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Section 6(f) Recreation Grants

For projects involving public municipal and state parks, state forests, state game lands, state Fish and Boat Commission properties, and certain lands acquired by land trusts or other public recreational facilities, it is important to be aware of Section 6(f), Project 70, Project 500, RIRA, Key 93, ESF, and GG2, and how impacts to properties using those funds will affect PennDOT projects.

Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

  1. Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act applies to the conversion of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities recreation lands to nonrecreational purposes.
  2. The LWCF State Assistance Program, established in 1965, is a federal source of funding provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service to all states to provide 50 percent matching grants for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The intent of the program is to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities for the general public to enjoy.

Project 70 (Act 8)

  1. The Pennsylvania legislature introduced Project 70 to raise $70 million for the acquisition of state parks, reservoirs, and other conservation, recreation, and historical preservation purposes (use of land for public municipal parks, fishing, hunting, boating, open space, scenic sights, or preservation for historical significance, or for any related public outdoor recreation or historical purpose), and to improve water quality and pollution control.
  2. The Commonwealth believes it is fundamental to the public health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Pennsylvania that soil and water resources are preserved as well as lands for recreation and conservation of natural and historical resources.

Project 500 (Act 443)

  1. Project 500 grants are used for reclaiming abandoned mines, state parks and forests, sewage plants, and local and county parks. Potential lands that may have been funded using Project 500 funds include state parks and forests, and state game lands, lands owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, lands owned by counties or municipalities.

Other Grant Programs

  1. Recreational Improvement and Rehabilitation Act (RIRA)
  2. Environmental Stewardship Fund Act (ESF)
  3. Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Act (Key 93)
  4. Growing Greener Bond Fund (GG2)