Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance (SLA) Program is a federally funded initiative operated by the National Park Service in partnership with designated state agencies, in this case, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The program provides matching reimbursement grants designed to support the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities. One of its defining features is the requirement that all funded sites remain permanently available to the public for outdoor recreation, with conversions to other uses permitted only under strict conditions and with equivalent replacement approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The LWCF-SLA program in Virginia uses a competitive application process governed by the state’s Open Project Selection Process (OPSP). Funding is apportioned annually to states by the federal government, and DCR submits selected project proposals to the National Park Service for final authorization. Eligible applicants include municipalities, state agencies, federally or state-recognized tribes, and regional park authorities. Non-profit organizations and private entities are not eligible to apply. Projects may focus on land acquisition, development, or a combination of both, with each category subject to specific requirements. Typical award amounts range from $125,000 to $2 million. To qualify, all projects must be conducted on publicly owned land or land that will become publicly owned, and they must align with the state’s outdoor recreation priorities as detailed in the Virginia Outdoors Plan. LWCF projects require a one-to-one funding match, which may come from state, local, or private non-federal sources. The program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning grantees must initially cover project costs and then receive reimbursement for eligible expenditures. All funded properties are permanently protected with deed restrictions, and the program enforces long-term stewardship and maintenance obligations. The 2025 application cycle opens June 2, 2025, with a required application deadline of 4:00 PM on August 28, 2025. A pre-application webinar will be held in mid-June. After initial application review, scoring, and site inspections, selected projects must complete environmental reviews and secure additional documentation before the final submission to the National Park Service. Official project awards are anticipated in spring 2026, with a three-year project period expected to run from approximately April 2026 to March 2029. Applications must include several key documents: a DCR Application Form, NPS Application & Revision Form, maps, site plans, budget narrative and worksheet, project timeline, proof of ownership or willingness to sell documentation, and various environmental review confirmations. Optional but highly recommended items, particularly for acquisition projects, include appraisals and appraiser reviews, as well as final environmental documentation. Applications are to be submitted electronically, and late submissions will not be accepted. Evaluation of proposals is conducted by a state panel based on the 2025 LWCF Scoring Criteria, with higher-scoring, more “ready” projects prioritized. Questions and technical assistance can be directed to DCR staff, including Tarik Mansouri for application materials and Kristal McKelvey for eligibility and program requirements. Detailed contact information is provided in the manual to ensure applicants can access the necessary support.

Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the National Park Service LWCF State and Local Assistance Program Manual (Version 72.1 effective April 2025) for comprehensive guidelines on eligibility and proposal development.