Policy updates expand opportunities for Tribes, underrepresented communities
The Department of the Interior announced the distribution of $295,582,830 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) today to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Recent changes to the LWCF Manual guide states to work more closely with Tribal Nations and clarify eligibility to ensure all federally recognized Tribes can take part in and support future public outdoor recreation and conservation projects. The funds from this year’s distribution will be available until fiscal year 2025.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund helps further President Biden’s commitment to investing in America’s lands and waters, expanding access to the outdoors, and safeguarding the environment,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “These grants, matched primarily by state and local governments, will inspire collaborative conservation and improves equitable access to the outdoors for all.”
Along with this year’s LWCF distribution, the National Park Service is releasing an update to the LWCF Manual that directs states to work more closely with Tribes and underserved communities during the development of their Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans, a requirement for eligibility to receive LWCF funds. It also prioritizes the creation of parks in underserved communities. While Tribes were already eligible to receive LWCF grants, the changes to the Manual are intended to clarify this availability and encourage Tribal governments to apply for these funds.
“All communities are deserving of local outdoor recreation,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the National Park Service is proud to help communities and local governments upgrade and create new outdoor spaces that are most beneficial and enriching to their community, so that everyone is able to take part in outdoor recreation close to home.”
Since its inception in 1965, LWCF has funded $5.2 billion to support more than 45,000 projects in every county in the country. At no cost to taxpayers, LWCF which is administered by the National Park Service,?supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters — including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas — and provides matching grants to Tribal, state and local governments to support the acquisition and development of land for public parks and other outdoor recreation sites.
The allocation for each state and territory is determined through a formula set in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and is largely population-based. States and territories further allocate these funds to local projects, usually through a competitive process. These investments help support the Biden-Harris administration’s?America the Beautiful?initiative by supporting locally led outdoor recreation and conservation projects to protect and enhance our nation’s public lands and waters.
Fiscal Year 2023 Total Apportionments by State/Territory?
Alabama
$4,399,127
Alaska
$2,462,608
Arizona
$6,112,986
Arkansas
$3,460,121
California
$24,881,884
Colorado
$5,279,892
Connecticut
$4,092,899
Delaware
$2,643,419
Florida
$14,323,172
Georgia
$7,566,788
Hawaii
$2,910,126
Idaho
$3,018,638
Illinois
$9,180,869
Indiana
$5,502,327
Iowa
$3,621,127
Kansas
$3,590,387
Kentucky
$4,177,359
Louisiana
$4,444,609
Maine
$2,645,689
Maryland
$5,492,978
Massachusetts
$6,091,269
Michigan
$7,223,879
Minnesota
$4,976,327
Mississippi
$3,347,769
Missouri
$5,152,442
Montana
$2,589,545
Nebraska
$3,103,404
Nevada
$3,897,814
New Hampshire
$2,741,235
New Jersey
$7,446,143
New Mexico
$3,193,100
New York
$13,292,350
North Carolina
$7,174,514
North Dakota
$2,474,380
Ohio
$8,207,072
Oklahoma
$4,004,248
Oregon
$4,359,338
Pennsylvania
$8,835,983
Rhode Island
$2,731,759
South Carolina
$4,614,625
South Dakota
$2,513,536
Tennessee
$5,452,119
Texas
$17,884,174
Utah
$3,947,327
Vermont
$2,356,092
Virginia
$6,551,890
Washington
$6,272,358
West Virginia
$2,850,529
Wisconsin
$4,976,969
Wyoming
$2,382,133
District of Columbia
$2,521,551
Puerto Rico
$3,978,055
Virgin Islands
$2,161,741
Guam
$2,197,229
American Samoa
$2,136,899
Northern Marianas
$2,136,027
Total
$295,582,830
About the U.S. Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.
About the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is America’s most important conservation program, responsible for protecting parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas at the federal, state and local level. For 55 years, it has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, recreational construction and activities and the continued historic preservation of our nation’s iconic landmarks from coast-to-coast. LWCF does not use any taxpayer dollars – it is funded using a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas royalty payments. Outdoor recreation, conservation and historic preservation activities contribute more than $778 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting 5.2 million jobs
