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8 <br /> noted that everyone who had taken a part in any capacity in <br /> the process should be recognized. <br /> Kathy White, Department of Natural Resources and Community <br /> Development, stated that she would speak to the importance of <br /> the park and recreation master plan, to having an adequate <br /> leisure service system and to the state funding of park and <br /> recreation areas. She continued that NRCD administers the <br /> Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF Program) which is a <br /> federal grant program providing grants to local units of <br /> government for acquisition and development of outdoor <br /> recreation areas and facilities. In North Carolina, each <br /> project submitted for LWCF funding is evaluated, rated and <br /> ranked by established criteria and a point system. If the <br /> Comprehensive Master Plan is adequate it will directly or <br /> indirectly increase the points given to every question in the <br /> grant rating system. She noted that the most points can be <br /> awarded in the planning consideration section of the <br /> evaluation. Points are given to a project according to the <br /> extent the applicant has planned parks and recreation. <br /> Additional points are given to the applicant when the <br /> governing body has formally adopted the plan. She stated <br /> that a Comprehensive Master Plan shows the services available <br /> for the citizens and is a planning tool to avoid duplication <br /> of services. Each project is scored according to its <br /> relationship to existing, complimentary and competing <br /> recreation opportunities. An adequate master plan will guide <br /> the proper selection of programs and activities and the <br /> proper placement of the facilities. The questions used to <br /> evaluate each grant proposal are: (1) To what extent is the <br /> site suitable for the intended development; (2) Is access to <br /> the site adequate; and (3) To what extent is the site <br /> enhanced or hindered by its location and by the effects of <br /> the adjacent properties. If a sound comprehensive recreation <br /> and parks plan is adopted and implemented it is obvious how a <br /> proposed project would receive the highest possible scores <br /> for these questions. Thus, County parks can be on suitable <br /> sites with good access for users, the parks will be good <br /> neighbors and adjacent properties will not negatively affect <br /> the park. Proper placement of facilities also assures <br /> compatible uses, more efficient maintenance and the most <br /> potential revenue. <br /> Next is the administrative consideration section of the <br /> scoring. The same administrative considerations are <br /> addressed in the comprehensive plan, such as staffing, <br /> support services, adequate financing, etc. Ms. White noted <br /> that her objective has been to share the direct correlation <br /> between comprehensive planning and the granting of LWCF funds <br /> in North Carolina. She challenged the Board to adopt the <br /> Plan, use it as a funding tool to determine where the county <br /> will spend its development and acquisition dollars for parks <br /> and recreation, make it the management and planning tool and <br /> guide that it can be and not a dust collector. It should <br /> allow flexibility to initiate new concepts and implement new <br />