Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Competitive Grant is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service (NPS). The program is federally funded under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, originally authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. Its purpose is to support the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of public outdoor recreational areas and facilities throughout Maryland. The LWCF program operates as a 50/50 matching reimbursement grant and is intended to preserve the legacy of outdoor public recreation nationwide, leveraging non-federal funds to extend its impact. The program invites eligible government entities—including state agencies, municipalities, counties, and federally recognized tribes—to submit project proposals that align with Maryland’s Land Preservation and Recreation Plan. Eligible projects fall into two categories: acquisition and development/rehabilitation. Acquisition projects include land purchases for public recreational use, expansion of existing sites, or establishing new recreation areas. Development or rehabilitation projects encompass the creation or enhancement of outdoor facilities such as trails, picnic areas, comfort stations, sports fields, and nature observation points. The program excludes non-outdoor facilities, historic preservation, and administrative expenses. To be eligible, applicants must submit preliminary applications by June 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Projects selected during this phase are then invited to proceed to full application submission for federal review. Applications must comply with a variety of federal and state laws including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, public engagement and comment are required for all proposed projects, and accessibility standards must be fully met. A maximum grant request of $3,000,000 (for a $6,000,000 project) and a minimum of $50,000 (for a $100,000 project) apply. Matching funds must be non-federal unless specific exceptions are met, such as the use of Recreational Trails Funds or Community Development Block Grants. Funds are disbursed as reimbursements after project completion and successful review by both Maryland DNR and the NPS. All expenses must occur within the three-year project window, with potential extensions allowed under specific circumstances. The application process involves multiple steps, including a preliminary application submission to DNR, evaluation under Maryland's Open Project Selection Process (OPSP), and if selected, a federal application via NPS. A site visit and environmental review will also be conducted prior to final award. Compliance requirements include maintaining the project area for public recreational use in perpetuity, displaying LWCF signage, and submitting quarterly reports. All questions about the LWCF Competitive Grant may be directed to Molly Pickel at [email protected] or 443-223-4302. Full program details, application materials, and evaluation criteria are available in the LWCF Grant Manual and on the official Maryland DNR website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the informational webinar and to schedule optional one-on-one sessions during the pre-deadline window in May.

Maintain perpetual recreational use compliance; ensure ADA access; prepare documentation in alignment with LWCF Manual.