SAVANNAH, Ga. - The 2012 annual passes for day use lake areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are now available for purchase at the Corps’ J. Strom Thurmond, Hartwell and Richard B. Russell visitor centers.

The annual pass costs $30. The new passes are valid 12 months from date of purchase and can be used at any Corps-managed day use area in the nation. Find a Corps recreation area at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

Passes can be purchased at the Corps’ Savannah River dam and lake projects at COE visitor centers including: Hartwell Lake Visitor Center, 5625 Anderson Highway, Hartwell, Ga.

Corps day use areas typically include boat launch ramps, designated swimming beaches, and picnic areas. The annual day use pass does not affect campground use and fees.

Annual passes sold in 2012 will have a "2013" expiration date sticker. Visitors should hang the pass from the vehicle’s rear view mirror so the expiration date on the decal will show. Open vehicles such as motorcycles or jeeps should display the decal directly on the rear view mirror, or some other easily visible location on the vehicle.

For more information, contact the Corps Visitor Center at either of these locations: J. Strom Thurmond Lake Project Office at (800) 533-3478; Hartwell Lake Project Office at (888) 893-0678; or Richard B. Russell Lake Project Office at (800) 944-7207.