Article on Government Funding for Ice Facilities_December 1976Here are two programs that might help certain communities who wish to
construct an ice facility. This type of financing might be more difficult than
some other routes. How closely your local officials watch and know the
Washington scene will determine your chances for success. .
How often is it suggested that federal funds should be
sought for an ice facility? No doubt many who have been
involved in raising funds for a community facility have
wondered if "Uncle Sam" might be willing to help.
Two programs are described here, that might help cer-
tain communities who wish to construct an ice facility.
The first step for the community group wishing to ob-
tain federal funding for an ice facility is to establish a
strong working relationship with those local officials who
are directly involved with grants applications and adminis-
tration. The knowledge and resources of these people in
your community will often determine your chances for
receiving money.
State officials, U.S. Representatives and Senators (as
well as their staff people) can also help. Some states have
agencies that serve as clearinghouses for information
about state and federal aids to communities. This is
another possible avenue of investigation.
Preparing an application for a federal grant requires
considerable skill. There are at least three prominent
dangers in this process: 1) Often the proposed project
must be described in a specific manner, highlighting cer-
tain uses over others in order to meet the criteria of the
agency granting the funds. 2) Sometimes the project itself
must be modified to meet the criteria. 3) The greatest
danger of all is that, to get the money before it all disap-
pears to other communities, you must begin pre-applica-
lion procedures before any criteria on the allocation of
funds have been published.
Land and Water
Conservation Fund
The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation administers the Land
and Water Conservation Fund which provides matching
grants to State and local units of government for the ac-
quisition and development of public outdoor and certain
indoor recreation areas and facilities. To be eligible for as-
sistance, projects must be in accord with the statewide
comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, be sponsored by
a governmental agency, and meet other State and Federal
requirements.
What is the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act'.'
It is an Act established to provide funds to increase out-
door recreation opportunities for the American people.
The program provides for (1) acquisition of lands for
federally administered recreation areas; and (2) matching
grants for State recreation planning and State as well as
local land acquisition and development.
Land and Water Conservation Fund revenues are
derived from the sale of Federal surplus real property, the
Federal motorboat fuels tax, and Outer Continental Shelf
mineral receipts.
To be eligible for assistance, protects
must be in accord with the statewide
comprehensive outdoor recreation plan,
be sponsored by a governmen',al agency,
and meet other State and Federal
requirements.
Unfortunately, Fund assistance may not be used to
provide areas and facilities needed to meet the basic physi-
cal education and athletic program requirements of a
school. However, the Bureau encourages the creation of
multipurpose recreation areas which will be available for
coordinated use by the general public and by public
schools, including colleges and universities, as an effective
means of meeting local outdoor recreation needs. Assist-
ance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund pro-
gram may be provided for projects located on school
grounds provided that adequate arrangements are made
for use by the general public.
Persons interested in obtaining funds through the
ON
DECEMBER, 1976
Land and Water Conservation Fund, must first contact
the state agency responsible for administering the Fund
program at the State level for further information and
details on application procedures if appropriate.
Before applying for financial assistance from the Fund,
an applicant must file a "notice of intention" with the
State or areawide clearinghouse established in accordance
with the Federal Office of Management and Budget Circu-
lar A-95. The notice must be forwarded as early as possi-
ble and must include a description of the proposed project
and other information needed to permit the clearinghouse
to circulate the notice to others interested in the proposal.
The completed application must also be submitted for
clearinghouse review prior to any further action. Addi-
tional information on clearinghouse review procedures
can be obtained from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Regional Offices.
Projects eligible for funding may vary
from skating facilities to swimming pool
complexes, and from inner city mini -
parks to complete State parks.
The purpose of this "notice of intention" is to provide
area planning agencies with control over the public proj-
ects in any given area. The Federal government wants to
make sure that it is not funding two identical projects next
door to each other.
Project proposals must be submitted to the appropriate
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Regional Office through
the State agency (or individual) authorized to represent
the State for purposes of the Land and Water Conserva-
tion Fund Act. Grants are made to the State through the
State Liaison Officer, often referred to as the SLO. The
SLO has the initial responsibility of determining project
eligibility and priority for Fund assistance. For the name
and address of the person or agency in your State, contact
your Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Regional Office.
Indoor facilities now eligible
Until recently, indoor facilities have been ineligible for
assistance under the Fund program. However, on Sep-
tember 28, 1976 the President signed Public Law 94,422
which amended the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Act to allow each State to use up to 10 percent of its an-
nual apportionment to shelter swimming pools and ice
rinks (Section 6(e) (2) ). Such sheltered facilities may be
funded in areas where the severity of the climate and in-
creased public use justifies the use of such funds. Criteria
for making these determinations have not yet been for-
mulated.
About 60% of the total Fund provides grants to States
and, through States, to their political subdivisions (cities,
counties, towns, etc.) for the acquisition and development
of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Project
grants must be matched by not less than an equal amount
of non -Federal funds.
For a State or its political subdivisions to receive grants
from the Fund, the State must develop a comprehensive
outdoor recreation plan, and update and refine it on a con-
tinuing basis. The Fund provides matching planning
grants and technical assistance to States to help develop
and update comprehensive outdoor recreation plans. The
plan identifies capital investment priorities for acquiring,
developing, and protecting all types of outdoor recreation
resources within a State; it assures continuing opportunity
for local units of government and private citizens to take
part in their State's outdoor recreation and environmental
planning programs; and it provides a practical tool for
coordinating all State outdoor recreation and environ-
mental conservation programs.
Projects in accord with the State comprehensive out-
door recreation needs identified in the plan are eligible for
funding. They may vary from skating facilities to swim-
ming pool complexes, and from inner city mini -parks to
complete State parks. Assistance is available only for
public projects. The participant (sponsoring State or local
government agency) must agree to permanently dedicate
projects to public recreation use, and assume respon-
sibility for continuing operation and maintenance.
Public Works Employment Act
Another source of assistance is Title I of the Public
Works Employment Act of 1976, This act authorizes
grants to States or political subdivisions for local public
works projects that will stimulate employment. The ap-
propriate field office of the Economic Development Ad-
ministration should be contacted for further information.
In addition to these possibilities, you may contact the
Department of Health, Education and Welfare for infor-
mation on any programs administered by that agency
which may assist in the construction of athletic -education
facilities.
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