Land & Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program is a federally funded grant program that provides match funds of 50% for outdoor recreation area development and acquisition. Iowa's cities and counties are eligible to participate.

Competition for LWCF funds is intense; but this program provides an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of outdoor recreational projects that are in high demand. Popular projects in recent years have included skate parks, playgrounds, new and renovated swimming pools, sport complexes, campgrounds and multipurpose trails.

Initial screening for Section 106 clearance will be done by the DNR in partnership with the National Park Service. All "Requests for SHPO Comment on a Project" need to be forwarded to the DNR along with the LWCF grant application. Please be sure that all information is correct and complete. If you have any questions, please contact Nick Dellaca at 515-725-0227.

Grant Application Submission and Deadline:
The LWCF grant application and materials are updated on a yearly basis by January 15th. The annual deadline for the LWCF grant applications is 4:30 pm, March 15th, or the closest working day thereof. Submit one complete grant application electronically to Nick Dellaca at Nick.Dellaca@dnr.iowa.gov.

AND
Mail one (1) original and two (2) copies to Nick Dellaca at:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, LWCF Program
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Guidelines and Application Documents:
Land and Water Conservation Fund Guidelines and Application (required)

Reference Documents:

• Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
  Applicants are required to show a relationship between their project and the SCORP priorities. This is the majority of the points awarded during the review and selection process.
• LWCF State Administrative Rules – Chapter 27
• LWCF Federal Manual https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/lwcf-manual.htm
• LWCF General Provisions

The following are cities and counties that have submitted grants for LWCF for the current year and past years.

The amount of LWCF grant money available to cities and counties depends on population.

The population categories and respective grant amount ceilings are shown below: