Deadline: 2-Oct-21
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), State Parks Division is seeking proposals from entities interested in submitting an application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The National Park Service administers this federal grant program under the authority of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.
The purpose of this grant program is to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring accessibility to outdoor recreation resources and to strengthen the health and vitality of U.S. citizens. The LWCF program provides matching grants to States and through States to political subdivisions of the State and other appropriate public agencies, including recognized Indian tribes, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities.
Funding Information
New Mexico is allocating approximately $1.5 million for local assistance grants to support outdoor recreation and education, education, resource protection, and wetland acquisition across the state. There are two separate grant categories so that small communities with fewer grantwriting resources do not have to compete directly with the larger metropolitan areas. The Small Grant category comprises sponsors requesting $24,999 or less per grant application with a minimum grant request of $15,000 ($30,000 total project cost). The Large Grant category includes sponsors requesting $25,000 or more per grant application with a maximum request of $250,000 ($500,000 total project cost).
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects may include but are not limited to:
- acquisition of land to be used for outdoor recreation;
- development of sports and playfields such as playgrounds, ball fields, court facilities, and golf courses;
- hiking, biking, equestrian, and motorized trails;
- picnic area development;
- campground development;
- amphitheaters, band shells;
- outdoor water sports facilities including beaches and pools, and ice rinks;
- hunting or natural areas, wetlands;
- winter sports facilities such as skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling;
- fishing and boating facilities such as ramps and docks;
- development of support facilities including circulation roads, fencing, lighting, utility and sanitary systems, parking areas, restroom buildings, and landscaping for the project area; and
- extensive renovation of existing facilities when the facility is no longer useable due to age, but not due to lack of maintenance.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following are eligible to apply for project funding provided that all other eligibility requirements are met (e.g. possession of sufficient title and adequate legal control of land):
- state government agencies;
- local government agencies (municipal and county);
- tribal governments;
- public school districts;
- public community colleges and universities;
- soil and water conservation districts;
- land grants; and
- other political subdivisions.
- Applicants must initially demonstrate the following to be eligible to submit:
- need for the project based on New Mexico’s SCORP priorities for outdoor recreation;
- documentation of significant public involvement in the selection and planning of projects;
- adequate contract performance for past LWCF awards;
- possess sufficient title and adequate legal control of the property to be within the LWCF boundary area in order to provide reasonable assurances that a conversion pursuant to the LWCF Act will not occur without its knowledge, State review, and NPS decision; and
- evidence of the ability to supply the 50% match.
For more information, visit https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/the-land-water-conservation-fund/