National Dam Safety Program

Program objective

National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) State Assistance improves the safety of dams in the United States and strives to achieve the key objective of “dam safety and dam risk reduction.” This grant program implements the Department of Homeland Security and Presidential Preparedness Directive (PPD)-8 objective of hazard mitigation, to develop and maintain those capabilities necessary to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of the failure of dams. The program objectives are: 1. Reduce risks to life and property associated with dams; 2. Increase 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

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓Department or Agency of a U.S. Territorial Government
• ✓U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)
• ✓U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• ✓Territorial
• ✓State
• ✓Department or Agency of a U.S. State Government

States with an approved state dam safety program. For a State to be eligible for assistance under this subsection, a State dam safety program must be working toward meeting the following criteria and budgeting requirement: (A) State dam safety program must be authorized by State legislation to include, at a minimum—(i) the authority to review and approve plans and specifications to construct, enlarge, modify, remove, and abandon dams;(ii) the authority to perform periodic inspections during dam construction to ensure compliance with approved plans and specifications; (iii) a requirement that, on completion of dam construction, State approval must be given before operation of the dam; (iv) the authority to require or perform periodic evaluations of all dams and reservoirs to determine the extent of the threat to human life and property in case of failure; (v)(I) the authority to require or perform the inspection, at least once every 5 years, of all dams and reservoirs that would pose a significant threat to human life and property in case of failure to determine the continued safety of the dams and reservoirs; and (II) a procedure for more detailed and frequent safety inspections; (vi) a requirement that all inspections be performed under the supervision of a State-registered professional engineer with related experience in dam design and construction; (vii) the authority to issue notices, when appropriate, to require owners of dams to perform necessary maintenance or remedial work, install and monitor instrumentation, improve security, revise operating procedures, or take other actions, including breaching dams when necessary; (viii) regulations for carrying out the legislation of the State described in this subparagraph; (ix) provision for necessary funds (I) to ensure timely repairs or other changes to, or removal of, a dam in order to protect human life and property; and (II) if the owner of the dam does not take action described in subclause (I), to take appropriate action as expeditiously as practicable; (x) a system of emergency procedures to be used if a dam fails or if the failure of a dam is imminent; and (xi) an identification of (I) each dam the failure of which could be reasonably expected to endanger human life; (II) the maximum area that could be flooded if the dam failed; and (III) necessary public facilities that would be affected by the flooding. (B) Budgeting requirement. For a State to be eligible for assistance under this subsection, State appropriations must be budgeted to carry out the legislation of the State under subparagraph (A). The state must also enter into an agreement with the Administrator that the State will maintain the aggregate expenditures of the State from all other sources for programs to ensure dam safety for the protection of human life and property at or above a level equal to the average annual level of such expenditures for the 2 fiscal years preceding the fiscal year. The term "State" means each of the several 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.

Intended beneficiaries: U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia), Territorial, U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states) and State.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions