The land and water conservation fund (LWCF) state and local assistance program provides matching grants to develop parks owned by states and local communities

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources received a $7.2 million Project Grant from the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027. Through this Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program award, the department will make a subaward to the NC Division of State Parks to support developments and improvements at Lumber River State Park. The LWCF program, funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax dollars, provides matching grants to states and local communities for park development projects identified in their approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans.

The project will deliver enhanced outdoor recreation facilities and infrastructure improvements at Lumber River State Park that will benefit the general public by expanding recreational opportunities and improving public access to natural resources in North Carolina. These developments align with the state's outdoor recreation priorities and represent the state agency's commitment to preserving and promoting outdoor recreation amenities for community use.

Based on its outdoor recreation priorities, the state has selected grant projects to receive LWCF funding. LWCF grants are made pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 2003 and are funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenue, not tax dollars. In this project, the north carolina dept. Of natural and cultural resources will make a subaward to the NC department of cultural resources NC division of state parks for developments at lumber river state park. This project will benefit the general public.