Army Corps Campgrounds and the budget

Mark and Linda wrote:
Just wondering if anyone might have any idea on how the Federal Budget affects the campgrounds and their maintenance. Love the campgrounds **Army Corps**

At the lake where we live (West Point Lake, LaGrange, GA), only 4 of the Army Corps campgrounds are open; the rest are closed due to "budget constraints." It's really sad--seeing these facilities decaying because there's no money to maintain them and keep them open.
@rant_on: And that really annoys me. One of the few things that the government does that actually benefits citizens, besides national defense, is manage public lands. Other than that, it seems like they mostly just push money around from one person to another. But at budget time, the good things seem to get whacked for the benefit of less worthy expenditures. Ugh. OK -- I feel better now. @rant_off.
I would be curious to know how much of the recreation fees that the Corps collects actually go back to the facilities. And I definitely will start making better use of the donation boxes!

fla-gypsy wrote:
Dewey, really? You think the Federal govt follows the law to the letter? Or that someone is really checking?

I can't vouch for any other program managers, I can only speak for myself. I kept track of these funds VERY closely and made sure that our forest got exactly the Rec. Enhancement Funds to which we were entitled. The good thing is that unlike appropriated funds (which must be spent within the fiscal year) the Rec. Enhancement Funds can be carried over from one year to the next. So if something couldn't be done in one fiscal year, the money didn't disappear at the end of the year (go back to the general fund), it stayed in that Forest's account and could be used the next year. Having flexibility in a budget is a real plus when trying to manage a program.

Johno02 wrote:
Dewey02Thanks for that information, especially for those who only know what we are told by others. What I have stated is only what we heard from rangers and such at sites where we have done volunteer work. COE and NPS. But please do encourage others to be generous to the donation boxes at various sites whenever possible. As more of the Parks and Campgrounds are depending on volunteer rather than paid workers, local donations help with the uniforms and equipment needed by the volunteers to do their jobs, and to lots of other local necessities that are not included in the budgets.

Thanks again

Absolutely. My comments were to correct the mis-information about where the fees go. I am fully in support of people being generous at donation boxes, if they so choose. That money certainly does help, especially with helping volunteers. And thank you for your service!

Dewey02Thanks for that information, especially for those who only know what we are told by others. What I have stated is only what we heard from rangers and such at sites where we have done volunteer work. COE and NPS. But please do encourage others to be generous to the donation boxes at various sites whenever possible. As more of the Parks and Campgrounds are depending on volunteer rather than paid workers, local donations help with the uniforms and equipment needed by the volunteers to do their jobs, and to lots of other local necessities that are not included in the budgets.

Thanks again

Some good points mentioned here....I always notice what campgrounds need a little improvement and which ones really look good. I worked for the federal government so I know how the funds are handled in some cases.

Dewey, really? You think the Federal govt follows the law to the letter? Or that someone is really checking?

dewey02: Thanks I was trying to find that information.
I knew that all the dollars did not go to the general fund as in the case of most states.

n7bsn wrote:

Same is true of FS, PS and BLM, their income goes to the general fund, not back into their coffers.

I don't know WHY this keeps getting repeated. It is not correct. Since about 2005, the Recreation Enhancement Act has allowed USFS, NPS, and BLM to keep 80% of funds collected at recreation sites to be used on those sites for maintenance, improvement, etc. The other 20% also stays in the recreation budget, but allows some work to be done at sites not currently under the act (sites that may not charge a fee). And for almost 10 years before that (since 1996) the Recreation Fee Demo program was in effect, that was a precursor to the Rec. Enhancement Act, to see how well the program would work at several test forests and parks.

So for 10 years, and in some cases, for almost 20 years, BLM, USFS, and NPS agencies have been able to keep their recreation fees to use for recreation purposes. If I recall correctly, the COE was not specifically mentioned in the Rec. Enhancement Act, and so their funds collected may well go back into the regular coffers, but I'm not sure.

As a USFS Recreation Program Manager (now retired), I have worked with and administered Recreation budgets for many years. Here is what the Rec. Enhancement Act states:



(1) LOCAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.--


(A) RETENTION OF REVENUES.--Not less than 80 percent of the recreation fees and site-specific agency pass revenues collected at a specific unit or area of a Federal land management agency shall remain available for expenditure, without further appropriation, until expended at that unit or area.

(B) REDUCTION.--The Secretary may reduce the percentage allocation otherwise applicable under subparagraph (A) to a unit or area of a Federal land management agency, but not below 60 percent, for a fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the revenues collected at the unit or area exceed the reasonable needs of the unit or area for which expenditures may be made for that fiscal year.

(2) AGENCY-WIDE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.--The balance of the recreation fees and site-specific agency pass revenues collected at a specific unit or area of a Federal land management and not distributed in accordance with paragraph (1) shall remain available to that Federal land management agency for expenditure on an agency-wide basis, without further appropriation, until expended.

(3) OTHER AMOUNTS.--Other amounts collected at other locations, including recreation fees collected by other entities or for a reservation service, shall remain available, without further appropriation, until expended in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary.


It really bothers me when some people post information that is wildly outdated.

Johno02 wrote:
Remember that all fees and moneys received from COE campgrounds and facilities does NOT go into the budget for the sites earning the money. It all goes into the federal budget, and then is allocated by politicians as they see fit. Usually to their own pet projects, NOT back to the source of the income. The only funds that go directly to the park or facility are those donations directly to the park or facility. So rather than spend lots of money on political donations, contribute to your individual park or facility, at the donation box there. Much better and effective use of your funds.

Same is true of FS, PS and BLM, their income goes to the general fund, not back into their coffers.

Johno02 wrote:
Remember that all fees and moneys received from COE campgrounds and facilities does NOT go into the budget for the sites earning the money. It all goes into the federal budget, and then is allocated by politicians as they see fit. Usually to their own pet projects, NOT back to the source of the income. The only funds that go directly to the park or facility are those donations directly to the park or facility. So rather than spend lots of money on political donations, contribute to your individual park or facility, at the donation box there. Much better and effective use of your funds.

Good Point. That way the money goes where you want it to go and is not eaten up by "administrative" fees as some charities do.