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As of May 1, 2025, the application period for the State Fiscal Year 2025 (SFY25) Dam Repair Assistance Grant Program is officially open. 

The SCDES Dam Safety Program has released its official Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting application documents for prospective applicants to review and use to develop their grant applications. The application deadline is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. It is crucial that interested applicants ensure the SCDES Dam Safety Program has a current and accurate e-mail address on file and check their e-mail accounts regularly to not miss any future announcements or updates from SCDES on this grant. 

Notice of Funding Opportunity Documents: 

Please note that some program guidelines, including eligibility requirements, have been revised with the release of this NOFO. Effective May 1, 2025, the following changes have been made and the program requirements outlined in the previously released guidelines and webinar presentation are no longer valid. Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the most up-to-date program guidance:  

  • Government entities are now eligible to apply. All owners of High and Significant Hazard Potential dams can now apply for this grant program; 
  • Dams that create a source of revenue are now eligible dams;  
  • Dams built under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (PL-566 watershed conservation district dams) are now eligible dams; 
  • Dams where the owner has taxing authority are now eligible dams;  
  • The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) requirement has been modified such that all Recipients are required to develop an up-to-date EAP in the Department’s current format, and receive Department approval thereof, to receive funds under a Grant Award.  The Department will accept alternative formats that it determines are at least equivalent to the Department’s format.  Dam owners whose EAPs are fully up-to-date (i.e., all information is current) and in the Department’s current format will meet this requirement from the outset;   
  • The following changes have been made to the application requirements: 
  • Added a Certificate of Compliance from both the Internal Revenue Service and SC Department of Revenue; 
  • Added that the tax map ID #(s) for the property(ies) encompassing the dam and all appurtenant works must be included in the Project Narrative; 
  • Added a letter stating that all dam owners are in support of the project, cosigned by all dam owners (only applicable to dams with multiple owners); and 
  • Removed the requirement to have an EAP or an assurance statement to have an EAP developed within 12 months of award at the time of application. 
  • Added a requirement for construction projects that the Engineer shall submit a statement assessing the adequacy of any risk-reduction measures already in place at the dam and recommendations for any additional measures, if needed. Added that the risk reduction measures recommended by Engineer must be kept in place throughout the project as a condition of award acceptance.  

 

Grant Overview 

Budget Proviso 55.24 (DES: Dam Repair Assistance) has made state funds available for SFY25 to provide cost-sharing grants to correct dam deficiencies identified by SCDES for High and Significant Hazard potential dams regulated under the Dams and Reservoir Safety Act. For SFY25, SCDES plans to solicit applications from eligible applicants for pre-construction and construction efforts associated with dam rehabilitations and removals for eligible High and Significant Hazard dams in South Carolina. SCDES plans to award $1.5 million in grant funds for the first year of this pilot program.

 

Eligible Dams 

In order to be considered eligible for funding under this grant program, a dam must:  

  • Be regulated by the SCDES Dam Safety Program; 
  • Have a Hazard Potential Classification of “High” or “Significant”; and 
  • Have a Condition Assessment Rating of “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory” as identified by SCDES, or where a Dam Safety Deficiency (see “Dam Safety Deficiency” in Definitions) has been identified by an Engineer (see “Engineer” in Definitions) that was not revealed in a Preliminary Inspection performed by the Department. 
    • If your dam did not receive a Condition Assessment Rating of “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory,” it is not automatically ineligible. For example, if you are able to provide evidence of a Dam Safety Deficiency identified by an Engineer for a dam with a “Fair” condition rating but meeting all other eligibility requirements, then the application may be considered eligible.   

The following types of dams are not eligible for funding:  

  • Dams exempt from state regulation under the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act and Regulations; and, 
  • Low Hazard Potential dams (see “Low Hazard Potential” in Definitions).  

A map of all SCDES state regulated dams is also available for reference.  

 

Webinar 

On April 9, 2025, the SCDES Dam Safety Program hosted an initial informational webinar on the SFY25 Dam Repair Assistance Grant. A recording of the webinar as well as the transcript of it is available alongside the presentation slides.

Please note that as of May 1, 2025, information in this webinar concerning eligibility and application requirements is outdated. Applicants should refer to the NOFO for the most up-to-date program guidance.

 

Questions?

E-mail Brittany.Felder@des.sc.gov and the Dam Safety Program staff will provide assistance.