Friends of Lake Ouachita (FOLO) a non-profit group has entered into a partnership agreement with the Corps of Engineers for joint operation and maintenance of all areas and facilities at Crystal Springs Recreation Area, with the exception of the swim beaches.

Through A recently approved national program known as the Cooperative Agreements which allows the Corps to partner with non-profit organizations to improve recreation areas through better use of fees collected from visitors. The agreement allows fees collected in the area to be returned directly to the area for future improvements, operations and maintenance.

All operations and services in the area will be the same as previous years. As before, visitors can contact a Park Ranger, fee collector, campground host, or the Lake Ouachita field office if they have a problem or need assistance.

The Operation and Maintenance Contractor (RBS) contracts directly with the Corps and the FOLO partnership has no impact on that contract.

Under the existing agreement, partnerships to operate additional areas may be considered by FOLO.

Recent Suggestions from the Lake Ouachita citizens focus committee meeting minutes of February 8,2012 were made that Friends Of Lake Ouachita establish a second checking account for the Crystal Springs Recreation Area operations. This would mean two separate financial reports would be provided each month. Jerry Shields provided the financial reports for December and January. Dave Doty related the problem with NRRS taking reservations prior to the January 1, 2012 start date had been resolved and NRRS would be wire-transferring $11,024.00 into Friends Of Lake Ouachita account for all reservations made until January 17, 2012.

The Core of Engineers Vicksburg District is partnering with the Friends of Lake Ouachita (FOLO) in daily operations of the Crystal Springs Recreation Area at Lake Ouachita.  Friends of Lake Ouachita is a Tax Exempt / non-profit organization affiliated with the Lake Ouachita Citizen’s Focus Committee.

The relationship between the Corps and the Focus Committee has been ongoing since 2002, and has grown into a full partnership dedicated to improvements at the lake.

Under the new program, FOLO will collect fees and utilize them directly at Crystal Springs Recreation Area for operations, maintenance, and enhancement of facilities.

The Agreement allows FOLO to utilize collected fees to conduct daily operations of the area.

The Corps will continue to provide visitor assistance, perform major maintenance, and oversee all operations.

To learn more about the Vicksburg District, visit  www.mvk.usace.army.mil or contact the Lake Ouachita Field Office for additional information regarding the volunteer program at 501-767-2101.

For interviews or more information on this or other Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers topics, contact Kavanaugh Breazeale, Public Affairs and Communications Office, 601-631-5052 or email @  kavanaugh.breazeale@usace.army.mil 

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Friends of Lake Ouachita, Inc. was incorporated as an Arkansas non-profit Corporation on August 18, 2005.
On June 14, 2007, it obtained recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization with an effective date of August 18, 2005.