CHATSWORTH, Ga. — A new partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FIND Outdoors is set to expand recreation opportunities, improve visitor services, and establish a long-term investment strategy for Carters Lake, creating what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind partnership model for USACE.
Established March 17, 2026, through a Cooperative Management Agreement, the partnership combines the expertise and resources of USACE and FIND Outdoors, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing public access to outdoor recreation. The agreement is structured as a 10-year partnership with the potential for a five-year extension, reflecting a long-term commitment to maintaining and improving recreation opportunities at Carters Lake for years to come.
The partnership focuses on three goals: enhancing the visitor experience, reinvesting revenue into park operations, and establishing a long-term model for recreation management.
Enhancing the visitor experience
Beginning in 2027, visitors can expect longer operating seasons, additional educational programming, and increased on-site support across Carters Lake recreation areas.
“The partnership with FIND Outdoors is allowing us to extend our recreation seasons and offer a broader range of educational programs and events,” said Allen Earhart, Carters Lake Project manager. “This added capacity enhances how we serve the public and keeps our
parks active for longer periods throughout the year.”
The partnership will also provide increased staffing support for day-to-day operations, including maintenance, cleaning, and visitor assistance throughout recreation areas.
“Day-to-day operations will see improved support staff to assist with the cleanliness and overall appearance of each site,” said Jonathan Martin, FIND Outdoors Operations manager.
Officials say visitors will continue to receive the same high-quality recreation experience they expect at Carters Lake, while benefiting from additional opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with the outdoors.
“All changes associated with this partnership are focused on enhancing the visitor experience,” said Ashley McKittrick, Carters Lake Park Ranger. “This includes expanded opportunities for recreation and education, longer operating seasons, and an increase in interpretive programming and special events.”
McKittrick added that day-use fees will remain unchanged and annual USACE passes will continue to be honored throughout the partnership.
Reinvesting in what matters
A major component of the agreement ensures that recreation fees collected at Carters Lake are reinvested directly back into the parks where they are generated.
Under the partnership framework, revenue collected through recreation operations will support facility maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, repairs, and long-term park improvements.
This reinvestment model creates a more sustainable funding approach that allows improvements to grow alongside visitation and recreation demand.
“With this cooperative model, the funds will go directly back into these recreation sites,” Martin said. “Visitors will see this impact in the future with upgraded amenities and longer seasons.”
As visitation increases, additional revenue will support expanded services, maintenance, and future enhancements across Carters Lake recreation areas.
“Visitors now have more opportunities to enjoy the parks thanks to longer seasons, expanded programming, and improved amenities,” Earhart said. “In addition, park revenues are being reinvested directly back into the parks, which supports ongoing upgrades to campsites and facilities, improving the overall visitor experience.”
Building an enduring partnership
While FIND Outdoors will assist with recreation operations and visitor services, USACE will remain the federal land manager responsible for infrastructure, safety oversight, natural resource protection, and enforcement of federal regulations at Carters Lake.
According to Rocky Millenbine, Operations Chief at the Mobile District, partnerships like this are becoming increasingly important as recreation demands continue to grow across the Corps.
“With the rising cost of managing recreation areas, the Corps of Engineers has been forced to find new ways to complete the recreation mission and continue to provide the high level of recreational services that we have in the past,” Millenbine said.
Millenbine said cooperative management agreements have already proven successful within the Mobile District by allowing projects to work alongside municipalities that share the goal of providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Having the capability to share management with neighboring municipalities and nonprofit groups has been a game changer for the projects in Mobile District,” he said. “These agreements give us the ability to keep parks open and functioning for public usage while allowing funds generated within the parks to be reinvested directly back into park management.”
Earhart also noted that the long-term nature of the agreement will allow FIND Outdoors to gradually expand its operational role while helping USACE focus resources on other mission priorities across the project.
“As FIND becomes fully invested beyond the initial startup phase, they will take on a
significant portion of the maintenance workload, allowing USACE to shift resources to other
priority areas and make a broader impact across the project,” Earhart said.
For both organizations, the partnership represents more than operational support; it reflects a shared commitment to preserving public access to outdoor recreation while improving opportunities for future generations.