Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is sponsored by National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior. The LWCF provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities, which can include parks and athletic fields. These funds support projects that improve outdoor access and enhance quality of life.

Required Documents - Land and Water Conservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) Skip to global NPS navigation Skip to the footer section Looking for a PDF Manual? The following documents are typically required for common LWCF grant actions submitted to the National Park Service. Requirements vary by program type.

For the State Assistance program (formula grants), applications are submitted through each state or territory's LWCF state liaison agency, which establishes its own requirements and application process for subrecipients. For competitive grant programs, eligibility and requirements are determined by the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO); applicants should refer to the relevant NOFO for guidance.

The LWCF Program may request additional documentation at any point to ensure grant actions meet federal requirements. Documents Submitted Once Annually (State Assistance Program Only) The following documents are typically submitted once annually following an established SOP. The NPS may, however, ask for additional information related to lobbying activities.

Refer to internal NPS systems for application forms and more information. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or Proposal - when applicable Certification Regarding Lobbying. If lobbying occurs, complete SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities available at grants.

gov SF-424B (Non-Construction) and SF-424D (Construction) available at grants. gov For a new Planning or Admin Grant Planning grants support the development of a state's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Admin grants support and build state capacity to implement the LWCF Program.

Refer to LWCF Manual Chapter 2(C)(11) for more information about developing planning grant applications. Project Narrative - outline the scope of work, anticipated benchmarks, and planned results/outcomes of the project. For a new Development, Acquisition, or Combination Grant Development grants involve development of recreation or support facilities.

Acquisition grants are for the acquisition of land or water. Combination grants involve both development and acquisition. Description and Notification Form Application & Revision Form National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Documentation Please work with the NPS to determine what documents are sufficient to complete NHPA consultation.

These often include SHPO Correspondence, Cultural Resource Surveys, APE Description, etc. National Environmental Preservation Act (NEPA) Documentation Please work with the NPS to determine what documents are sufficient to complete the NEPA process.

These often include state/local environmental review documents, threatened & endangered species report, federal permits, etc. For Development and Combination grants: Site Development Plan To modify an exisiting grant Required documents vary by the type(s) of modification requested. For modifications with more than one type, such as a budget revision and change in scope, all items from both lists are required.

All federal financial reports and performance progress reports must be up-to-date in Grant Solutions prior to approval of a modification. Extend a grant's period of performance Note: Per 2 CFR 200. 308, extensions must be requested at least ten days prior to the end of a grant's period of performance.

Request letter or email. This request should include a justification for the extension, a projected timetable to complete the project, and the proposed period of performance end date. Request letter or email.

This request should include a justification for the additional funds. For Planning and Admin grants : SF-424A For Development, Acquisition, and Combination grants : SF-424C Request letter or email. This request should include a justification for the modification.

For Planning and Admin grants : SF-424A For Development, Acquisition, and Combination grants : SF-424C Request letter or email. This request should include a justification for the change and a description of what specific elements are being added to, changed, or removed from the scope of work.

Change the Area of Potential Effects or Increase Ground Disturbance Note: this modification is required for changes to the project boundary, increased ground disturbance, or any other changes to the grant that may have additional impacts to natural or historic resources. Request letter or email. This request should include a justification for the additional ground disturbance.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Documentation National Environmental Preservation Act (NEPA) Documentation Federal Financial Reports (submitted in Grant Solutions) Performance Progress Reports (submitted in Grant Solutions) Complete final withdrawal in ASAP Final boundary map, for some projects (contact your Program Officer for details) SF-428 (for project involving equipment purchases) SF-429 (for projects involving land acquisition) Any other documents required by the Grant Agreement The sections above reflect document requirements established by DOI/NPS Financial Assistance and the LWCF Program.

At its discretion, the LWCF Program may allow certain documents to be submitted after award. The grant agreement will require those documents to be submitted prior to closeout. Competitive grants may have additional application requirements.

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for details. Last updated: June 10, 2026