National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

CFDA 15.962 Active Cooperative Agreements
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$4M FY2026
$1.2M
FY17
$974K
FY18
$1.5M
FY19
$2.5M
FY20
$2.9M
FY21
$3.8M
FY22
$4M
FY23
$4M
FY24
$4M
FY25*
$4M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 1) Protecting the Wild and Scenic Delaware River: Funding is helping local organizations and communities work together to protect one of the nation’s most treasured river corridors. These efforts are preserving natural beauty, cultural heritage, and public access for generations to come.

2) Safeguarding River Values - Funding supports the implementation of river management plans that protect the ecological, scenic, and recreational values of the river. This includes reviewing local development plans and ordinances to ensure they align with conservation goals.

3) Preserving History and Culture - funding helps identify and protect historic buildings, sites, and landscapes along the river. These efforts ensure that the region’s rich cultural heritage is honored and shared with the public.

Program Objective

The objectives of this program are to assist, advise, and cooperate with States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private organizations, other federal agencies or authorized wild and scenic river management councils or committees to plan, protect, and manage river resources associated with those rivers designated into the National Wild and Scenic River system for which the Department of the Interior is authorized to act as the federal administrator.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Private nonprofits
  • State

States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private non-profit organizations, or duly authorized by a river’s enabling legislation wild and scenic river management councils or committees.

Beneficiaries

  • 16
  • 4

States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private non-profit organizations, other federal agencies or duly authorized by a river’s enabling legislation wild and scenic river management councils or committees.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Applicant coordinates with NPS and their river management council to prepare the cooperative agreement work plan.

Award Procedure

Proposals received in response announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.

Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact. Generally 30 – 120 days.

Program details & compliance

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

At present, funding provides for the long term protection, preservation, and enhancement of designated Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers and to implement each river’s comprehensive river management plan and enabling legislation.

Required Documentation

Determined at the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) level.

Authorized Wild and Scenic River management councils or committees must submit an annual work plan.

Reporting & Compliance

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Corita Waters
(202) 641-7377
National Wild and Scenic River National Park Service, Washington, DC 20240
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2025-09-08. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:36:33.