The grant could provide up to $8,000,000.
The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program was established through enactment of the LWCF Act in 1964. It helps fulfill the LWCF Acts purpose of assisting 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 public outdoor recreation purposes, as well as develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities. Land acquisition and development grants may be in support of a wide range of outdoor recreation uses, such as community parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, campgrounds, trails, swimming pools, and sports fields; as well as for certain supporting infrastructure that supports use of these areas such as roads/parking, trailheads, and restrooms. Outdoor recreation areas and facilities must be publicly owned as well as open to the general public and not limited to special groups. 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's lead agency to find out details about the availability of funds, timing of grant process, State program priorities, funding criteria, etc. A list of agency contacts can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/contact-list.htm. The lead agency is responsible for soliciting project proposals from other State agencies, local units of government, and Indian Tribes and conducting competitions to identify the projects that can best advance the goals or meet the needs identified in the State's 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.
