Since 1949, over 1,400 properties comprising over 156,000 acres have been transferred to State and local governments for park and recreation purposes, and approximately 130 properties for historic purposes. In fiscal year 2004, 25 properties (3,494 acres) were transferred for park and recreation purposes through the Federal Lands to Parks Program.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Surplus real property may be conveyed for public park and recreation use at discounts up to 100 percent of fair market value and for historic purposes without monetary consideration.

Property conveyed for park and recreation use or historic purposes must be used for these purposes in perpetuity or be reverted to Federal ownership.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Only State or local units of government are eligible to apply for surplus real property for public park and recreation and historic purposes, and must agree to manage the property in the public interest and for public use (in the case of park and recreation purposes).

Only properties listed in or eligible for listing the National Register of Historic Places may be transferred through the Historic Surplus Property Program.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Only State or local units of government are eligible to apply for surplus real property for public park and recreation and historic purposes, and must agree to manage the property in the public interest and for public use (in the case of park and recreation purposes). Property conveyed for historic purposes may under certain circumstances be used for revenue-producing activities to support the historic property, and such activities may be eligible for Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives.

Credentials/Documentation

The applicant must submit an application, proposed program of use for the property and evidence of its ability to finance the program. Additionally, applicants under the Historic Surplus Property Program must submit an architectural plan. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Park and recreation and historic applications are coordinated by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and the General Services Administration, or in the case of legislated military base closures, the Department of Defense and its military components.

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.

A-102 and E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Applications for park and recreation use and historic uses are submitted to the appropriate National Park Service Regional Office. Application forms are issued by the National Park Service. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.

Award Procedures

Upon approval of a park and recreation application, the National Park Service will request GSA or DOD military service, in the case of base closures, to assign the property to the Secretary of the Interior for transfer. Upon assignment by DOD or GSA, the National Park Service will transfer the property to the applicant, in the case of park and recreation transfers. Historic transfers are made by GSA or DOD.

Deadlines

The National Park Service (or an eligible applicant for a historic monument transfer) must notify the General Services Administration within 20 calendar days after the date of the notice of determination of surplus if it has an eligible applicant interested in acquiring the property, or otherwise comply with the DOD Base Realignment and Closure planning and disposal schedules. For a park and recreation transfer, the National Park Service must request assignment of property from GSA within 25 calendar days after the expiration of the 20 day period, or otherwise comply with DOD Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) planning and disposal schedules. For a historic monument transfer, GSA or the DOD military service, in the case of base closures, deeds the property directly to the approved applicant.

Authorization

40 U.S.C. 550(b), (e), and (h), Public Law 107-217, originally under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, Section 203(k), 63 Stat. 385 as amended, 40 U.S.C. 484, Public Law 91-485; Federal Lands for Parks and Recreation, 16 U.S.C. 4601-5.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 3 to 6 months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

None.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Recipients of surplus properties are required to submit biennial compliance reports on the use of the property.

Audits

The National Park Service conducts periodic on-site compliance inspections to assure that the properties are being utilized for the purposes for which they are conveyed. Properties in noncompliance may be reverted back to the Federal Government.

Records

The National Park Service maintains official records concerning the property.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1042-0-1-303.

Obigations

Federal Lands to Parks: FY 07 $556,000; FY 08 $565,000; and FY 09 est $575,000. Historic Monuments: FY 07 $145,000; FY 08 $150,000; and FY 09 est $150,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

None.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

"The Federal Lands to Parks Program," 1997 brochure (no charge), "Historic Surplus Property Program," 1998 brochure published by the National Park Service (no charge), "Disposal of Surplus Real Property," booklet published by the General Service Administration (no charge). 40 U.S.C. 550(b), (e), and (h), Public Law 107-217.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Applicants for historic purposes are requested to contact the following National Park Service Offices: the Alaska Support Office; Intermountain Region-Santa Fe Office; Midwest Region; Northeast Region-Philadelphia Office; Pacific West Region-Seattle Office; or the Southeast Region. (See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.) Applicants for parks and recreation purposes should contact the National Park Service Offices: Northeast Region, Boston, MA office; Southeast Region, Atlanta, GA; Western Region, Oakland, CA.

Headquarters Office

National Park Service, Heritage Preservation Services, Historic Surplus Property Program, 1849 C Street, N.W., (Org. Code 2255), Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Gary Sachau, Telephone (202) 354-2044. National Park Service, Recreation Programs Division, Federal Lands to Parks Program, 1849 C Street N.W., Org. Code 2225, Program Contacts: Michael D. Wilson and Wendy Ormant, Telephone: (202) 354-6915.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Suitability of real property for the proposed use and the ability of the applicant unit of government to carry out the proposed program of use.