Land and Water Conservation Fund - Land Acquisition Grants

The Land and Water Conservation Fund acquisition grants help Michigan state and local governments acquire land and water areas for public outdoor recreation, advancing priorities in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and ensuring permanent public access. Applicants must be eligible units of government with a current DNR-approved 5-year recreation plan, must hold a public meeting within six months of the deadline, and must keep acquired sites open to outdoor recreation in perpetuity under 6(f)(3) restrictions with ADA-compliant access. Eligible projects include fee-simple acquisitions for parks, natural areas, waterfronts, trails, and other public recreation purposes; ineligible projects include sites primarily for museums, indoor facilities, agricultural preservation, or professional/intercollegiate athletics. Applications are submitted in MiGrants with required attachments (e.g., Notice of Intent, SHPO Section 106 initiation by a qualified professional, IPaC/NEPA documentation, maps, resolution, match commitments). DNR evaluates and scores proposals, the DNR Director recommends projects in early December, and the National Park Service makes final approvals, after which grant agreements are issued.