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Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a Federally funded grant program administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.  The program generally recieves approximately $4 million annually to award to qualified projects.  Since 1964, this national grant program has awarded over $80 million in grant funds for Oregon recreational areas and facilities.

Program Overview

​Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

  • Cities
  • Counties
  • Park and Recreation Districts
  • METRO
  • Port District
  • Indian Tribes
  • Oregon State Agencies (Parks & Recreation Dept., Dept. of State Lands, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Dept. of Forestry).


Project Types include:

LWCF grants are available to either acquire land for public outdoor recreation or to develop basic outdoor recreation facilities.
 
Acquisition – Acquiring land and water for public access, including new area or additions to existing parks, forests, wildlife areas, beaches or similar.
 
Development – Developing outdoor recreation activities and support facilities needed by the public for recreation activities, including providing basic facilities and improvement of basic facilities.
 
Projects must be consistent with the outdoor recreation goals and objectives stated in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan  (SCORP) and elements of your local comprehensive land use plans and park master plans. Projects must also comply with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Match Criteria:

LWCF provides up to 50 percent project funding. Eligible matches include local budged funds, donated funds, and the value of property, equipment, materials, and/or labor.  

Land previously acquired and work completed prior to project approval cannot be used as a match.  Pre-agreement design and engineering costs may be eligible, but all other projects costs and match must occur within the project period.

Legal Protection for Grant Assisted Recreation Sites:

Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act  (now codified at 54 U.S.C. § 200305(f)(3)) contains strong provisions to protect Federal investments and the quality of assisted resources. Any site that has been acquired, developed, or improved, no matter how small the improvement, with funds from the LWCF grant program, must be open to the public and maintained in perpetuity (forever) for public outdoor recreation.

Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act

  • SEC. 6(f)(3) No property acquired or developed with assistance under this section shall, without the approval of the Secretary, be converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses. The Secretary shall approve such conversion only if he finds it to be in accord with the then existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan and only upon such conditions as he deems necessary to assure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.

Acceptance of an LWCF grant agreement with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department requires the recipient/project sponsor to assume the responsibility for compliance with LWCF Act, any and all program requirements, and applicable state and local laws. In signing the grant agreement with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the sponsor accepts the responsibility for compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.

Inspections
Inspections are required on LWCF assisted areas to monitor the project sponsor’s compliance with program requirements. Project sponsors with recreation areas found in non-compliance will be notified in writing of the problems and given direction on remediation.

History of the Program:

The Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance program was established by the LWCF Act of 1965 (Section 6, Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended; Public Law 88-578; 16 U.S.C 4601-4 et seq.) to stimulate a nationwide action program to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring to all citizens of the United States of present and future generations such quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as may be available and are necessary and desirable for individual active participation.  The LWCF State Assistance Program provides matching grants to States, and through the States to local governments, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.  


The LWCF program was administered by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) from its beginning in 1965 to 1978 when the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS) was created.  HCRS then administered the program until 1981 when the LWCF was transferred to the Department of Interior, National Park Service.

For additional information, visit the National Park Service website at:  https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/index.htm

Grant Cycle Schedule

September 1, 2026: Grant cycle opens
September 11, 2026: Online LWCF grant cycle webinar. Zoom registration link.
November 2, 2026: Grant applications due
Early Spring 2027 (date TBD): The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) meets to rank and recommend grant applications. 
April 2027 (date TBD): The OPRD Commission votes whether to approve the LWCF Committee's funding recommendations at the Commission meeting. 

Dates may be subject to change.

Grant Program Guidance and Forms

​The Land and Water Conservation Fund Manual includes program policies, eligibility requirements, information about the application process, current scoring criteria, and grant management policies.

Oregon State LWCF Manual

Federal LWCF Financial Assistance Manual

Workshops are offered for applicants to learn more about the grant program and application process. Content includes an overview of program policies and application requirements.

2025 LWCF Grant Cycle Webinar Slides (PDF)

2025 LWCF Grant Cycle Webinar Recording

OPRD utilizes an online grants application system. The application can be accessed online when the grant cycle is open. Interested applicants must have an account on OPRD Grants to apply and if needed, can request an account at any time.

Online Application Instructions: Refer to these instructions to navigate the application system on OPRD Grants

Land and Water Conservation Fund Program
LWCF Grant Program-Quick Facts

Pre-Application Worksheets:
Use the three worksheets below as a guide when preparing answers for the Online Application. Your answers can then be cut and pasted from the Worksheet to the Application.


Forms:


Federal LWCF Grant Manual


Refer to the current Oregon State LWCF Manual  for comprehensive information about reporting requirements and state and federal laws that apply to the program.

Progress reports and reimbursement requests must be submitted on https://oprdgrants.org.

Refer to the Online Grant Reimbursement and Reporting Instructions  for detailed information.

OPRD Grants Online Instructional Videos:

Reporting Forms

Important Information:

Maps must be to scale, or show actual dimensions;  show all existing facilities, easements, utilities, and new facilities proposed in application; should be color-coded for ease of understanding; will be reviewed by the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) prior to your schedule presentation. The project boundary map must clearly delineate the park boundary, which is subject to the conversion provisions of Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act.
                                                                                               

  • No project may begin without authorization from OPRD through a signed State/Local Agreement.
  • Projects that do not receive funding may be revised and submitted in another grant cycle.
  • Project areas and facilities must remain open for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. Areas and facilities funded with LWCF assistance in the past must be in compliance with the LWCF program guidelines. LWCF acknowledgement signs must be posted on the site.
  • LWCF acknowledgement signs are available upon request.

Grant Advisory Committee

The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) is a nine-member committee appointed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director. The committee meets annually and at other times upon the call of the Director. The committee members serve non-concurrent four-year terms and represent the following interests:

  • Counties east of the Cascade Mountains;
  • Counties west of the Cascade Mountains;
  • Cities under 15,000 populations;
  • Cities over 15,000 populations;
  • Park and Recreation Districts, Metropolitan Service District or Port Districts
  • Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
  • People with Disabilities
  • Member of a historically underrepresented community; or Representatives from Tribal Governments
  • Public-at-Large

 
Selection of committee members shall be from lists supplied by the Oregon Recreation and Park Association, Association of Oregon Counties, League of Oregon Cities, Special Districs Association of Oregon, and recommendations from the Director. The Department may consult with other appropriate organizations not otherwise listed here for committee membership candidates.

Current OORC Roster

Interested in joining the OORC or want more information? Contact the LWCF Grant Coordinator.

Grant Awards

​Refer to these lists for descriptions of recent projects funded by LWCF.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018

2016

2014

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership    Program

​In 2014, in coordination with Congress, the National Park Service (NPS) created the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, a competitive grant program administered under the authority of the LWCF Act. NPS designed the ORLP with input from Congressional Committee staff, the States, and other interested parties. 

Congress codified ORLP through the EXPLORE Act in 2025. The NPS selects ORLP grants through a national competition following a solicitation and nomination process. ORLP provides a competitive opportunity for qualifying entities to acquire land and water for outdoor recreation purposes, or to develop or renovate outdoor recreation facilities.

Applications are currently being screened and accepted and will be due August 31 annually through 2030. If you are interested in applying to the ORLP Program, please reach out to Nohemi Enciso to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss your project proposal. 


Basic ORLP Grant Requirements
Find additional requirements and information in the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Manual.
•    Population Eligibility - 25,000 or more, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian community organizations, are eligible regardless of population.
•    Matching Requirement - ORLP reimburses up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for finding other non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs.
•    Perpetuity Requirement - ORLP projects must be maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
•    Other Land & Water Conservation Fund Requirements – As an LWCF program, ORLP projects must align with the LWCF Act, LWCF Manual, and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

Notice of Funding Opportunity:
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/89d165d3-00db-4330-bc9a-8be4444f2633

Webinars hosted by the Trust for Public Land and City Parks Alliance: 
•    Session 1 of 4: Unlock Federal Funding to Expand Outdoor Recreation Access: A Guide to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. Register Here for Webinar 1 on June 10 at 2pm ET
•    Session 2 of 4: Federal Funding for Tribal Lands: How to Apply to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. Register Here for Webinar 2 on June 24 at 2pm ET
•    Session 3 of 4: Before You Apply: Laying the Groundwork for ORLP Success. Register Here for Webinar 3 on July 8 at 2pm ET
•    Session 4 of 4: Step by Step: How to Write a Competitive ORLP Application. Register Here for Webinar 4 on July 29 at 2pm ET

NPS Office Hours
The National Park Service will host a one-hour session each month through October 2026 to answer questions and provide general information about ORLP. Register to attend: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/orlp-technical-assistance.htm#Events

Additional Resources
•    National Park Service 
•    Updates to the ORLP Program for 2026
•    Technical assistance for ORLP applications



Contact:

Nohemi Enciso
Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Coordinator
725 Summer St. NE Suite C
Salem, OR 97301
503-480-9092

Julian Fedorchuk
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Program Coordinator (compliance)
725 Summer St. NE Suite C
Salem, OR 97301
503-689-3009

To recieve email updates and information about LWCF, please contact Nohemi Enciso and request to be added to the email distribution list.

Resources