Owners of the commonwealth’s more than 2,500 regulated dams may now apply for matching grants from the Virginia Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund.
A total of $10,632,500 is available for dam safety projects.
The fund is managed by the Virginia Resources Authority on behalf of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
“These grants will help recipients take necessary steps to protect lives and property, while making communities more resilient to flooding. We encourage eligible dam owners to apply, because dam safety is essential to public safety,” said DCR Director Matthew Wells.
Dam owners in Virginia are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of their dams. In the event of a failure, dam owners are responsible for any downstream damage.
All grants are reimbursements and require a 50% match. The maximum amount per grant will be determined based on amounts requested for eligible projects, application scores and available funds.
Requests must be submitted by 4 p.m., March 15, 2024.
Grants are offered in three project type categories:
Project Type 1: Unknown hazard dams
Up to $1 million is available for inspections, dam breach inundation studies, and emergency action plan development of local government or privately owned dams with an undetermined hazard classification. Applications to fund multiple projects may be submitted for the same dam.
For the following two categories, a total matching fund of $9,632,520 is available. Of that amount, $2 million is available for local government-owned or privately owned dams and $7,632,500 is available for privately owned high-hazard dams.
Project Type 2: Plans, specifications, engineering studies and instrumentation
Grants are available for local government or privately owned dams with approved, active Conditional Operation and Maintenance Certificates on file with DCR at the time of application. Applications for multiple projects may be submitted for the same dam.
Project Type 3: Dam repair, safety modifications or removal
Grants are available for both local government-owned and privately owned dams. These are limited to one application per dam, with maximum per project funding ranging from $62,500 up to $1 million depending on the dam’s hazard class and resulting Operations and Maintenance Certificate type (see the grant manual Table 1. Per-Project/Dam Request Cost-Share Maximums). Deferred maintenance is not eligible for funding.
Go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dam-safety-funding to download the grant manual and to register for grant training.
For more information, contact your regional dam safety engineer or email [email protected].
