Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Program

Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Program is sponsored by Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Funds projects that acquire, develop, and renovate firearm ranges and archery training and practice facilities in Washington State.

RCO - Washington Recreation & Conservation Office --> Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Program - RCO Firearms and Archery Range Recreation Program The program funds projects that acquire, develop, and renovate firearm ranges and archery training and practice facilities.

It was created by the Legislature in 1990 after a report assessing the needs of law enforcement, sports groups, and the public identified a need for a program and funding to support shooting facilities. Grant Application Schedule Application Webinar, Applications Open Technical Completion Deadline Board Approves Preliminary Ranked Lists Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Applicant Authorization Resolution Certification of Applicant Match Form Department of Natural Resources Scope of Work Acknowledgement Form Electronic Signature Authorization Form Public Hearing and Meeting Form Project Design Self-Certification Completed Project Self-Certification Manual 3: Acquisition Projects Manual 4: Development Projects Application Maps and Visuals for Acquisition Projects Application Maps and Visuals for Combination Projects Application Maps and Visuals for Development Projects 2026 FARR Application Webinar Slides Tips for Developing a PowerPoint Presentation for Grant Applicants New for 2026: The manual for this year’s grant round will be published in August.

But until then, here’s a sneak peek at upcoming changes: View recorded FARR Application Webinar! Acquisition of land currently or previously managed by a public entity is eligible. Sponsors have eighteen months from the board funding meeting to acquire land in a combination project.

Earnest or option payments incurred before the execution of a grant agreement are an eligible pre-agreement cost if they are applied to the purchase price of the land acquired.

Installing fences, berms, and other noise and safety elements Upgrading firearms and archery equipment Building new shooting courses Nonprofit shooting organizations Park and recreation districts Some special purpose districts, such as port and public utility districts, are eligible if legally authorized to acquire and develop public open space, habitat, or recreation facilities.

Grant applicants must be authorized legally to develop, operate, and maintain recreational facilities. Funding is awarded every two years and comes from a portion of each concealed pistol license fee. 50 percent match is required for all projects, except noise abatement or safety improvement at existing ranges, which have a 33 percent match.

At least 10 percent of the total project cost must come from a non-state, non-federal contribution. Match may include the following: Donations of cash, land, labor, equipment, and materials Applicant’s labor, equipment, and materials Acquisition: Buying real property in fee title (free and clear of underlying liens) or lesser interests, such as significant leases (at least ten years), and easements.

Development or renovation of firearms and archery range facilities, including fixed structures related to range use and management, safety, environmental, accessibility, and noise abatement.

The following elements are eligible: Classrooms and storage rooms Closed circuit security cameras Site preparation, landscaping Target holders, bullet traps At all firearms and archery range funded sites, the range must be open for general public use eight or more hours a month. Noise and safety abatement projects and projects that directly benefit shooting activities must be built to contain all projectiles to the applicant’s property.

Range designs must meet guidance published by either the National Rifle Association, National Field Archery Association, or Archery Trade Association. Projects must be evaluated by a certified adviser from one of the associations identified above, by a professional engineer, or by some other qualified professional consultant with experience and expertise in the evaluation and design of ranges and course as condition of funding.

Involve only planning, design, operation, or maintenance of range facilities On property bought under a conditional sales contract, unless the grant applicant has title to the property With deed provisions that have a significant negative impact on public recreational use of the property That unfairly discriminate among users With areas or facilities that have exclusive lease privileges Involve liability insurance only Projects not complying with RCO safety policy Grant recipients must provide the facilities paid for by grants for ten years from the date of RCO’s last payment to the grant applicant.

If grants are used to acquire property, obligations are forever. Some upcoming grant application deadlines may be adjusted due to the government shutdown. Find deadline updates on the corresponding grant pages.

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