Dam Repair Assistance Grant Program

The Dam Repair Assistance Grant Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) through its Dam Safety Program. This initiative is supported by state appropriations totaling 3 million dollars across fiscal years 2024 through 2026 and is designed to provide financial assistance to dam owners for projects that improve public safety. The program focuses specifically on High and Significant Hazard dams regulated under the South Carolina Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act. These dams pose potential risks to downstream communities, and the program aims to reduce or eliminate those risks by supporting repair, alteration, or removal efforts. The primary objective of the grant is to mitigate risks associated with structurally deficient dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards. Funding is available for both non-construction and construction activities. Eligible non-construction activities include preparedness planning, engineering design, feasibility studies, risk assessments, and public outreach. Construction-related funding can support repair, rehabilitation, or removal of dams, including associated engineering oversight and project management. However, the program excludes activities that do not directly reduce risk, such as aesthetic improvements or routine maintenance. This is a cost-sharing grant program with a default requirement that recipients contribute 50 percent of project costs, either through direct funding or in-kind contributions. In cases where applicants demonstrate financial hardship, the state share may increase to 75 percent, reducing the recipient’s required contribution to 25 percent. Matching funds must not originate from other state sources and must be used for eligible project costs. Pre-award costs are not reimbursable but may qualify as in-kind contributions if properly documented and approved. Eligibility for the program is limited to owners of dams that meet specific criteria. The dam must be regulated by SCDES, classified as High or Significant Hazard, and either have a condition rating of Poor or Unsatisfactory or a documented safety deficiency identified by a licensed engineer. Eligible applicants include individuals, private entities, nonprofits, and governmental bodies, provided they can demonstrate ownership, tax compliance, and, where applicable, proper organizational standing. Dams that are exempt from regulation or classified as Low Hazard are not eligible. Applications must be submitted as a complete package via email, mail, or in person. Required components include the official application form, a detailed project timeline with milestones, a comprehensive budget, proof of ownership, and supporting documentation such as covenants or bylaws when applicable. Construction projects require additional documentation, including an engineer-certified cost estimate and a preliminary engineering report. Applicants may submit only one application per dam per funding cycle. The selection process involves two stages: an eligibility screening followed by a ranking evaluation. Applications that meet all eligibility and submission requirements are evaluated based on clarity, completeness, and technical merit, including the degree of risk reduction achieved by the proposed project. Final award decisions are made at the sole discretion of SCDES. The program also includes a structured review of project budgets to determine final award amounts and matching requirements. For Funding Cycle 2, the application period closed at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on May 4, 2026. The program is expected to recur based on available funding and prior cycles, with funds remaining from earlier allocations used for subsequent rounds. Planning and engineering projects have a one-year period of performance, while construction projects may extend up to three years. Applicants are encouraged to monitor future announcements from SCDES for upcoming funding opportunities and updates to program requirements.

Ensure complete and clear application components; emphasize measurable risk reduction; include strong engineering justification; verify all eligibility criteria before submission