Southeast Tourism Society and the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers Announce 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
For Immediate Release: STS and USACE announce continued collaboration with 2020 MOU
Roswell, Georgia – The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced a 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) renewal to advance mutually agreed upon programs and policies designed to better serve visitors to federal lands and residents of tribal, rural, and gateway communities. The 2020 MOU will allow for the continued contribution of sustainability efforts of local communities through protection and management of America’s cultural, historic, and natural resources.
As one of the leading federal providers of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation, USACE manages more than 400 lakes and river projects, 92,000 campsites and 7,800 miles of trails, which provide diverse and dynamic recreational opportunities to people of all ages. Because many of these recreation sites are within 50 miles of major metropolitan areas, they offer easy, affordable access to millions of people. It’s estimated that USACE hosts more than 260 million visits annually to its lands and waters, and its tourism element creates a natural fit for a partnership with STS.
“We appreciate the long-standing relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their ongoing commitment to promote outdoor recreation and sustainable travel and tourism on Federal Lands,” said Monica Smith, President and CEO of STS. “I look forward to working closely with the USACE to provide more resources and education on sustainable tourism in the Southeast region.”
Visitors can enjoy traditional activities like fishing, camping, hiking and boating as well as snorkeling, windsurfing, whitewater rafting and mountain biking. Recreation enhances people’s lives, and a visit to an USACE project can help strengthen family ties and friendships, create unforgettable memories, and connect children to nature that will last a lifetime.
USACE recreation areas are important to local economies in communities across the nation. More than 14 percent of all freshwater fishing in the U.S. takes place on USACE lakes and rivers. Visitors to USACE sites spend an estimated $12.7 billion annually on trip-related expenses such as gas, food, lodging and recreational equipment. This spending fuels about 210,000 full and part-time jobs in local communities.
The Southeastern U.S. is especially rich in recreational opportunities provided by USACE. From Virginia, to Florida, to Arkansas, USACE works with state and local tourism bureaus, Destination Marketing Organizations, and Chambers of Commerce to encourage use of its sun-drenched lakes, beaches, campgrounds and other areas that offer longer seasons typical of the sunbelt region of the U.S.
The agreement between STS and USACE is the continuation of a long-standing partnership between Southeast Tourism Society and the federal agencies with dedicated tourism programs. The first cooperative agreement was signed in February 2004 and renewed in 2009 and 2014. The overarching purpose of the partnership agreement was to establish a general framework for cooperation between tourism businesses and organizations in the Southeast and federal agencies with an interest in tourism
USACE collaborates with many partners to host numerous special events such as fishing tournaments, fishing rodeos, lake clean-ups, and National Pubic Land Days events, as well as providing educational and water safety programs. STS and USACE look forward to their continued collaborative efforts and aspire to continue facilitating cooperative projects on Federal lands and promoting recreation and sustainable tourism..
STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Roswell, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism to and within 14 states – Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information about STS, please visit southeasttourism.org.
