Preface

PREFACE

 

 

This Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF) Grants Manual sets forth the administrative policies, procedures and guidelines for L&WCF grants awarded to the States by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.  It is intended to serve as a basic reference for those who are engaged in the administrative and financial management of L&WCF grants to States, and to achieve uniformity in the administration of the L&WCF program by the State Liaison Officers.

 

Participation in the L&WCF program is deemed to constitute a public trust.  It is the responsibility of the State to comply with this Manual and all terms and conditions of the grant agreement, to efficiently and effectively manage funds in accordance with the approved budgets, to promptly complete grant assisted activities in a diligent and professional manner, and to monitor and report performance.  This responsibility cannot be delegated nor transferred.

 

The policies and procedures contained in this Manual are subject to applicable Federal laws and regulations, and any changes made to these laws and regulations subsequent to their publication.  In the event that these policies and procedures conflict with applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies, the following order of precedence will prevail:

 

                        1.         Federal Law

                        2.         The Code of Federal Regulations

                        3.         Terms and Conditions of Grant Award

                        4.         Land and Water Conservation Fund Manual

 

The State bears primary responsibility for the administration and success of grant supported operations, including performance by third parties under subagreements made by the State for accomplishing nonconstruction and construction project objectives.  Except as specifically excluded, the provisions of this Manual shall be applied by the State to subgrantees and contractors performing work under L&WCF grants.

 

This edition of the L&WCF Grants Manual revises and updates the previous edition, including amendments thereto, issued as Manual Release 140 through Word, version 4.0 for Apple Macintosh‚ computers.  A minimum of two Megabites of RAM is required for optimum efficiency to run the program, although the program will run with one megabite..

 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF) Program was administered by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) from its beginning in 1965 to 1978 when the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS) was created.  HCRS then administered the program until 1981 when the L&WCF was transferred to the National Park Service where the program is currently administered.  Inquiries may be addressed to the Chief, Recreation Grants Division, National Park Service (784), P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127.

 


How to use

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

 

 

Organization and Numbering Procedure,

 

Printed Version.   This Manual is organized by Part, Chapter, section and paragraph.  A typical reference, such as 650.3.2A, indicates Part 650, Chapter 3, Section 2 and paragraph A.  To locate certain information, use the Table of Contents to identify the likely Part and Chapter, and/or refer to the index for the specific section and cross references.

 

Computerized Version.  The computerized version is organized identically to the printed version.  However, there is no index since any subject can be accessed using Word's keyword search capabilities.

 

By using the "Find" command under the utilities menu, one can search for any word or phrase in the Manual.  Instructions for using "Find" are contained in the Microsoft Word 4.0 user reference manual.  (Full  Menus should be used.)

 

The easiest method of finding a major subject heading is to:

            1.         Make sure that hidden text is shown (go to "Preferences" under                   the "Edit" pull down menu).

            2.         Consult the Table of Contents for the Chapter heading.

            3.         Select Find from the Utilities pull-down menu.

            4.         Select "Whole Word."

            5.         Enter the Part and Chapter number preceded by the letter "C".                    Thus if searching for Chapter 3 of Part 640, enter [C640.3 ].  Do not             enter the brackets.

            6.         Select "Start Search" and wait for the beginning of the Chapter to               appear on the monitor.

 

Paragraphs, such as 640.3.5 may also be accessed directly by searching on [P640.3.5 ].  Similarly, attachments to Chapters can be accessed by entering the Chapter and attachment designation such as [C650.3 att.A ].

 

An alternative, and faster method for accessing any page in the computerized version of this manual is to use the " G" (Go To) command and entering the appropriate page and section numbers.  For example, instead of entering "C640.3" as you would under the Find function, you would enter "p1s17  ."  Section numbers are shown in hidden text and parentheses following each chapter title in the Table of Contents.

 

 

How to Obtain Copies of this Manual.  This Manual and all revisions thereto may be obtained from National Park Service Regional Offices (see 600.1 Attachment A for Regional Office addresses).

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part                 Chapter            (Section)

 

 

                        Preface                                                                                                          i                        How to Use this Manual                                                                         iii

                        Table of Contents                                                                                     iv                        List of Attachments                                                                                 vi

 

600                  General Program Information

 

                        1.      Program Summary (S 2)

                        2.      Legislative Basis (S 4)

                        3.      State Apportionment (S 5)

                        4.      Secretary's Contingency Reserve (S 6)

                        5.      Definitions (S 7)

                        6.      Project Numbering System (S 8)

                        7.      L&WCF Program Annual Report (S 9)

                        8.      Program Review of State Offices (S 11)

 

630                  State Plans

 

                        1.      Plan Preparation, Procedures and Eligibility (S 13)

                        2.      Planning Assistance (S 15)

 

640                  Acquisition and Development

 

                        1.      General Project Criteria (S 16)

                        2.      Criteria for Acquisition (S 17)

                        3.      Criteria for Development (S 18)

 

650                  Project Compliance

 

                        1.      General Project Compliance (S 22)

                        2.      Environmental Policy and Assessment (NEPA) (S 23)

                        3.      Relocation and Acquisition Policy (P.L. 91-646) (S 31)

                        4.      Cultural, Aracheological and Historic Preservation (S 35)

                        5.      EEO Contract Compliance (S 36)

                        6.      National Flood Insurance Program (S 41)

                        7.      Flood Plains and Wetlands (S 42)

                        8.      Intergovernmental Review System (E.O. 12372) (S 43)

                        9.      Title VI Guidelines (S 46)

                        10.    Minority Business Enterprise Development (MBE) (S 47)

 

660                  Application and Evaluation Procedures

 

                        1.      Types of Applications (S 50)

                        2.      Application and Amendment Procedures (S 51)

                        3.      Application Forms (S 52)

                        4.      Open Project Selection Process (S 75)

                        5.      Evaluation Criteria (S 76)

 

670                  Cost Principles

 

                        1.      General Cost Principles (S 77)

                        2.      Sponsor's Financial Obligations (S 78)

                        3.      Allowable Costs (S 79)

 

675                  Project Administration

 

                        1.      General Administrative Requirements (S 80)

                        2.      Acquisition Methods and Appraisals (S 82)

                        3.      Procurement Standards (S 83)

                        4.      L&WCF Sign Standards (S 85)

                        5.      Financial Management and Reporting (S 87)

                        6.      Payments (S 88)

                        7.      Audits (S 97)

                        8.      Project Termination and Settlement (S 98)

                        9.      Post-Completion Responsibilities (S 99)

 

INDEX


LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

 

 

600.1A            NPS Regional Offices with Responsibility for L&WCF Grants ( S 3)

 

600.7A            Annual Report Print Out (S 10)

 

600.8A            Checklist for Project Compliance (S 12)

 

630.1A            Summary of Legislation Requiring Coordination between        SCORP and Other Federal Programs (S 14)

 

640.3A            Normal Daily Average Temperature, January (S 19)

 

640.3B            Mean Annual Total Snowfall (S 20)

 

640.3C            Normal Daily Average Temperature (June) (S 21)

 

650.2A            Environmental Certification (S 24)

 

650.2B            Finding of No Significant Impact (S 25)

 

650.2C            CEQ Regulations for Implementing NEPA (S 26)