Interior Department announces funding resource

Congressional approval of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will direct over $170 million to the states for outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

According to the U.S. Department of Interior, that will mean $1,817,757 for the state of Idaho and $1,504,029 for Wyoming. Funding allocations are based on a formula outlined in the act.

“We are pleased with the permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which came as part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act earlier this year,” said National Park Service acting Deputy Director for Operations David Vela during remarks today at the National Association of State Park Directors conference. “Investing in high quality outdoor recreation space has proven to increase the public’s physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being. We look forward to continuing our work with state and local partners in the implementation of this important program.”

Funding for the LWCF comes from Outer Continental Shelf lease revenues and are awarded through federal matching grants administered by the National Park Service. It is intended to ensure public access to outdoor recreation resources.

Since it was established, the fund has granted $4.4 billion to fund 43,000 projects across the nation.