Government Land Acquisition
Assistance Programs
Programs Administered by the Division of Conservation Services
www.mass.gov/envir/dcs/default.htm
THE SELF-HELP PROGRAM
Established in 1961, the Self Help Program assists municipalities in acquiring land for conservation and passive recreation purposes. In order to be eligible for this program, a municipality must have an established conservation commission.
The intent of the Self-Help Program is to preserve lands and waters in their natural state. Foremost, this program protects area which contain unique natural, historical or cultural features or extensive water resources.
The funds for this program may be used only for the acquisition of land for conservation or passive recreation purposes. Development of facilities on land acquired with Self-Help monies is therefore limited. The cost of any development which occurs on these land must be absorbed by the municipality, and is not eligible for reimbursement under the Self-Help Program.
This program provides for the reimbursement of funds actually expends by a municipality to acquire land or interests therein, including ancillary acquisition costs. Reimbursement of up to 80% is possible for approved costs.
The URBAN SELF-HELP PROGRAM
The Urban Self-Help Program was established in 1977 to assist cities and urban towns in acquiring land for park recreation purposes. Any cities or town with a population of 35,000 or more, which has a park or recreation commission and a conservation commission, is eligible to participate. Reimbursement of up to 90% of the total cost is possible.
A 1983 amendment to the program now permits grants for development and grants to communities which do not meet the population criteria listed above for projects that have regional or statewide significance.
Only projects which are to be developed for suitable outdoor recreation purposes, whether active or passive in nature, shall be considered for funding. Proposed uses and development plans must be submitted with the application for funding.
FEDERAL LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
Established in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund provides for the reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost for acquiring and / or developing lands for outdoor recreation use. Funds are also available for the development of a statewide plan (the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan).
The National Park Service, the federal agency which administers this program nationally, will consider only those acquisition and development proposals which are consistent with the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The funds for this program are annually appropriated by Congress and apportioned to the Commonwealth for allocation by the State Liaison Officer among state agencies and municipalities. The Secretary of Environmental Affairs is the designated State Liaison Officer.
The three major types of projects acceptable by the National Park Services are:
- Acquisition - of land and/or water or partial rights to them.
- Development - of certain outdoor recreation activity and support facilities needed by the public for use of the area.
- Combination - projects which encompass both acquisition and development.
GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Open Space Plans
Each applicant (municipality) must submit or have on file an approved open space/recreational plan that has been developed or updated within the past five years. Each project considered for funding is reviewed for consistency with its own municipal open space plan and also the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
A municipality whose plan is underway may participate in a funding round; however their project will lose valuable points when the project is rated during the Open Project Selection Process. Planning requirements are available through the Division.
Affirmative Action
With the adoption of 301 CMR 50.00, Affirmative Action Rules and Regulations, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs requires that each grant recipient have an affirmative action program. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) reviews each municipality for compliance. Any town with a population under 10,000 needs only to sign an assurance of non-discrimination in housing and employment. Larger municipalities must have a full affirmative action program which addresses employment, fair housing and contract compliance.
Housing Policy
Executive Order 215 mandates that local applications for discretionary state fund be reviewed for fair housing practices, in order to encourage a balance between affordable housing and open space. Each applicant for Division of Conservation Services program funding is reviewed to insure that it is not unreasonably restricting housing growth.
Accessibility
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504:
Facilities and program which receive state and federal funding assistance shall provide for equal access and participation for the handicapped. All development projects will be reviewed to assure that facilities are constructed in accordance with standards established under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, for making them accessible to and usable by the physically handicapped.
Title VI of Civil Rights Acts of 1964
Any project receiving federal funding assistance may not exclude any person on the basis of race, color or national origin from either use of the facility or participation in program provided. Applicants may charge non-residents different fees, however, so long as they are not set so high as be exclusionary. State assistance also requires areas to be open to the public.
For more information please contact
Irene DelBono , Director
Division of Conservation Services
617-626-1138 |
