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The year 2002 was a year of change for the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Grant Administration. A major change was that the Department finally has a single home for all its many offices. We now are located in our new building at the north end of the Illinois State Fairgrounds at One Natural Resources Way. The building was formally dedicated last October 22. Everyone is invited to stop in and visit us or others in the Department and take a tour of the building the next time you are in Springfield. The biggest change, surprise and lesson well-learned for all of us was the attack on the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program brought about by the state's weakened economic condition. Many tough decisions had to be made during the 2002 spring legislative session because of serious revenue shortfalls. Although the Department, like all agencies, had to absorb cuts in our "General Revenue" fund spending, we felt relatively secure about our local agency outdoor recreation grant programs because most of them are funded through a dedicated funding source based on an established funding formula. Well, as Gomer Pyle used to say, "Surprise, surprise!" The General Assembly at the last minute (and I do mean minute) passed legislation (HB 539) reducing the fixed funding formula for the OSLAD program. Previously, 35 percent of the revenue derived from the state's Real Estate Transfer Tax was deposited in the OSLAD fund. This amounted to a steady stream of approximately $20 to $22 million annually for grants to local
January/February 2003 41
agencies for public park and recreation projects. The passage of HB 539 reduced the percentage of funds allocated to the OSLAD program to 20 percent of revenues derived. This amounts to a staggering 40 percent reduction in the size of the program. What was expected to be a $22 million grant program in 2002 turned out to be $13 million. Many worthwhile projects had to be turned down for funding assistance because of this unexpected cut. While the DNR in past years was able to fund approximately 55 percent of the applications submitted, this past year the success rate went down to 45 percent. In addition to revising the formula that reduced the amount of revenue directed to the OSLAD program, the legislature also targeted $29 million of the program's outstanding "unexpended" grant obligations and redirected that money to the general revenue fund to meet current budget shortfalls. In layman's terms, where this money came from was the large amount of unexpended grant dollars that exist from previously approved projects that have not been completed and paid out. A lesson learned! The Department, as well as local grant recipients, must be much more diligent in completing approved projects and expending these funds in a timely manner. As such, local agencies should take notice that the Department will no longer routinely approve project extensions for completing approved grant projects. This will apply to all DNR grant programs, not just OSLAD. When making an application to the DNR for grant assistance, local agencies assure the Department that proposed projects are ready to go. Therefore, the time period allowed to complete approved projects should be more than adequate: two full construction seasons for development projects and one year for land acquisition projects that do not involve eminent domain proceedings. In the future, it will be critical that projects submitted for DNR grant consideration are ready to proceed immediately if grant funding is approved. Another unknown at the time of this writing is the impact of a new governor and administration on DNR operations. It is hoped that the commitment to protecting and providing quality public outdoor recreation and conservation areas at both the state and local level through various grant programs will continue to be a high priority for Illinois. The many benefits and uses of the outstanding public recreation and conservation areas in Illinois-and the grant programs that help fund many of them-must continue to be highlighted to our elected officials. As we continue to travel around the state and be exposed to the vast array of outdoor recreation facilities being provided, we never cease to be amazed by the quality and diversity of recreation amenities provided by the many local recreation agencies in the state. You all should be very proud of your efforts. OSLAD / LWCF Program Great news! Senate Bill 1809 was signed by the governor on January 3, 2003. At the federal level, funding for the renewed stateside portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) seems to have leveled off at the $144 to $154 million range
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nationally, which equates to approximately $4 to $5 million annually for Illinois. These two programs, when coupled together, should provide $17 to $18 million in funding for local outdoor recreation grant projects. Agencies contemplating an application for OSLAD/LWCF assistance are encouraged to contact DNR grant staff to discuss project potentials and the types of proposals best suited for program funding. This helps ensure project competitiveness. The due date for OSLAD/LWCF applications to the Department is July 1 of each year. Illinois Trails Programs Another casualty of the state's fiscal woes in the coming year is the state's Bicycle Path grant program. Funding for this program is expected to be no more than $2.5 million, down 17 percent from last year's $3 million funding level. This reduction is very unfortunate given the growing popularity and need for additional long-distance bike paths in Illinois. Demand for funding assistance through this program typically far exceeds available dollars by 2.5 or 3 to 1. The expected funding cut will just further exacerbate this situation. Grant funding for other recreational trail development such as mountain hiking, equestrian and hiking-available through the federal Recreational Trails Program— should remain similar to the past several years at approximately $1 million. This popular trails funding program can provide up to 80 percent grant assistance on approved projects. Funding for motorized trail development available through the state's Local Government Snowmobile and Off-highway Recreation Trails grant programs should remain constant at approximately $600,000 annually. The application due date for the various Illinois Trail Grant Programs is March 1 of each year with the exception of the snowmobile program, which is May 1. Open Land Trust Program Authorization for this popular land acquisition program, championed by Governor George Ryan, expired in 2002. This program, enacted in 1999, provided a "minimum" of $10 million annually for local open space preservation projects. During the Ryan administration this program provided just under $64 million for 63 local projects to preserve more than 8,700 acres of land for preservation and resource-based outdoor recreation use. Unless the General Assembly and new governor vote to extend this program or a similar initiative, funding for natural resource-based recreation lands available through the Open Land Trust (OLT) program for the past four years will no longer be available. However, there is strong interest by many recreation and land preservation constituency groups, including the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, to lobby for continuation of this popular program. Boat Access Area Development Program Funding for this program to assist local units of government acquire and develop lands for public access areas to Illinois surface waters remains disappointing. For 2003, it is anticipated that funding will continue to be in the $700,000 range; grossly insufficient to meet local needs. Demand is typically three to four times more than the amount of available funds. Expansion of this program continues to be a priority for concerned interest groups as voiced through Conservation Congress but, to date, no increase in program funding has been achieved. The application due date for this program is September 1 of each year. A major aspiration for most people is to find and work at a job or profession they enjoy. I can't imagine too many professions that are more enjoyable and fulfilling than parks and recreation. No, we may not live in the biggest house or drive the finest cars, but we can go to bed at night with the satisfaction of knowing that we"ve helped make life and this world a little bit better. Yes, like any job there are stressful and frustrating moments but, on the whole, to work in a profession where the objective is to help people "take time for fun" is a true blessing. This enjoyment of a job is borne out by the length of tenure or stability achieved by most of the staff within the Division of Grant Administration. This job satisfaction, in part, is directly related to our opportunity to work with such dedicated local agencies and professionals as yourselves and, in some small way, be involved with the wide variety of outstanding recreation facilities being provided statewide. It is truly an honor and privilege. Keep up the good work! Mark Yergler is the former chief grant administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He retired December 31, 2002. Link to 2003 AND FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR PARKS, RECREATION, CONSERVATION LANDS & FACILITIES
January/Febuary 43 The OSLAD Legacy by Mark Yergler The legacy of the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program began in 1985 when the Illinois General Assembly authorized the program and appropriated funding as part of former Governor Thompson's "Build Illinois Program." This action was a direct response to dwindling federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) coming to the state to address ever increasing local outdoor recreation needs. Although $40 million was authorized over a five-year period, only $22.6 million was actually appropriated. Therefore, in 1989 in order to help ensure a more predicable and stable funding level for the program, Public Act 86-925 was signed into law dedicating a portion of the revenue derived from the state's Real Estate Transfer Tax for the OSLAD program. As all of you should know, the Illinois Association of Park Districts and members of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association were very instrumental in the passage of this landmark legislation. The benefits of OSLAD can be seen all across Illinois, from the smallest community in downstate Illinois to all corners of the Chicago metropolitan area. Rural communities of fewer than 200 people as well as the 2.5 million residents of Chicago have benefitted from the program. A wide variety of local outdoor recreation facilities have been assisted. Small neighborhood parks and tot lots, community parks offering a wide arrav of recreation amenities, sport complexes, swimming pools and large aquatic centers, as well as pristine nature study areas exist throughout Illinois as a direct result of the OSLAD program.
Following is a brief synopsis of OSLAD accomplishments since its inception in 1986. • $174.6 million has been allocated to 981 local outdoor recreation projects (177 land acquisition projects totaling $46.3 million and 804 development (construction) projects totaling $128.3 million in grant assistance). • This state investment has stimulated more than $350 million in public expenditures for public outdoor recreation and open space. • 8,430 acres of land have been acquired and preserved in the public domain. • Competition for available OSLAD funds always is high. Over the past five years 764 applications have been submitted requesting $155.7 million in assistance; an average demand level of approximately $31.14 million per year. During that period, OSLAD funds totaling $92.1 million ($18.4 million per year average) have been allocated to 413 of those projects, a success rate of nearly 55 percent of the applications submitted. While much has been accomplished and the DNR is very proud of results achieved, none of us involved with helping provide public recreation areas can sit back and rest on our laurels. Demand for additional close-to-home recreation and open space areas continue to grow. Increased funding for the popular OSLAD program is vital if Illinois is to keep pace. The cost of providing both the diversity and quality of outdoor recreation areas demanded by the public far exceeds the growth of local tax resources. As previous figures have shown, nearly half of the project proposals submitted each year go unfunded. In addition, grant limitations imposed by DNR to help stretch available OSLAD dollars ($750,000 limit on approved acquisition projects and $400,000 for construction projects) oftentimes amounts to less than 25 percent of total project costs. This places an increased burden on local tax dollars. Consequently, all parties concerned must continue to advocate for adequate OSLAD funding, produce quality results with funds that are made available, and actively involve and acknowledge state legislators when OSLAD-assisted park and conservation areas are developed. Mark Yergler is the former chief grant administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 46 Illinois Parks and Recreation |
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