Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was established in 1964 by Congress to create parks and open space; protect wilderness, wetlands, and refuges; preserve habitat; and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. LWCF was initially authorized for 25 years and was permanently reauthorized in the Dingell Act of March 2019 and in August 2020 the Great American Outdoors Act fully and permanently funded the program.  Using zero taxpayer dollars, the LWCF invests earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing to help strengthen communities, preserve our history and protect our national endowment of lands and waters.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service administers the program on behalf of the federal government. Authority for the program is vested in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the State Liaison Officer (SLO) appointed by the Governor. Historically, North Carolina's LWCF annual allocation has been split 60-40 between local governments and state agencies.

The local assistance program for North Carolina administered by NC State Parks. Grants, up to $750,000 require a 50% match for eligible project costs; historically used to acquire lands, waters, and interests therein necessary to achieve the natural, cultural, wildlife, and recreation management objectives of federal land management agencies. Recreation Resource Service (RRS) provides field administration to ensure compliance and success.

To be eligible for LWCF assistance, every state must prepare and regularly update a statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan (SCORP). The SCORP includes inventories or assessments of current recreation resources (local, state and federal) within a state; identifies needs and new opportunities for outdoor recreation improvements; and sets forth a 5-year action agenda to meet the goals identified by its citizens and elected leaders.

History of LWCF