Peace Garden News

The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $425,175 to the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation for the expansion of the Pembina Gorge Recreation Area. The funding, provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), will support the acquisition of approximately 149 acres of land aimed at increasing outdoor recreation opportunities in the area.

The LWCF program, established in 1965, uses revenue primarily from federal offshore oil and gas leases to fund grants supporting public parks and conservation projects across states and local communities. To date, more than 48,000 grants have been distributed through this initiative.

In 2019, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer played a role in passing the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. According to Senator Cramer's office: "The legislation reauthorized and reformed the LWCF program to ensure states receive at least 40 percent of its funding." Grants under this program are determined locally and undergo a state-level review process managed by NPS partners.

The new funds will allow North Dakota to further allocate resources for expanding access to public parks and enhancing state conservation efforts.