Central ND News

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced an award of $110,950 to North Dakota from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). According to the National Park Service, the grants will be distributed to specific projects in the state. $56,000 will go to the town of Lisbon to improve two campgrounds within Sandager Park, while $54,950 will be allocated to the town of Towner to replace the public restroom.

The NPS highlighted the significance of LWCF grants, stating, "Since 1965, the NPS has provided more than 40,000 LWCF grants, primarily funded with federal offshore oil and gas lease revenue, to states and local communities." Furthermore, it was noted that in 2019, Senator Cramer played a key role in the passage of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which was signed into law by former President Donald Trump. This legislation reauthorized and reformed the LWCF program to ensure that states receive at least 40 percent of its funding.

The NPS emphasized that LWCF grants are locally determined and competed at the state level through a process designed and managed by state partners of NPS. This allocation of funds aims to support local public parks projects, state conservation efforts, and enhance outdoor recreation access in North Dakota.