Land and Water Conservation Fund

Land and Water Conservation Fund is sponsored by Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. Local Government Grant Program Recreational Trails Program Oregon Heritage Grants Endangered Invertebrates Gr Category: Parks & Recreation.

Oregon Parks and Recreation : Land and Water Conservation Fund : Grants : State of Oregon Translate this site into other Languages tag, as divs are not allowed in 's --> Land and Water Conservation Fund The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a Federally funded grant program administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The program generally recieves approximately $4 million annually to award to qualified projects.

Since 1964, this national grant program has awarded over $80 million in grant funds for Oregon recreational areas and facilities. Eligible applicants include: Park and Recreation Districts Oregon State Agencies (Parks & Recreation Dept. , Dept.

of State Lands, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Dept. of Forestry). LWCF grants are available to either acquire land for public outdoor recreation or to develop basic outdoor recreation facilities.

Acquisition – Acquiring land and water for public access, including new area or additions to existing parks, forests, wildlife areas, beaches or similar. Development – Developing outdoor recreation activities and support facilities needed by the public for recreation activities, including providing basic facilities and improvement of basic facilities.

Projects must be consistent with the outdoor recreation goals and objectives stated in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and elements of your local comprehensive land use plans and park master plans. Projects must also comply with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. LWCF provides up to 50 percent project funding.

Eligible matches include local budged funds, donated funds, and the value of property, equipment, materials, and/or labor. Land previously acquired and work completed prior to project approval cannot be used as a match. Pre-agreement design and engineering costs may be eligible, but all other projects costs and match must occur within the project period.

Legal Protection for Grant Assisted Recreation Sites: Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act (now codified at 54 U.S.C. § 200305(f)(3)) contains strong provisions to protect Federal investments and the quality of assisted resources.

Any site that has been acquired, developed, or improved, no matter how small the improvement, with funds from the LWCF grant program, must be open to the public and maintained in perpetuity (forever) for public outdoor recreation. Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act SEC.

6(f)(3) No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses.

The Secretary shall approve such conversion only if he finds it to be in accord with the then existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan and only upon such conditions as he deems necessary to assure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.

Acceptance of an LWCF grant agreement with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department requires the recipient/project sponsor to assume the responsibility for compliance with LWCF Act, any and all program requirements, and applicable state and local laws. In signing the grant agreement with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the sponsor accepts the responsibility for compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.

Inspections are required on LWCF assisted areas to monitor the project sponsor’s compliance with program requirements. Project sponsors with recreation areas found in non-compliance will be notified in writing of the problems and given direction on remediation.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance program was established by the LWCF Act of 1965 (Section 6, Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended; Public Law 88-578; 16 U.S.C 4601-4 et seq.)

to stimulate a nationwide action program to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring to all citizens of the United States of present and future generations such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available and are necessary and desirable for individual active participation.

The LWCF State Assistance Program provides matching grants to States, and through the States to local governments, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The LWCF program was administered by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) from its beginning in 1965 to 1978 when the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS) was created.

HCRS then administered the program until 1981 when the LWCF was transferred to the Department of Interior, National Park Service. For additional information, visit the National Park Service website at: https://www. nps.

gov/subjects/lwcf/index. htm September 1, 2026: Grant cycle opens September 11, 2026: Online LWCF grant cycle webinar. Zoom registration link.

November 2, 2026: Grant applications due Early Spring 2027 (date TBD): The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) meets to rank and recommend grant applications. April 2027 (date TBD): The OPRD Commission votes whether to approve the LWCF Committee's funding recommendations at the Commission meeting. Dates may be subject to change.

Grant Program Guidance and Forms ​The Land and Water Conservation Fund Manual includes program policies, eligibility requirements, information about the application process, current scoring criteria, and grant management policies. Federal LWCF Financial Assistance Manual Workshops are offered for applicants to learn more about the grant program and application process.

Content includes an overview of program policies and application requirements. 2025 LWCF Grant Cycle Webinar Slides (PDF) 2025 LWCF Grant Cycle Webinar Recording OPRD utilizes an online grants application system . The application can be accessed online when the grant cycle is open.

Interested applicants must have an account on OPRD Grants to apply and if needed, can request an account at any time. Online Application Instructions : Refer to these instructions to navigate the application system on OPRD Grants Land and Water Conservation Fund Program LWCF Grant Program- Quick Facts Pre-Application Worksheets: Use the three worksheets below as a guide when preparing answers for the Online Application.

Your answers can then be cut and pasted from the Worksheet to the Application. Development/Rehabilitation project worksheet Acquisition and Development (Combination) project worksheet Acquisition-only project worksheet Land Use Compatibility Statement form A&R Form for New Applications - updated Aug.

2025 Sample Resolution Authorizing Application for a Grant State Natural Resource Agency contact list, instructions and forms- updated Aug. 25 2025 Application Maps Checklist - updated Aug. 2025 Federal LWCF Grant Manual Federal LWCF Financial Assistance Manual The following information is provided as a resource for land managers and LWCF applicants.

OPRD Accessibility Design Standards United States Access Board’s guidelines for trails United States Access Board’s guidelines for trailhead signs United States Access Board’s guidelines for boating facilities U.S. Forest Service’s Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails ADA Quick Reference Guide – General ADA Quick Reference Guide – Parking ADA Quick Reference Guide – Restrooms ADA Quick Reference Guide – Camping Grant Management & Reporting Requirements Refer to the current Oregon State LWCF Manual for comprehensive information about reporting requirements and state and federal laws that apply to the program.

Progress reports and reimbursement requests must be submitted on https://oprdgrants. org . Refer to the Online Grant Reimbursement and Reporting Instructions for detailed information.

OPRD Grants Online Instructional Videos: How to submit a progress report How to submit a reimbursement request Donated Materials and Supplies Record Volunteer or Donated Labor Timesheet Maps must be to scale, or show actual dimensions; show all existing facilities, easements, utilities, and new facilities proposed in application; should be color-coded for ease of understanding; will be reviewed by the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) prior to your schedule presentation.

The project boundary map must clearly delineate the park boundary, which is subject to the conversion provisions of Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act. No project may begin without authorization from OPRD through a signed State/Local Agreement. Projects that do not receive funding may be revised and submitted in another grant cycle.

Project areas and facilities must remain open for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. Areas and facilities funded with LWCF assistance in the past must be in compliance with the LWCF program guidelines. LWCF acknowledgement signs must be posted on the site.

LWCF acknowledgement signs are available upon request. Committee Roster and Application Information The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) is a nine-member committee appointed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director. The committee meets annually and at other times upon the call of the Director.

The committee members serve non-concurrent four-year terms and represent the following interests: Counties east of the Cascade Mountains; Counties west of the Cascade Mountains; Cities under 15,000 populations; Cities over 15,000 populations; Park and Recreation Districts, Metropolitan Service District or Port Districts Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Member of a historically underrepresented community; or Representatives from Tribal Governments Selection of committee members shall be from lists supplied by the Oregon Recreation and Park Association, Association of Oregon Counties, League of Oregon Cities, Special Districs Association of Oregon, and recommendations from the Director.

The Department may consult with other appropriate organizations not otherwise listed here for committee membership candidates. Interested in joining the OORC or want more information? Contact the LWCF Grant Coordinator.

​Refer to these lists for descriptions of recent projects funded by LWCF. Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program ORLP Information & Schedule ​In 2014, in coordination with Congress, the National Park Service (NPS) created the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, a competitive grant program administered under the authority of the LWCF Act.

NPS designed the ORLP with input from Congressional Committee staff, the States, and other interested parties. Congress codified ORLP through the EXPLORE Act in 2025. The NPS selects ORLP grants through a national competition following a solicitation and nomination process.

ORLP provides a competitive opportunity for qualifying entities to acquire land and water for outdoor recreation purposes, or to develop or renovate outdoor recreation facilities. Applications are currently being screened and accepted and will be due August 31 annually through 2030 .

If you are interested in applying to the ORLP Program, please reach out to Nohemi Enciso to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss your project proposal. Basic ORLP Grant Requirements Find additional requirements and information in the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Manual . • Population Eligibility - 25,000 or more, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian community organizations, are eligible regardless of population. • Matching Requirement - ORLP reimburses up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for finding other non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs.

• Perpetuity Requirement - ORLP projects must be maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. • Other Land & Water Conservation Fund Requirements – As an LWCF program, ORLP projects must align with the LWCF Act, LWCF Manual, and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Notice of Funding Opportunity: https://simpler.

grants. gov/opportunity/89d165d3-00db-4330-bc9a-8be4444f2633 Webinars hosted by the Trust for Public Land and City Parks Alliance: • Session 1 of 4: Unlock Federal Funding to Expand Outdoor Recreation Access: A Guide to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program.

Register Here for Webinar 1 on June 10 at 2pm ET • Session 2 of 4: Federal Funding for Tribal Lands: How to Apply to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. Register Here for Webinar 2 on June 24 at 2pm ET • Session 3 of 4: Before You Apply: Laying the Groundwork for ORLP Success. Register Here for Webinar 3 on July 8 at 2pm ET • Session 4 of 4: Step by Step: How to Write a Competitive ORLP Application.

Register Here for Webinar 4 on July 29 at 2pm ET The National Park Service will host a one-hour session each month through October 2026 to answer questions and provide general information about ORLP. Register to attend: https://www. nps.

gov/subjects/lwcf/orlp-technical-assistance. htm#Events • Updates to the ORLP Program for 2026 • Technical assistance for ORLP applications Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Coordinator 725 Summer St. NE Suite C Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Coordinator (compliance) 725 Summer St.

NE Suite C Potential Outdoor Recreation Funding Sources Potential Trail Funding Sources Interactive Map of Oregon LWCF Sites PlayCore LWCF Resource Hub USFWS IPaC Information for Planning and Consultation How to recognize an official Oregon website Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. Your browser is out-of-date! It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites.

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