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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement in response to a recent announcement that Hall County Parks & Leisure will assume the management of 11 additional recreation sites along Lake Lanier through a new partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE):
"I'm thrilled to see my successful legislative effort in action for the Ninth District," said Clyde. "Last year, I offered a simple yet effective solution to help keep Lake Lanier parks open for residents and visitors alike. Due to my hard-fought efforts, this measure was signed into law by President Trump through the appropriations process - delivering a critical win for our beloved Lake Lanier and surrounding communities. I applaud Hall County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' partnership, and I look forward to these additional recreation sites remaining open, safe, and well-maintained for years to come."
On January 23rd, President Donald J. Trump signed H.R. 6938, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, into law. The spending package included Congressman Clyde's legislation to protect and improve Lake Lanier's recreation sites.
Due to Rep. Clyde's hard-fought efforts, the FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill included a provision (Sec. 109) that allows local partners that manage multiple recreation sites at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works project to spend collected user fees across all sites they oversee at that project, rather than being limited to using the fees only at the specific site where the funds were collected.
The measure mirrors Rep. Clyde's Lanier Parks Local Access Act, which aims to incentivize local governments to manage recreation sites on civil works projects like Lake Lanier.
Background
Last year - just days ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, the USACE Mobile District, which oversees Lake Lanier, announced the temporary closure of 11 Corps managed recreation sites due to staffing shortages.
Weeks later, Rep. Clyde introduced the Lanier Parks Local Access Act to help keep Lake Lanier's parks and boat ramps open by incentivizing local governments to manage more sites.
Less than one year later, Rep. Clyde's measure was signed into law by President Trump through the FY26 appropriations process and utilized by Hall County to manage 11 additional sites on Lake Lanier, including seven that were temporarily closed ahead of Memorial Day last year.
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