National Dam Safety Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Completion of dam inspections performed including High Hazard Potential dams.
State delivery of dam safety training to governmental entities and private dam owners.
Professional development for state Dam Safety officials – attendance at annual technical seminars and conferences.
Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant program:
The completion of detailed risk assessment of eligible high hazard potential dams to better understand the potential failure consequences as well as the probabilities associated with each potential failure mode.
The completion of H&H analysis and engineering design for a high hazard dam to reconstruct or rehabilitate the service and emergency spillways.
The completion of alternatives analyzes for dam rehabilitation to meet state H&H requirements including three rehabilitation alternatives with conceptual design and probable cost.
Program Objective
Both the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) state assistance grant and the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant programs improve the safety of dams in the United States and strive to achieve the key objective of “ dam safety and dam risk reduction”.
Both grant programs implement the Department of Homeland Security and Presidential Preparedness Directive (PPD)-8 objective of hazard mitigation, to develop and maintain those capabilities necessary to reduce the loss of lives and property by lessening the impact of the failure of dams.
NDSP State Assistance Grant Program (NDSP-SA): The NDSP-SA accomplishes this objective by supporting state and U.S. territory governments in the establishment and maintenance of effective State programs intended to ensure dam safety, protect human life and property, and increase the capacity and capability of State dam safety programs.
High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant Program: The HHPD grant program accomplishes this objective by providing funding to state and U.S. territory governments for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams that fail to meet minimum state dam safety standards and pose unacceptable risk to life and property.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Government (general)
NDSP State Assistance Grant Program: For a State to be eligible for assistance under the NDSP program, the state must be working toward and/or developing a dam safety program that 1) is authorized and budgeted by State legislation and 2) includes, at a minimum, the 10 specified criteria and budgeting requirements outlined in the program guidance. For complete information, refer to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY 2022 National Dam Safety Program.
HHPD Grant Program: For a state to be eligible for assistance under the HHPD program, the state must submit a list of all eligible dams in that state. For each eligible dam, the state must submit official documentation that the dam owner has been notified of the deficiencies and unacceptable risk to the public that make the dam eligible for HHPD grant funding. Official documentation must be on official state or state dam safety program letterhead and may include official citations issued from the state dam safety program to the dam owner. See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY 2022 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) for specific details. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Beneficiaries
- 4
- 5
The State Dam Safety Program Office of eligible States.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov.
Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.
Award Procedure
Applications for the NDSP State Assistance Grant Program are reviewed by FEMA Regional Office program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.
Applications for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) are reviewed by FEMA Headquarters program and administrative staff. FEMA makes the award to the State Administrative Agency (SAA).
Program details & compliance
Description
National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) state assistance grant:
The purpose of the NDSP State Assistance grants is the establishment and maintenance of effective State programs intended to ensure dam safety, to protect human life and property, and to improve State dam safety programs. The program objectives are: 1. Reduce risks to life and property associated with dams; 2. increased awareness of the risks associated with dams and the benefit of state dam safety programs; and 3. Advance the state of practice of dam safety and dam risk management.
Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant:
FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) is committed to protecting lives and property from the risks associated with dams. The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program (HHPD) makes available federal funds to eligible states for pass through to non-Federal governmental organizations or nonprofit organizations for the rehabilitation of dams that fail to meet minimum dam safety standards and pose unacceptable risk to life and property. For the purposes of the HHPD Program, rehabilitation means the repair, replacement, reconstruction, or removal of a dam that is carried out to meet applicable state dam safety and security standards. Given the requirements of this grant (e.g. National Flood Insurance Program participation, state and local hazard mitigation plans, floodplain management plan, risk prioritization, state dam safety agency approval of the award), applicants must pursue this grant in coordination with the State Dam Safety Officer and the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, regardless of which entity will implement the grant. Contact information for the State Hazard Mitigation Officers (SHMOs) is provided on the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/state-hazard-mitigation-officers.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
For costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of effective State dam safety programs. Restrictions: Funds may only be used for the purposes set forth in the grant and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds must be used in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Funds may not be used for matching funds for other Federal grants or cooperative agreements. Funds may not be used for lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. Funds awarded under this grant may not be used to construct or repair any Federal or non-Federal dam. In addition, funds may not be used to sue the Federal government or any other government entity. Federal employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any proposal submitted under this program. Federal employees may not receive funds under this award. Pre-award costs are allowable only with the written consent of DHS and such costs must be reflected in the award agreement. For complete information on Uses and Restrictions, refer to program guidance. Eligible applicants are States, as defined by the National Dam Safety Program Act. This includes the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States that has a legislated dam safety program. Eligible states and territories must be working toward and/or developing a State dam safety program that is 1) authorized and budgeted by State or territory legislation and 2) includes, at a minimum, the 10 specified criteria and budgeting requirements outlined in the program guidance. For complete information regarding applicant eligibility and the 10 specified criteria and budgeting requirements refer to program guidance. The grant is intended to encourage dam safety through assisting States to develop and establish effective dam safety programs. Funding provided is for approved State Dam Safety Program activities.The grant is intended to encourage dam safety through assisting States to develop and establish effective dam safety programs. Funding provided is for approved State Dam Safety Program activities.
Required Documentation
NDSP State Assistance Grant Program: For a State to be eligible for assistance under the NDSP program, the state must be working toward and/or developing a dam safety program that 1) is authorized and budgeted by State legislation and 2) includes, at a minimum, the 10 specified criteria and budgeting requirements outlined in the program guidance. For complete information, refer to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY 2021 National Dam Safety Program. Rehabilitation of HHPD Grant Program: For a state to be eligible for assistance under the HHPD program, the state must submit a list of all eligible dams in that state. For each eligible dam, the state must submit official documentation that the dam owner has been notified of the deficiencies and unacceptable risk to the public that make the dam eligible for HHPD grant funding. Official documentation must be on official state or state dam safety program letterhead and may include official citations issued from the state dam safety program to the dam owner. See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY 2021 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) for specific details.
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
Formula
National Dam Safety Program Act