Update: Corp of Engineers clarifies park closures

By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers said Thursday that 11 Lake Lanier boat ramps and their parks are closed, revising a number released Wednesday. 

The 11 ramps are Burton Mill, Old Federal Day Use, Keith’s Bridge, Robinson, Little Hall, Two Mill, Little River, Van Pugh North, Van Pugh South, Long Hollow and Mountain View. Twenty-one areas managed by the Corps of Engineers are open. 

The Corps of Engineers has closed several recreational areas across the country. A map on its website shows visitors what is open and closed. 

The announced closures set off a debate between Georgia lawmakers. 

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, R-Ga., blamed the staffing shortages on President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency.

“Trump and Elon’s DOGE cuts are forcing Georgia parks to indefinitely close right before a holiday weekend,” Warnock said in a post on X. “Enough is enough with these reckless cuts. Georgia families deserve better.”

State Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, said Warnock was wrong.

“When @RichforGA (U.S. Rep. Rick McCormick) and I spoke with the Corps today, they said ‘this is not about money,’” Dolezal said on X. “Warnock might know this if he bothered to put down the keyboard, pick up the phone, and advocate for his constituents like we did.”

Dustin Gautney, chief of public affairs for the Corps of Engineers Mobile District said in an email to The Center Square: “It is true that the staffing shortage is due to the Department of Defense hiring freeze along with a series of deferred resignations this is a manning issue and not a budget issue. Normally we are able to ‘flex’ our manning with temporary hires during the summer. We are hoping we will be able to bring in more summer positions soon and open even more parks for the public to enjoy.”

The Corps of Engineers manages 400 lake and river projects in 43 states, according to its website.