Clarks Hill, SC 29821-9703.

Entries must be received at the Thurmond Project Office by 4:30 p.m. on March 15. Hunters will be notified of their selection by March 23, 2012

Needless drowning deaths of hunters who fall into lakes and streams can be prevented with a little preparation and fast thinking, according to officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District.

"Duck hunters or waterfowlers may not think of themselves as boaters, even though they use boats to position decoys in the water," said Park Ranger Asher Alexander. "They may not consider a life jacket as a necessity; but hunters drown needlessly every year."

Hunters should always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while traveling to and from the hunting blind, according to Alexander. Camouflage life jackets are available and offer adequate flotation.

"Likewise, fisherman should always wear a PFD while fishing from a dock or a boat," he said.

In a water emergency, hip boots or waders can keep a hunter afloat for hours if the hunter takes action quickly, Alexander explained. By keeping the knees bent in a seated position, the crease will trap air inside the waders to keep the person afloat for hours, allowing the person to propel backward to return to the boat. Additionally, floating duck decoys can be held while maintaining this position to increase buoyancy. (See Illustration) Waders, however, should never be considered a replacement for a personal floatation device, Alexander said. READ MORE...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District is accepting applications for the development of a marina on the 29-acre site formerly known as the Little River Marina and Family Resort in Appling, Ga., (Columbia County) on the J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Project.

Interested individuals and organizations may view, download and print the application announcement, requirements, and maps on the Savannah District’s Real Estate webpage at www.sas.usace.army.mil/re/re.html

The site will be leased on a competitive basis to the individual or organization presenting the best plan for development while meeting the required criteria. Applications will be evaluated by diversity of marina facilities and development plan, experience and background of the applicant, financial capability, and credit and background checks.

All applications must be received in the Savannah district office by 3 p.m. Eastern Time, Feb. 3. Any applications not received by this date will be returned to the applicant as non-responsive to the Notice of Availability.

READ MORE...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District reminds the public to always wear a life jacket when recreating in, on, or near the water, especially during the winter months when cooler water temperatures increase the risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Violent shivering develops, which can lead to confusion and a loss of body movement.

Hypothermia is a significant risk factor for injury or death while boating or fishing. Cold water accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia, since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Many suspected drowning victims actually die from cold exposure or hypothermia, according to information released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters and the U.S. Coast Guard. READ MORE...

The 2012 annual passes for day use lake areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are now available for purchase at the Thurmond visitor center. The annual pass costs $30. The new passes are valid 12 months from date of purchase and can be used at any Corps-managed day use area in the nation. Find a Corps recreation area at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

Corps day use areas typically include boat launch ramps, designated swimming beaches, and picnic areas. The annual day use pass does not affect campground use and fees. Annual passes sold in 2012 will have a “2013” expiration date sticker. Visitors should hang the pass from the vehicle’s rear view mirror so the expiration date on the decal will show. Open vehicles such as motorcycles or jeeps should display the decal directly on the rear view mirror, or some other easily visible location on the vehicle.

Alternative locations for purchasing passes in the J. Strom Thurmond Lake project area include Augusta Marine in Augusta, Sportsman’s Corner in North Augusta, Cliatt’s Crossing in Lincolnton, and West Marine in Martinez. For more information, contact the Thurmond visitor center at (800) 533-3478.

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