LWCF State Assistance Formula Grants - Planning - FY24

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance Formula Grants - Planning, a funding opportunity set for Fiscal Year 2024, aims to provide financial support for state-level agencies to develop or update their State-wide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) or its related elements. In addition, funding can be used for different types of recreational planning projects that could be incorporated into the SCORP.

The National Park Service (NPS) collaborates with selected agencies in the 50 states and territories including American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to carry out this assistance program. The aim is to ensure states remain eligible for LWCF grants by maintaining a current SCORP, which is a legal requirement under the LWCF Act.

Every fiscal year, funds are allocated to this program from the LWCF, with each state's share determined by a legislative formula. The SCORP provides an evaluation of outdoor recreation demands and needs, which in turn outlines the priorities for utilizing LWCF funds. Projects chosen for funding need to be aligned with the priorities or objectives outlined in the SCORP.

Review and approval of each State’s SCORP fall under the purview of the NPS. SCORP must be updated every five years as a minimum requirement. Fulfilling the detailed eligibility, procedural, and programmatic requirements for the LWCF grants, as prescribed in the LWCF Grant Assistance Manual, is essential for seeking funding.

States can obtain the current LWCF Financial Assistance Manual (Volume 72, effective from October 1, 2023), online at the NPS website. It includes instructions on the SCORP process and specific requirements in Chapter 2.