Lanier Parks Local Access Act

The Lanier Parks Local Access Act would modify how local governments can spend user fees collected at recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Currently, local partners are restricted to using collected fees only at the specific park where the money was collected. This bill would change that rule, allowing local governments to use fees across all recreation sites they manage within a single Corps project, such as Lake Lanier. This change would give local managers more flexibility to maintain and operate parks that do not charge entry fees but still require upkeep and staffing. The bill was introduced in response to recent staffing shortages at the Corps that forced temporary closures of parks and boat ramps. While named after Lake Lanier in Georgia, the legislation would apply to all Army Corps-managed recreation areas nationwide if enacted. The bill is currently under consideration in the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.