1. NASORLO LWCF State Assistance Modernization Committee

2. NASORLO LWCF State Assistance Modernization Committee
Created under administration of President Susan Moerschel
First Chair Lauren Imgrund
Purpose to review LWCF State Assistance Program guidelines, seek feedback from NASORLO membership and propose administrative changes as deemed appropriate and necessary
Current Committee:
John Beneke (AR)
Mary Fitch (OH)
Eric Feldbaum (NH)
Cleve Hardman (LA)
Tim Hogsett (TX)
Susan Moerschel (DE)
Antoinette Norfleet (GA)
Synthia Waymack (VA)
Doug Eiken (advisory)

3. Some of the Initial Committee Issues
Administrative Costs
Temporary Non-Conforming Uses
Technology
Real Estate Appraisals
SCORP
Small Conversions

4. Temporary Non-Conforming Uses
Current LWCF Manual “All requests for temporary uses for purposes that do not conform to the public outdoor recreation requirement must be submitted to and reviewed by the State. The State, in turn, will submit a formal request to NPS describing the temporary non-conforming use proposal.
Continued use beyond six-months will not be considered temporary, but will result in a conversion of use and will require the State/project sponsor to provide replacement property pursuant to Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act.
NASORLO Request Extend use period
NPS Response Would like to go to 3 years, but current policy based on Congressional direction…change could require Congressional action or Federal Register posting…NPS consulting with legal counsel

5. Technology National data base of LWCF assisted lands and facilities
Useful for administrative purposes such as 6f protection and other post- completion compliance
Very useful for showing the importance and widespread use of State Assistance funding
Political purposes
Issue addressed in another session

6. Real Estate Appraisals
NASORLO Request NASORLO members often manage several federal grant programs. We seek consistency on appraisal standards such as NPS allowing USPAP appraisals in lieu of “Yellow Book”
Other DOI entities such as US Fish and Wildlife already have made this change
NPS Response Exploring options

7. SCORP
Current LWCF Manual “To be eligible for LWCF assistance for acquisition and development grants, each State shall prepare a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), and update it at least once every five years.” NASORLO Request Extend SCORP eligibility to 10 years. No formal NPS response to date

8. Small Conversions
Current LWCF Manual “Small conversions are composed of small portions of Section 6(f)(3) protected areas that amount to no more than 10 percent of the 6(f) protected area or five acres, whichever is less. The replacement property is contiguous to the original Section 6(f)(3) area .
NASORLO Request Remove 5 acre and contiguous replacement requirements
NPS Response policy has been revised..5 acre requirement removed, and requirement for replacement property to be contiguous to original 6f area has been revised to the replacement property must be contiguous with the current site, or another existing park or recreation area.
In addition, small conversions must qualify as a categorical exclusion under NEPA.

9. Other Issues Raised in Committee
Timing of annual apportionment, Have had discussions at high levels of DOI, and with key Congressional oversight committee staffers
Reapportionment guidelines and loss of funds
Annual application windows in grants.gov and implications on administration
Overhead utility lines policy removed in 2008 NPS manual revisions
Requirement for oversight review by new Secretary of the Interior for all grants exceeding $100,000
ORLPP review process and delays

10. Future Committee issues?