12-3-8. Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 — Establishment of state assistance fund to provide matching funds for local recreational projects; limitations on use of fund; approval of projects by federal government.

The commissioner of natural resources, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized to establish a fund to be known as the state assistance fund which may be used to match federal, municipal, and county funds to acquire lands for recreational purposes and to improve, expand, develop, or construct outdoor recreation facilities. Such fund cannot be used to finance more than 25 percent of the total cost of each local project for such purpose, and each local authority improving, expanding, developing, or constructing such local outdoor recreation facilities shall be required to finance at least 25 percent of the total cost of each such project before any state funds can be utilized. No state funds shall be available to such local units unless such projects shall be approved by the federal government.