Municipalities and counties are eligible for up to a 50 percent matching fund assistance from the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Program Open Space Local funds or Community Parks and Playground grant funds may be used as the match. If using Program Open Space Local funds as match for a development project, please note that county match requirements will apply. The maximum LWCF assistance grant request is $1,000,000 ($2,000,000 maximum total project cost) and the minimum LWCF assistance grant request is $50,000 ($100,000 minimum total project cost). Exceptions may be granted by the Department in certain circumstances based on project applications received and available grant funds.
Upon receipt, preliminary applications will be reviewed to determine eligibility and scored with Maryland’s approved Open Project Selection Process (OPSP). MD DNR will invite those applications with the highest grant score to officially apply for LWCF assistance. In addition, the applicant will be required to sign an agreement with MD DNR, which acknowledges responsibility for compliance with the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965; signing this agreement is a condition for DNR to submit the application to the NPS. The National Park Service (NPS) will review project applications, and if approved for LWCF assistance, will provide a project start date. Applicants should be aware that development and acquisition projects must be completed within three years from the provided start date. Only expenditures incurred within the approved LWCF project period are eligible for reimbursement. Grantees do not receive funds at the time of approval. The applicant must incur 100 percent of the total project cost; submit evidence of eligible expenditures throughout project implementation and payment thereof; and request reimbursement from MD DNR after the project has been completed and NPS has officially closed the grant. Expenses incurred prior to authorization of the LWCF grant agreement or after the expiration date are ineligible for reimbursement.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants Information
Questions about this grant opportunity may be directed to: Andrew Mengel at andrew.mengel@maryland.gov or 443-569-2827