State Land and Water Conservation Fund Creates or Enhances Nearly 200 Parks across Country in 2011

Last week the National Park Service announced that revenue from leases for offshore oil and gas development in federal waters helped states build or improve 198 parks across the country in 2011, ranging from establishing a new park on Texas� most pristine river, to protecting and providing public access to prehistoric petroglyphs in Wyoming to building a new wheelchair-accessible playground in Indiana, according to a new report issued by the Interior Department�s National Park Service.

Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program, the Park Service awarded $33.3 million in grants to states to help communities invest in new parks or renovate or expand existing parks. States, local communities, and other partners exceeded the required dollar-for-dollar match by providing $43.9 million to complete the projects.

�The Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program powers a federal-state partnership that benefits communities and strengthens our economy,� said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. �Thanks to these grants, we are connecting Americans with the great outdoors by providing quality recreational opportunities that are close to home, open to the public, and accessible to all.�

Through the fund, a portion of the revenue derived from oil development of federal lands is shared with local communities to provide recreational opportunities for the public. The grants must be matched by partners at least a dollar-for-dollar. To review some of the projects that received funds, please click here.