National Land and Water Conservation Fund State Grant Training Denver, Colorado April 7-11, 2013 Foundations of LWCF State Grant Program

 ORRRC’s Mission Determine recreation needs now and in 2000 Determine resources needs now and in 2000 Recommend policies and programs Core Findings –Opportunities urgently needed near metropolitan areas –Land is available but doesn’t effectively meets needs –Money is needed

 ORRRC’s Recommendations A National Outdoor Recreation Policy  “… preserve, develop and make accessible … such quantity and quality of … recreation  Implementation will require cooperation from all levels of government, especially the States Establish Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Create a grant-in-aid program to stimulate and assist the States

President Johnson’s Endorsement LWCF Act received bipartisan support Signed into law on Sept

 LWCF Act’s Purpose “ to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring accessibility to all citizens … present and future generations and visitors … such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources … are necessary and desirable for individual active participation in such recreation and to strengthen the health and vitality of the citizens of the United States by…”

 LWCF Purpose was to be Accomplished by “(1) providing funds for and authorizing Federal assistance to the States in planning, acquisition, and development of needed land and water areas and facilities (2) providing funds for the Federal acquisition and development of certain lands and areas  Supports NPS, FWS, BLM, and USFS acquisition needs”

 LWCF Act – 1965 Established a long term source of funding  Proceeds from sale of surplus federal lands  Motorboat fuel tax  Recreation use fees Set 60% for State grants and 40% federal acquisition. [ LWCF Act Section 4 …(i) the appropriation therein made shall be available in the ratio of 60 per centum for State purposes and 40 per centum for Federal purposes ]

 LWCF Act’s – Evolution Basic purposes remain the same today Legislative amendments  OCS oil and gas royalties added  “state % taken out and not less than 40% available for federal purposes” added  Funding authorization level increased to $900m FY1998 expansion of funds for “related purposes” other than land acquisition

 September 30, 2015 – a Date to Remember 50 th Anniversary of the LWCF Act LWCF Act’s sunset date  Continuation of funding  Preservation of the recreation estate i.e. 6(f) protection

LWCF State Assistance Program

 LWCF State Assistance -- Relevancy The State Assistance Program is the only state and federal partnership program in the federal government for creating and protecting public parks and outdoor recreation opportunities close to home

 Core Legislative Cornerstones of the State Assistance Program 1. Partnership to assist states in building a state and local park system, close to home -- grants 2. Increase and maintain a permanent nationwide recreation estate -- 6(f) protection 3. Encourage sound planning recreational – SCORP’s

 The Program State-Federal Partnership -- emphasis State role 50/50 matching grants  To states and thru states to local units of government  Grants for acquisition, development, and planning

 Accomplishments $4.1 billion appropriated, matched at least 50:50 for a total of $8.2 billion 42,000+ grants  23% acquisition projects supporting purchase and protection of 3 million acres  77% development/construction projects to develop basic outdoor recreation facilities Grants benefited 10,800+ public agencies  76% of grants awarded to local projects LWCF park in more than 98% of counties

 LWCF Act’s – Evolution Legislative amendments  OCS oil and gas royalties added  1976 – Took out 60% guarantee for state grants, but left in “not less than 40% available for federal (land acquisition) purposes”  Funding level increased to $900m  FY1998 expansion of funds through appropriations to include “related purposes” other than land acquisition, no change in the Act.

 Trends with LWCF Appropriations Prior to 1976 amendment vs. post amendment changes in total appropriated dollars FederalState $0.9 billion (39%) $1.4 billion (61%) $93.3 billion (66%) $2.7 billion (19%)

 Trends with LWCF Appropriations Prior to 1997 vs. post 1998 differences in total appropriations for “other purposes” FederalStateOther $5.6 billion (63%) $3.3 billion (37%) $0 (0%) $4.5 billion (61%) $0.8 billion (11%) $2.2 billion (29%)

 A coalition of groups interested in increasing appropriations for the LWCF state grants, including; National Governors Association National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers National Recreation and Park Association National Association of State Park Directors City Parks Alliance Mayors for Parks Society of Recreation and Park Professionals have been working to raise awareness about this issue.

 November 25, 2015  NASORLO LWCF RESOLUTION   PREAMBLE   The National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO), official appointees of the States’ Governors, administer the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Program (LWCF) throughout the United States and US Territories. Actions by current and past NASORLO members have resulted in protected parks in every geographic region of the United States, every county, nearly every city or town, and territory. Since 1965, approximately 2.6 million acres of park and conservation lands have been preserved in perpetuity while outdoor recreation opportunities grew at 29,000 locations across our country.   WHEREAS, over the past 50 years the LWCF Act created to one of the most successful federal/state partnerships in history, which stimulated hundreds of millions of dollars from private, local and state sources matching federal funds for outdoor recreation projects;   WHEREAS, the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO), representing the states and territories, and liaisons to Congress and the Department of Interior, met on September 25, 2014 in Vancouver, Washington, for purposes of discussion of the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Act;   WHEREAS, on September 3, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson, signed into law the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, passed by the United States Congress, to provide urban and rural outdoor recreation opportunities on state, federal and local lands for all Americans. When the Act was passed by Congress its primary purpose was to provide outdoor recreation for Americans in close to home locations, guaranteeing that sixty percent (60%) of the Act’s funds were to be dedicated to the states and territories;   WHEREAS, the Act was later amended to eliminate the 60% guarantee of the state’s LWCF share, though, with guarantees of not less than 40 percent of annual appropriations for federal LWCF project purposes;   WHEREAS, over 40,000 grants to states and localities were awarded LWCF State Assistance Grants Program funds for acquisition, development and planning of outdoor recreation opportunities. These grants represent an investment of $4.2 billion in LWCF assistance, matched with private, local and state sources representing a minimum $8.4 billion local investment resulting in the creation of state and local parks that continue today to provide close-to-home recreation opportunities readily accessible to America's youth, adults, senior citizens and the physically or mentally challenged;   WHEREAS, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act will expire in September 2015, and assessments by the National Park Service show significant unmet needs for outdoor recreation in state, local and urban areas;   WHEREAS, NASORLO looks forward to working with all interested stakeholders, including the nation's Governors, Congress and the Administration to create a mutually agreeable platform and strategy to achieve the legislative reauthorization, and, fairness and equity for the state share of the LWCF assistance; and   WHEREAS, the members of NASORLO and our stateside partners reinforce our strong and enthusiastic support for legislation that would enhance the Land and Water Conservation Fund;   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, NASORLO requests that Congress reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and restore language that includes full and permanent funding and not less than a 40% share of the LWCF allocation for the State Assistance Program.   Signed: Tim Hogsett, Texas, President NASORLO 

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