Recreation and Visitor Services

 

Public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provide some of the most diverse outdoor recreation opportunities on Federal lands in the western United States. The BLMs Recreation and Visitor Services Program oversees a broad and complex set of recreation related programs. These recreation resources and visitor services support strong local economies and public land conservation. The BLM manages recreation resources and visitor services to offer the greatest benefits possible to individuals and communities and to better enable communities to achieve their own desired social, economic, and environmental outcomes. BLM continues to advance the Department of the Interiors priorities to increase environmental protections, pursue environmental justice, and honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes. This program will support projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act PL 117-58, Section 40804(b) Ecosystem Restoration.

Active 15.225 Bureau of Land Management, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 BLM maintained partnerships in the Tread Lightly, Leave No Trace, Interpretive programming, Recreational Fishing, Corridor Management (rivers and trails) and numerous travel and tourism activities. The program issued 205 awards.
Fiscal Year 2018 Enhanced public literacy on multiple use public land principles through education and outreach, on the ground trail restoration and improvements.
Fiscal Year 2019 No current data available.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY 2020, the BLM continued to issue financial assistance to institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to support DOI/BLM priorities and make the benefits of outdoor recreation more accessible to individuals and communities. Projects ranged from social science research at BLM managed recreation sites and areas; expertise in community trail planning, trail design, layout and construction; studies to identify the recreation activities, experiences and benefits preferred by visitors; and support to improve recreational access into land locked BLM parcels.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, the BLM entered into multiple agreements to encourage, facilitate and build healthy communities and economies, advance environmental justice, and provide safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. Projects included messaging and resource assistance to help promote responsible outdoor recreation; assistance towards the completion of Motorized Recreation Action Plans; and help to identify, plan, facilitate and complete a Cooperative Tribal/BLM Travel and Tourism Project.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, the BLM entered into multiple agreements to encourage, facilitate and build healthy communities and economies, advance environmental justice, and provide safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. Projects included messaging and resource assistance to help promote responsible outdoor recreation; inventories and assessments to improve visitor and recreation resource data; and support towards improving recreational access for all persons regardless of abilities or personal background.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, the BLM entered into multiple agreements to encourage, facilitate and build healthy communities and economies, advance environmental justice, address the climate crisis, and provide safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. Projects included messaging and resource assistance to help promote responsible outdoor recreation; inventories and assessments to improve visitor and recreation resource data; and support towards improving recreational access for all persons regardless of abilities or personal background. Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 Section 307(b) (FLPMA) 43 U.S.C. 1737 (b) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is required. For more information and local requirements, cooperative project proposals should be coordinated with Bureau of Land Management local State or District/Field Offices. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart C--Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards. A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal, budget spreadsheet, a budget narrative/breakdown, and any other requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Notice and submitted through www.grants.gov. State plan is not required for this application. All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project, but should not be more than five years. Further information will be available for each program at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award. Not applicable. First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations, the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements Projects are used to benefit public lands administered by the BLM. Most of these lands are located in the Western United States and Alaska. Financial assistance can be used for assisting the BLM in the management, protection and/or upgrade recreational resources and related facilities, and in providing related public contact/education opportunities. Performance Reports: Shall submit at the minimum an annual Performance Report in accordance with the 2 CFR, Part 200.328 within 90 days after the anniversary date or as indicated in the Notice of Award. Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final report no later than 120 calendar day after the award end date: Not applicable. All recipients of Federal awards shall maintain project records in accordance with 2 CFR 200.333 Retention requirements for records. Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities must not impose any other record retention requirements upon non-Federal entities, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.333. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. No specific restrictions. However, most projects are funded on a year to year basis and no more than five years. Funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Frequency of recipient payments will be determined for each awarded assistance agreement at time of award. None/Not specified. Division Chief
440 West 200 South, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84101 US
koliver@blm.gov
Phone: (801) 450-3134 https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation 14-1109-0-1-302 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$5,469,652.00; FY 23 est $3,800,000.00; FY 24 est $3,800,000.00; FY 21$1,338,216.00; FY 20$1,562,461.00; FY 19$4,004,982.00; FY 18$3,817,749.00; FY 17$8,267,453.00; - FY22 estimates $2.5M available through IIJA. Past partnership projects have ranged from $2000 to $552,400. Average amounts approximately $60,000 or less. BLM's recreation program is generally guided by provisions in 43 CFR Part 8000. A variety of public interest publications on these programs are available free of charge by contacting the appropriate State Office. Manuals providing basic program operational guidance for recreation (BLM Manual 8300 and 8400) may be obtained by contacting the Washington Office. Fiscal Year 2017 OR-Supported the Volunteer and Visitor Services, National Historic Oregon Trail Project; OR/WA-Public Awareness Campaign, Education and Outreach Project; WO-Stewardship and Outdoor Ethics Education Project; Continue supporting Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program; Youth Public Land Resource Management and Educations Partnerships; National Trails System Development; Citizen Science Wilderness Stewardship; and Recreation area Mountain Bike Trail Partnership.
Fiscal Year 2018 AK supported the Iditarod Partnership implementation of the trail comprehensive plan. CO supported the National Conservation Area Education and Outreach project. MT supported the Blackfoot River Recreation Management Project.
Fiscal Year 2019 Trail maintenance, reconstruction, and improvement projects along the 180 miles of Pacific Crest Trail on BLM lands in California. Establish and maintain an extensive network of roads and recreation trails in and around the City of Boise, Idaho. BLM, USFS, Ada County, the City of Boise, and private landowners formed a partnership to manage, develop, and protect public lands in the Boise Front in and around the City of Boise for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of this region. New Mexico Lands Information Center and Education Program to support the public lands Information Center in New Mexico in order to disseminate public land information, permitting, licensing and interpretive and educational services to the public in a single, centralized, location. National Trails System Development provides financial assistance to encourage and assist overall volunteerism and partnership operational support for trails that are Congressional designated under the National Trails System Act and for the system itself.
Fiscal Year 2020 ORWA Agate and Iceberg Lopez Island Visitor Services; ORWA Oregon Zoo S Urban Nature Overnights (UNO) Program; Orwa San Juan Islands Environmental Education; ORWA San Juan Islands Environmental Education; ORWA San Juan Islands Environmental Education; Expand And Improve the Guadalupe Ridge Trail in Southern New Mexico; Trail Maintenance And Trail Development on Public Land; CO Trail Maintenance And Trail Development on Public Land; National Tread Lightly! National Outdoor Recreation Through Ethics; National Trails System Development; National Canoemobile: Connecting Underserved Youth to Public Lands; CO: Education And Volunteer Stewardship; CO: Stewardship, Education, and Interpretive Activities; Youth Education and Community Science Program; Enhancing Visitor Experience on The Gold Belt Scenic; Cotoni-Coast Dairies Trail Design and Implementation; Tread Lightly California; National Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program; MT/DAk Western District Recreation Projects
Fiscal Year 2021 Increase and enhance access to public lands and waters; increase and enhance recreational opportunities; enhance public satisfaction at BLM recreation sites and areas; ensure the public receives fair market value for resources; and recover costs where appropriate; improve inventory, assessment and planning on public lands and waters; improve management, administration and monitoring of public lands and waters; provide enriched visitor services, information, interpretation and education; protect visitor health and safety; improve accessibility for persons with disabilities; Improve motorized and non-motorized trails including trail construction and maintenance, comprehensive travel and transportation inventory and assessment, planning management and monitoring; enhance community-supported partnerships in tourism and marketing; strengthen relationships with sovereign Tribal nations by elevating indigenous voices on our public lands through the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act; engage with diverse stakeholders and traditionally underserved populations to achieve a better understanding of how recreation contributes to their lives.
Fiscal Year 2022 The BLM will prioritize projects to support Administration and Department priorities, including projects to improve racial equity, diversity and inclusion; help strengthen the U.S. economy; minimize the risk and spread of COVID-19; and reduce impacts to the environment and climate. The BLM will also continue to prioritize implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act; the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. These projects will: 1) Encourage, facilitate, and improve partnership with and access for youth, tribes and underserved communities to public lands. 2) Improve climate resiliency on public lands while enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities and activities. 3) Improve public health and safety at developed recreation sites and areas by updating and modernizing infrastructure—including meeting accessibility standards for people with disabilities. 4) Invite increased recreational access for all Americans, especially for diverse populations and those near urban areas to encourage enjoyment of BLM-managed public lands and waters.
Fiscal Year 2023 The BLM prioritized projects that supported Administration and Department priorities, including projects that improved racial equity, diversity and inclusion; helped strengthen the U.S. economy; and reduced impacts to the environment and climate. The BLM also prioritized implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act; the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. These projects: 1) Encouraged, facilitated, and improved partnership with and access for youth, tribes and underserved communities to public lands; 2) Improved climate resiliency on public lands while enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities and activities; 3) Improved public health and safety at developed recreation sites and areas by updating and modernizing infrastructure-including meeting accessibility standards for people with disabilities; and 4) Invited increased recreational access for all Americans, especially for diverse populations and those near urban areas to encourage enjoyment of BLM-managed public lands and waters.