DLNR Solicits Land Conservation Requests

Department to fund acquisitions.

DLNR News Release

In an effort to protect resource-rich land, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will provide funding to acquire land in need of preservation.

The Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP), funded by the State Land Conservation Fund, is now accepting applications. State agencies, county agencies and non-profit land conservation organizations are encouraged to apply.
 
“The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the acquisition and conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources,” said DLNR chairperson Laura H. Thielen.

Application and instructions are available at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 16.

Proposed projects may include acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. County agencies and non-profit project applicants must be able to provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs.

The Fund may provide approximately $4 million in grants, awarded through a competitive process and subject to any budget restrictions. Ten percent of the State’s land conveyance tax is set aside annually in the Land Conservation Fund for the purpose of protecting Hawaii’s unique and valuable resource lands. Project applications will be reviewed by the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, which will nominate projects for funding.  

Since it began in 2006, LLCP has awarded an average of $3.4 million in grant funding per year, protecting a total of approximately 7,220 acres of lands having natural, cultural, and agricultural resource value, and leveraging a total of about $37.8 million in matching federal, private, and county funds. 
  
For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program, please visit
www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp or call (808) 586-0921.