- What are examples of eligible LWCF projects?
- Who may apply?
- What is the total funding available for 2012?
- What are the maximum and minimum grant award funding levels?
- How many grants will be awarded?
- Are matching funds required?
- What is a Letter of Commitment?
- What is the application deadline?
- Are there any long-term commitments associated with this program?
- What does in perpetuity mean?
- What is the 6(f) boundary?
- What is the 6(f) boundary map?
- What is Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act?
- How do I know if I am ready to submit an application for competing for LWCF funds?
- I want to use donated land as match - Can it be property already owned by the city, town or county?
- Does the local, or state government have to own the land to receive a development grant?
- The county is proposing to develop an outdoor recreation site on private property. The county would lease the site from the landowner, who is committed to outdoor recreation. Can the county apply for an LWCF grant under these circumstances?
- I am developing a park facility that may only be used during certain seasons and/or months of the year for organized activity. If funded through L&WCF, is it permissible to close and lock the facility during the non-use days or months and/or lock it up after the activity is over?
What are examples of eligible LWCF projects?
Projects that are eligible include land acquisition for new parks and facility construction, or for both, and projects addressing the renovation of public parks for outdoor recreation.
- Public Outdoor Recreation Land Acquisition
- Public Outdoor Recreation Land Acquisition and Facility Development
- Public Outdoor Recreation Facility Development
Eligible grant recipients include cities, towns, counties, Native American Tribes, regional park authorities and state agencies. Private individuals and organizations, including nonprofit and charitable organizations are not eligible for funding assistance. All eligible applicants compete equally for LWCF funds.
What is the total funding available for 2012?
About $1 million is available. Half will be used on eligible local projects and the other half will be used on eligible state-agency projects. If the state project requests are insufficient, remaining funds will be used for local projects.
What are the maximum and minimum grant award funding levels?
The total maximum grant award will be $200,000 (total project cost, $400,000). The minimum is $50,000 (total cost, $100,000).
How many grants will be awarded?
We anticipate that from three to six awards will be made. The number depends on how many applications are received and the award amounts requested.
Yes. The LWCF program is a 50-50 matching reimbursement program. Project sponsors do not receive grant funds at the time of approval. The sponsor must, in essence, incur 100 percent of the total project cost; submit evidence of eligible expenditures and request reimbursement from DCR.
What is a Letter of Commitment?
The Letter of Commitment is a letter from a willing donor of property, materials and services. The letter shows the intent to make the donation is real.
What is the application deadline?
It's 4 p.m. on March 19, 2012. Four copies of the entire application plus an entire electronic version on CD must be delivered by that time to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor Street, Suite 326, Richmond, VA 23219. Postmarks, faxes and email submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all copies are delivered by the deadline above. Submissions received after the deadline will be rejected and not considered.
Are there any long-term commitments associated with this program?
Yes. Properties acquired, improved or developed with LWCF assistance must be retained in perpetuity for public outdoor recreation. Other commitments include proper maintenance and operation, nondiscrimination, facilitation of audits, the posting of a Land and Water Conservation Fund Acknowledgement sign and ensuring the integrity of the 6(f) boundary. More information on grantee compliance and commitments is described on the Program Requirements page.
It means forever. Park land and facilities developed with LWCF assistance must remain as public outdoor recreation facilities forever. Grant recipients must place restrictive working in the deed of the park that the property is protected in perpetuity in accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Act. Reimbursement won't be made without evidence that such property restrictions have been recorded in local court records.
Legally speaking, the 6(f) boundary is the metes and bounds of the area being protected in perpetuity by Section 6 (f) (3) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. Section 6(f) (3) states that the property acquired, developed or improved with LWCF assistance shall not be converted to uses other than public outdoor recreation. The 6(f) (3) boundary ensures that the area defined by the boundary is a viable recreation unit.
What is the 6(f) boundary map?
The 6(f) boundary map is the map, which goes on record with the National Park Service and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, that shows the area being placed under protection of the Land and Water Conservation Act. For details on the what must be shown on the map, refer to the 2012 LWCF manual.
What is Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act?
Section 6(f)(3) states, “ No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall without approval of the Secretary [of the Interior] be converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses.” Those managing the LWCF program realize that, in certain instances, there is no alternative to converting a portion of an LWCF property. In such extreme cases where there is no alternative, the project sponsor must begin a conversion of use process with DCR. In short, the conversion of use process requires that a suitable piece of replacement property be found before a conversion occurs at a LWCF site. Suitable means equivalent in fair market value and able to serve as a viable public outdoor recreation area without relying on adjoining or additional areas.
How do I know if I am ready to submit an application for competing for LWCF funds?
If construction on the project can begin within four months of the formal grant award date and you have the financial resources to pay for the project while seeking periodic reimbursement, project sponsors are probably ready to apply.
DCR has observed that during past grant cycles, the planning of is project is very important. If...
- Citizen involvement has been minimal, including a lack of board meetings, public hearings, public comment periods, surveys, media support, strategic planning, etc.).
- A recreation plan, which includes goals and objective, doesn't exist.
- An inventory and assessment of existing facilities is incomplete and
- Site suitability has not been investigated.
... then sponsors will most likely find themselves needing unexpected surveys, analyses, studies and permits during the Proposal Description and Screening Application phase. Meeting these needs is likely to cause extensive delays and reduce the likelihood of finishing the project in time to be reimbursed. Funds may no longer be available.
I want to use donated land as match - Can it be property already owned by the city, town or county?
No.
Does the local, or state government have to own the land to receive a development grant?
Yes.
The county is proposing to develop an outdoor recreation site on private property. The county would lease the site from the landowner, who is committed to outdoor recreation. Can the county apply for an LWCF grant under these circumstances?
No. The sponsor must own the project site.
I am developing a park facility that may only be used during certain seasons and/or months of the year for organized activity. If funded through L&WCF, is it permissible to close and lock the facility during the non-use days or months and/or lock it up after the activity is over?
No. LWCF guidelines state that the park facility must be open during reasonable hours for public use every day of the year. Some exceptions include holidays, portions of Sundays, wet field conditions, etc. Even if it is the "off-season" for programming, the facility must remain open and accessible to the general public.
Contact
Synthia Waymack
Land & Water Conservation Fund Program
Planning and Recreation Resources
Department of Conservation and Recreation
203 Governor Street, Suite 326
Richmond, Virginia 23219-2010
(804) 786-4379