LWCF State Assistance Formula Grants - Acquisition & Construction - FY24

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to advise States, local units of government, and Indian Tribes of the potential availability of funds in their State for grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to acquire and/or develop lands for public outdoor recreation purposes. The State and Local Assistance Program was created when the LWCF Act was enacted September 3, 1964. It helps fulfill the LWCF Acts purpose to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring accessibility to present and future generations of U.S. citizens and visitors such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available and are necessary and desirable for individual active participation in such recreation and to strengthen the health and vitality of the citizens of the United States. This is accomplished in part by authorizing and providing grants to States, and through States to local units of government and Indian tribes, for projects that acquire lands and waters for parks and other outdoor recreation spaces, as well as develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities. Outdoor recreation areas and facilities must be publicly owned as well as open to the general public and not limited to special groups.

The LWCF State and Local Assistance program is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with designated lead agencies in each of the 50 States plus American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each fiscal year Congress allocates money from the LWCF for this program, which is in turn allocated to the States based on a legislative formula. To be eligible for the funding, States must have a current State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) in place that assesses demand and need for outdoor recreation resources and sets priorities for the use of LWCF funds. The process for applying for a grant begins at the State or Territory level. Entities interested in applying for an LWCF grant must contact their State lead agency to find out details about the availability of funds, timing of grant process, State program priorities, funding criteria, etc.

The lead agency is responsible for soliciting project proposals from other State agencies, local units of government, and Indian Tribes and for conducting competitions to identify the projects that can best advance the goals or meet the needs identified in the States SCORP. The top ranked projects, within the funds available, are nominated to the NPS for consideration and final decision, as well as the actual award of a grant. Prospective applicants should be able to specifically describe how their project would address priority outdoor recreation needs and goals as identified in the States SCORP.