The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program was established by Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage while providing recreational opportunities to the public. The program is funded by earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing and is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Parks Service (NPS). It is divided into two components: the "State Side" for state and local governments and the "Federal Side" for land acquisition supporting federal land management agency goals.
At the state level, the LWCF program is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Florida DEP oversees the disbursement of grants for the acquisition or development of public outdoor recreation areas. Eligible applicants include county governments, incorporated municipalities, and other legally constituted local government entities in Florida with legal responsibility for providing outdoor recreational sites and facilities to the public.
The program offers grants on a 50:50 matching basis, meaning applicants must contribute half of the total project cost. The maximum grant request is $1.5 million for both development and acquisition projects, though final awards may be adjusted based on federal appropriations and program fund availability. Applicants must submit their proposals using the DRP-121 application form and related documentation via postal mail.
For the FY2024-2025 cycle, an application webinar was held on September 19, 2024, and the submission window spanned from October 1 to October 31, 2024. Application materials include instructions, forms such as NPS Form 10-904, Project Abstract Summary, SF-424A and SF-424C, and reference documents like the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
Applications are evaluated based on the relevance to program goals, availability of matching funds, and the capacity of the applicant to complete the proposed project. Further guidance is provided in Administrative Rule 62D-5 and the LWCF Manual.
For assistance, applicants can contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at Public.Services@FloridaDEP.gov or call 850-245-2118. The department’s headquarters is located at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000.
