Peace Garden News

The National Park Service has awarded $1 million to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department for a project supporting the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. The funding, provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), will be used to construct five playground and picnic areas with amenities. The project is scheduled for completion by December 30, 2029.

According to the National Park Service, since 1965 more than 45,000 LWCF grants have been issued, primarily using revenue from federal offshore oil and gas leases. These grants help states and local communities develop public parks projects, support conservation efforts, and increase access to outdoor recreation.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) played a role in passing the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in 2019. "The legislation reauthorized and reformed the LWCF program to ensure states receive at least 40 percent of its funding," according to Cramer's office. Grants distributed through this program are determined locally and reviewed at the state level by partners of the NPS.