Summary

GAO assessed how well the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS) has administered the share of a fund established under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 which was spent for State and local outdoor recreation to evaluate the basis for making grants from the fund and to provide recommendations to help guide future public funding of park and recreational land facilities.

Under the act, these plans must establish a framework for identifying recreational demands and needs and provide a basis for funding projects. Improvements are needed in State planning methods and in project selection, approval, and funding. HCRS and States also need to develop methods to evaluate the effectiveness of projects financed through the fund as a basis for subsequent planning. Many grantees are becoming increasingly dependent on other Federal programs to help finance their share of the park and outdoor recreation facilities financed through the fund. Many State and local governments continue to request acquisition and development grants even though they are having difficulty operating and maintaining their existing park systems. The present trend of increased reliance on Federal support for operation and maintenance funds to help satisfy the act's matching requirements could lead to the Federal Government's providing most of the funds for State and local government park systems. GAO believes that this Federal financial commitment was not intended under the act. GAO agrees with the proposed budget cuts, because eliminating the State share would enable States to use funds earmarked for land acquisition and development for the operation and maintenance of existing systems.