This program supports projects complementary to national park service program efforts in natural and cultural resource conservation, protection, and environmental sustainability

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $375,060 to the California Department of Conservation on July 30, 2025, under the National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education program (CFDA 15.954). The project will close abandoned mine features—including shafts, adits, and pits—within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California through December 31, 2027. These hazardous features, located near popular hiking trails and roads, pose significant safety risks to park staff and the public.

The primary deliverables include the elimination of public safety hazards through mine closure activities, protection of potential wildlife habitat, and preservation of cultural resources within the park. The CFDA 15.954 program supports such projects that complement NPS conservation and resource protection efforts beyond other specific funding mechanisms. The beneficiaries of this project include the general public, park staff, scientist researchers, and other institutional stakeholders engaged in natural and cultural resource conservation within the National Recreation Area.

This program funds projects that support the mission of the national park service, but are not covered under other specific programs. This project proposes to close abandoned mine features (shafts, adits and pits) within whiskeytown national recreation area that pose a significant safety hazard to the public and park staff. These features are near popular hiking trails and roads. By closing these mine features, the park will be: 1) eliminating safety hazards to park staff and the public 2) protecting potential wildlife habitat and 3) protecting cultural resources. Beneficiaries include private nonprofit institution organization, state, local, other public institution organization, profit organization, public nonprofit institution organization, federally recognized indian tribal governments, scientist researchers, engineer architect, anyone general public