North Dakota receives $896,313 to Support State Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Secretary of the Interior Ryan K. Zinke Tuesday announced a $896,313 distribution from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to North Dakota for state-identified outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

This is part of a $100 million distribution from the LWCF to all 50 States, the Territories, and the District of Columbia. LWCF funds are non-taxpayer dollars derived from Outer Continental Shelf lease revenues and are awarded through federal matching grants administered by the National Park Service.

Secretary Zinke said, “The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program leverages public and private investment in America’s State and local parks and exemplifies my priorities to improve and expand outdoor recreation and access, and bolster state and local community recreation, tourism, and economic goals. I support permanent reauthorization of LWCF and am hopeful that Congress will pass this important bill before the deadline."

Secretary Zinke made the announcement at Acadiana Park in Lafayette, Louisiana. “In the last 53 years,” Zinke said, “the Land and Water Conservation Fund and its State and Local Assistance Program has provided over $4.2 billion to help states protect special places and bring outdoor recreation opportunities to local communities across the country.”

The $100 million in LWCF funding distributed today was supplemented by the June distribution of $61.6 million in revenues to states from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. “Together these funds create major positive impacts for millions of Americans who have nearby opportunities for recreation in new and improved community parks and recreation areas,” Secretary Zinke said.