DEP ANNOUNCES LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND 2014-2015 APPLICATION CYCLE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 12, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

DEP ANNOUNCES LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND 2014-2015 APPLICATION CYCLE

 ~ Federal grant opportunity for local governments to enhance public outdoor recreation ~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has established an application submission cycle for the fiscal year 2014-2015 Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program.  Grant applications will be accepted Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, through Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal competitive program, which provides matching grant funds for acquiring or developing land for public outdoor recreational use.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of this landmark conservation program.  Land and Water Conservation Fund funding has benefited nearly every county in America, supporting over 41,000 projects. 

“We encourage local governmental entities to examine the needs of their communities and apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant funds,” said Rick Mercer, director of DEP's Office of Operations. “This grant opportunity can help improve community parks and develop trails in the community that families might otherwise not have access to.” 

Additional information, including the 2014-2015 Land and Water Conservation Fund application, can be found here. 

The Land and Recreation Grants Section within the Bureau of Financial Management administers the Land and Water Conservation Fund on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Eligible participants include all local governmental entities with the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public.  In accordance with the Land Water Conservation Fund Act, available program funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 are contingent upon an annual appropriation to each state by Congress. Allocations have not yet been made.