Grant Programs

Grant Update

Due to current budget constraints affecting the agency, the only grant programs currently active are:

1. Federal Recreational Trails Program (motorized and non-motorized)
   
2. Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant Program
   
3. Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund (limited to Mohave and La Paz counties)

For information regarding the Heritage Fund contact the Heritage Alliance

Grant Programs Revenue Sources

Heritage Fund (Currently Inactive)

The Arizona State Parks Board Heritage Fund was established in November 1990 by voter initiative, provides up to $10 million annually to Arizona State Parks from Arizona Lottery proceeds (A.R.S. §41-503) There are three competitive grant programs offered annually from the Heritage Fund dollars to provide opportunities for the public to enjoy parks and outdoor recreation, and to help preserve natural and cultural resources. Seventeen percent of the State Parks Heritage Fund revenues are available annually (up to $1.7 million) through the Historic Preservation (HP) Grant Program.Thirty-five percent of the revenues (up to $3.5 million) are available through the Local, Regional and State Parks (LRSP) Grant Program, and five percent of the revenues (up to $500,000) goes to the Trails Heritage Fund, of which 95% is available through the competitive grant program..

Historic Preservation Heritage Grant Fund Program (HP)

Annually, Arizona State Parks receives up to seventeen percent of the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund revenues (up to $1.7 million) to provide funding assistance for historic preservation projects. The Arizona State Parks Development Section and State Historic Preservation Office also receive portions of these funds annually.   

Local, Regional and State Parks Heritage Fund (LRSP)

Thirty-five percent of Heritage Fund revenues available annually (up to $3.5 million) are allocated to the Local, Regional, and State Parks Heritage Fund, which assist municipalities, counties, and tribes to create outdoor recreation and open space opportunities. Grant funded projects include playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas, and others.

Trails Heritage Fund

Five percent of the Heritage Fund revenues available annually (up to $500,000) are allocated for grants to support acquisition and trail improvements for Arizona’s non-motorized trail system. Arizona State Parks receives five percent of this amount to support trail recreation within the State Parks system; the remainder is awarded as competitive grants through the Trails Heritage Fund grant program.

State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIF) (Currently Inactive)

Arizona’s SLIF program was established in 1960 by the Arizona State Legislature (A.R.S.§5-382) to assist state and local units of government to fund projects on waters where boats are permitted. Revenues are generated from the following sources:

• A percentage of the state motor vehicle fuel taxes attributed to watercraft
• A percentage of the motorized watercraft license taxes paid at the time of boat registration
• Interest income on fund

Recreational Trails Program (motorized and non-motorized)

Federal Highways: The 109th Congress enacted the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) It authorizes the RTP federal aid program and codifies it in Federal statutes under section 206 of title 23, US Code).

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (Currently Inactive)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) became effective January 1, 1965. The Act provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress through Public Law 88-578, as amended and receives its revenue primarily from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing.

Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant Program

The Land Conservation Fund: The passage of Proposition 303 on November 3, 1998 established an annual $20 million appropriation by the Arizona State Legislature from the General Fund to the Land Conservation Fund. This annual appropriation began in FY2001 and continues through FY 2011. With the passage of Senate Bill 1071 in 2003, State Parks will transfer $2 million annually to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture. As a result, an $18 million annual appropriation is available for the Growing Smarter grant program.

Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund (LEBSF)

In 1981, the Arizona State Legislature established the LEBSF to provide grants to County Boards of Supervisors for the purposes of supporting boating law enforcement and safety activities. Eligible participants are limited to Boards of Supervisors of Arizona counties. The Statute (A.R.S. §5-383) specifies that LEBSF funds be granted for boating law enforcement, personnel, and equipment. LEBSF revenues are derived from a portion of watercraft license taxes paid by boaters at the time boats are registered.

Heritage Fund Distribution Information

Download Heritage Fund Distribution Information FY 2008 ( 289 KB PPT)
Download Heritage Funding Examples and Photographs ( 4.7 MB PPT)

• State Parks Acquisition and Development (17%): Up to $1.7 million annually
• State Parks Natural Areas Acquisition (17%): Up to $1.7 million annually
  
• State Parks Natural Areas Operation and Management (4%): Up to $400,000 annually
• Environmental Education (5%): Up to $500,000 annually
• Trails (5%): Up to $500,000 annually
• Local, Regional and State Parks (35%): Up to $3.5 million annually
• Historic Preservation (17%): Up to $1.7 million annually