Central ND News

The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has announced the allocation of $254,625 to tribes in North Dakota. The funds, sourced from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, will be distributed to various projects within the state.

The Spirit Lake Tribe is set to receive $167,875 for the construction of an outdoor recreation support building. Meanwhile, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians will benefit from an $86,750 grant for the development of Heritage Park.

Since its inception in 1965, the NPS has awarded more than 40,000 LWCF grants. These grants are primarily funded with federal offshore oil and gas lease revenue and are distributed to states and local communities.

In 2019, Senator Cramer played a significant role in passing the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This legislation reauthorized and reformed the LWCF program to ensure that states receive at least 40 percent of its funding. Grants distributed through the LWCF program are locally determined and competed at the state level through a process designed and managed by state partners of the NPS.