Stateside LWCF Benefits Touted by NPS
Note bolded below major benefits and themes that NASORLO has been promoting for years.
More than 50% match; Use to rennovate to meet newer health, safety and federal/state standards; provide recreation where the people are.. close to home.
NPS needs to document and provide impact to economy.. more jobs created by state grants… construction, design… ed. comments
U. S. Department of the Interior
Date: March 30 2012
Contact: Adam Fetcher (DOI) 202-208-6416
David Barna (NPS) 202-208-6843
State Land and Water Conservation Fund Creates or Enhances Nearly 200 Parks
across Country in 2011, New Report Shows
$33.3 million derived from oil and gas leases revenue helps states
permanently protect 33,000 acres of parkland
WASHINGTON — Revenue from leases for offshore oil and gas development in
federal waters helped states build or improve 198 parks across the country
in 2011, ranging from establishing a new park on Texas’ most pristine
river, to protecting and providing public access to prehistoric petroglyphs
in Wyoming to building a new wheelchair-accessible playground in Indiana,
according to a new report issued by the Interior Department’s National Park
Service.
Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance
Program, the Park Service awarded $33.3 million in grants to states to help
communities invest in new parks or renovate or expand existing parks.
States, local communities, and other partners exceeded the required
dollar-for-dollar match by providing $43.9 million to complete the
projects.
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund today is helping us meet the goals of
President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to foster a 21st
century vision for conservation and outdoor recreation,” Secretary of the
Interior Ken Salazar said. “We are working in partnership with communities
across America to use the revenues from the energy resources we take out of
the ground to build a lasting legacy of parks, trails and open spaces.”
“The Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program
powers a federal-state partnership that benefits communities and
strengthens our economy,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B.
Jarvis. “Thanks to these grants, we are connecting Americans with the great
outdoors by providing quality recreational opportunities that are close to
home, open to the public, and accessible to all.”
Through the fund, a portion of the revenue derived from oil development of
federal lands is shared with local communities to provide recreational
opportunities for the public. The grants must be matched by partners at
least a dollar-for-dollar.
Projects that received funds in 2011 included:
• The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired 17, 639 acres of Devils
River Ranch at the confluence of the Devils River and Amistad Reservoir. A
$1.33 million grant helped the state protect at total of 37,000 acres,
including 24 river miles. Recreational opportunities range from remote
wilderness activities to “family-friendly” river access for fishing,
hunting and paddling.
• At Legend Rocks State Historical Site in Wyoming, the state was able to
rally private citizens, tribes, and other partners to protect 300
prehistoric petroglyphs, including some of the oldest and best examples of
Dinwoody rock art in the world, while improving public access.
• The City of Fort Wayne used development grant to help fund a special
playground that allows children of all abilities to explore and let their
imaginations take flight. Beyond planning for wheelchair access, the city
included features that considered physical, visual and mental
accessibility.
The full report is available at www.nps.gov/lwcf, along with additional
information about the program.
