Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Eligible Applicants

Additional Requirements

Applicants must own or have a long-term lease (minimum of 25 years) on the project site. The requirement for delineation of overhead utility lines on the site plan is the result of a National Park Service policy. The Service states in the Grants Manual that “overhead utility lines constitute a major detraction from the natural quality of many outdoor recreation areas and must be eliminated where possible. The sponsor will, therefore, be expected to: 1) take all reasonable steps to insure the burial, screening, or relocation of existing overhead lines at development or acquisition projects where such lines visibly intrude upon the site’s character, and 2) insure that all new electric wires under 15KV, and telephone wires be placed underground. In no case shall mass recreation use areas (swimming, picnicking, etc.) be located under electric wires.” The state, in complying with this policy, must establish where all lines within the park are located and clarify the status of these lines. Not all lines must come down as a result of this policy, but any lines that remain must be justified. In submission of the pre-application, the applicant must show overhead utility lines that are existing within the park. Secondly, the application must indicate any utility lines that will be buried, screened, or relocated. Grant monies may be used for this purpose and should be included in the cost estimate. Finally, the sponsor must justify any overhead lines that will remain. If there is some doubt as to the disposition of lines, staff will make a determination through discussions with the National Park Service and/or information found through an on site inspection.Additional Requirements: You must submit to the State Clearinghouse for the Intergovernmental Review Process or request an update on previous comments to be eligible for funding. All recreational facilities that have received LWCF assistance must stay outdoor recreational for perpetuity. The land must be owned or be able to obtain a long term lease from a Public Agency. The Public Agency will have to agree in writing to keeping the land recreational in perpetuity if the lease expires.

Geographic Eligibility

All