California Competitive Process for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) + Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program
The California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) is pleased to announce the application due date for California's competitive process for the federal $80 Million available through the LWCF+REPI program.
Projects must involve acquisition of land adjacent to military installations. The acquired land must serve as an encroachment buffer for a military installation while also enhancing public outdoor recreation opportunities.
National Park Service released their Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on March 21, 2023 with an application deadline of August 21, 2023 for the States to submit the applications to National Park Service. States are required to conduct an internal competitive review process and select applications that best meet the LWCF+REPI intent, based on the federal guidelines, prior to submitting applications to National Park Service for the nationwide competition.
As such, California has established an initial Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Program Intent:
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) + Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program combines two unique federal funding opportunities to provide full funding for projects that meet both LWCF and REPI program objectives. LWCF, run by the National Park Service (NPS), is a competitive grant program, and can award up to 50% of eligible outdoor recreation project costs. REPI, run by the Department of Defense (DOD), is a non-competitive funding source that can award up to 50% of eligible acquisition and combination project costs to support state and local projects adjacent to military installations to stop encroachment, such as building parks and open space.
Eligibility:
Full Eligibility Checklist can be reviewed here.
Acquisition OR Combination (acquisition + development) projects to create outdoor park and recreation areas near military installations.
Applicants interested in LWCF + REPI must first establish an eligible and acceptable project plan with their local military installation (go to the REPI Map and select "REPI Partnership Opportunity Areas." Areas within the blue circles by military installations are eligible, if the proposed use fits the installation's goals. The installation will review proposals and issue a letter of support to approved projects, and this letter must be included in the LWCF + REPI application. Applicants unfamiliar with the REPI program can visit the REPI webpage and email osd.repi@mail.mil with "LWCF" included in the subject line to receive more information and be connected to their local military installation program contact.
Both LWCF and REPI have unique program requirements, and projects proposed under this LWCF + REPI program funding opportunity must be fully eligible under both programs to apply. Applicants can learn more about LWCF program eligibility on California's LWCF grant page and reach out to Natalie Bee at natalie.bee@parks.ca.gov.
Amount Available: Up to $80 Million is available for the national competition. Funding is made possible through $40M of unused LWCF funding and $40M from DOD's REPI Program. Participating states are not guaranteed an award. The national review committee will award the most competitive applications received nationwide.
Maximum Grant Amount Request: $5 million through LWCF
Minimum Grant Amount Request: $250,000
Match Requirement: Up to 50% of the total project cost can be requested through LWCF - up to the maximum $5M LWCF grant amount. For a $5M grant amount, the total project cost must equal at least $10M.
Once the LWCF application is submitted to the National Park Service, NPS and the Department of Defense will collaborate to determine the projects that best fit both programs and may award up to $5M through LWCF and $5M through REPI for a total project cost of $10M. As mentioned above, the installations must review proposals and issue a letter of support for a project, and this letter must be included in the LWCF + REPI application.
Eligible Applicants:
Cities
Counties
State agencies
Park districts, and special districts with authority to acquire, operate and maintain public park and recreation areas.
Although Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are eligible for LWCF grants, they are not eligible to receive funds under 10 U.S.C 2684a, therefore REPI program funds could not be used to satisfy the non-federal cost share requirements for projects proposed to occur on tribal land.
How To Apply:
Submit applications using Submittable before 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
For more information regarding the program, please visit the LWCF+REPI webpage. Please contact Natalie Bee at Natalie.Bee@parks.ca.gov with any questions, or to request a technical assistance application workshop.
Grant Management Associates has years of experience with opportunities like this one. Contact us today for a consultation.
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