Land & Water Conservation Fund
LWCF 2007 Annual Report
National Recreation and Park Association
History of LWCF
LWCF Projects by County
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What is the Land & Water Conservation Fund?
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"Its design was so visionary, and it's impact so giant
and so ubiquitous, sometimes it's hard to see." That's
how NPS staffer Charlie Tracy describes the Land &
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program
established in 1965 that has funded over 40,000
outdoor recreation projects in 98% of the counties in
the U.S. Says Michael Wilson, the national manager of
the LWCF State Assistance Program, "You'd be hard
pressed to find a friend or family member who hasn't
enjoyed outdoor recreation in a LWCF-funded project,
though most of them may not have been aware of it."
LWCF has three characteristics that make it a
powerhouse program even after four decades and a
model for everything that followed. First, it's the
original conservation partnership, requiring at least a
50% state or local match for federal funds. That
means that the federal government's $3.7 billion has
been matched for a minimum of $7.4 billion in
recreation projects. Second, any state that wants to
participate is required to prepare a statewide
comprehensive outdoor recreation plan (SCORP),
keeping thoughtful planning on the frontburner. Finally,
any projects created with LWCF funds must remain
open for public recreation forever. Says
Tracy, "Partnership, planning and ongoing
stewardship: that's how LWCF has created the legacy
of our nation's basic outdoor recreation infrastructure,
so that over the years, these parks bring incredible
value to their communities as development occurs
around them."
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What is Eligible for LWCF Funding?
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LWCF funds can be used for land acquisition,
statewide recreation planning, and development of
virtually any project that provides outdoor recreation,
from the creation of state parks to pocket parks, from
ballfields and tennis courts to facilities for hunting,
fishing, and boating, and from visitor facilities and
restrooms to equestrian parks. LWCF won't, however,
fund spectator-oriented
projects, such as a big-league sports stadium, or
projects primarily geared to tourism.
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Recent Examples of LWCF Projects
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LWCF funds literally thousands of projects in smaller
recreation areas, but grants have also helped to
acquire and develop new parks of statewide or
national significance. In the Northeast region, that
includes projects such as the Allagash Wilderness
Waterway in Maine and Liberty State Park in New
Jersey. To view other projects in your area that have
received LWCF funding, click on the links at left.
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How Can Communities Access LWCF Funding?
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Each state receives LWCF funds from the federal
government, and they decide how they're going to
allocate them (whether smaller amounts to a lot of
communities, or a major infusion to a key project). The
agency distributing the funds varies by state, but it's
usually the office that oversees the state's parks. A link
to state contacts appears on the LWCF homepage.
Says
Mike Phillips of the National Recreation and Park
Association, "If you have a great project and the one
obstacle between you and serving your community
better is capital, then the federal government can
assist you through LWCF. It's almost like seed money
to match your share and help you fulfill this high level
vision."
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Let's Work Together
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If you're working on restoring a river, building a trail,
or making an urban park flourish, we'd love to talk
with you about ways we might be able to work
together. Please call or email your regional
representative today to determine if your project
is a good fit. Find more information and previous
newsletters here.
Apply for NPS assistance by August 1.
Could your project benefit from 1-2 years' staff time
and technical assistance from a National Park Service
specialist? We want to help you succeed.
Download a program application; the
deadline is August 1, 2008.
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