16 USC 8464 - Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 22, 2025

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Eligible entity

(2)

Eligible nonprofit organization

(3)

Entity

The term “entity” means—

(A)

a State;

(B)

a political subdivision of a State, including—

(i)

a city;

(ii)

a county; or

(iii)

a special purpose district that manages open space, including a park district; and

(C)

an Indian Tribe, urban Indian organization, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community or organization.

(4)

Low-income community

(5)

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

(6)

Qualifying area

The term “qualifying area” means—

(A)

an urbanized area or urban cluster that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census;

(B)

2 or more adjacent urban clusters with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or

(C)

an area administered by an Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization.

(b)

Grants authorized

(1)

Codification of program

(A)

In general

There is established an existing program, to be known as the “Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program”, under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for projects—

(i)

to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas; and

(ii)

to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas.

(B)

Priority

In awarding grants to eligible entities under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—

(i)

create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in a qualifying area;

(ii)

engage and empower low-income communities and youth;

(iii)

provide employment or job training opportunities for youth or low-income communities;

(iv)

establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and

(v)

take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.

(2)

Matching requirement

(A)

In general

(B)

Administrative expenses

(3)

Considerations

In awarding grants to eligible entities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the extent to which a project would—

(A)

provide recreation opportunities in low-income communities in which access to parks is not adequate to meet local needs;

(B)

provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and public land volunteerism;

(C)

support innovative or cost-effective ways to enhance parks and other recreation—

(i)

opportunities; or

(ii)

delivery of services;

(D)

support park and recreation programming provided by local governments, including cooperative agreements with community-based eligible nonprofit organizations;

(E)

develop Native American event sites and cultural gathering spaces;

(F)

provide benefits such as community resilience, reduction of urban heat islands, enhanced water or air quality, or habitat for fish or wildlife; and

(G)

facilitate any combination of purposes listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F).

(4)

Eligible uses

(A)

In general

(B)

Limitations on use

An eligible entity may not use grant funds for—

(i)

incidental costs related to land acquisition, including appraisal and titling;

(ii)

operation and maintenance activities;

(iii)

facilities that support semiprofessional or professional athletics;

(iv)

indoor facilities, such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily nonoutdoor purposes; or

(v)

acquisition of land or interests in land that restrict public access.

(C)

Conversion to other than public outdoor recreation use

(i)

In general

(ii)

Condition for approval

(iii)

Wetland areas and interests therein

(c)

Review and evaluation requirements

In carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, the Secretary shall—

(1)

conduct an initial screening and technical review of applications received;

(2)

evaluate and score all qualifying applications; and

(3)

provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information to eligible entities (including low-income communities and eligible entities serving low-income communities) on—

(A)

the opportunity to apply for grants under this section;

(B)

the application procedures by which eligible entities may apply for grants under this section; and

(C)

eligible uses for grants under this section.

(d)

Reporting

(1)

Annual reports

Not later than 30 days after the last day of each report period, each State-lead agency that receives a grant under this section shall annually submit to the Secretary performance and financial reports that—

(A)

summarize project activities conducted during the report period; and

(B)

provide the status of the project.

(2)

Final reports

(Pub. L. 118–234, title I, § 156, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2876.)

cite as: 16 USC 8464