Dam Safety Grant Fund

The North Carolina Dam Safety Grant Fund is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, as part of the state’s broader Dam Safety Program. This program oversees more than 3,000 dams statewide and is focused on reducing risks associated with dam failure, including potential loss of life, property damage, and environmental harm. The grant fund was established through state legislation to provide financial assistance specifically for the rehabilitation of dams that pose significant safety risks, particularly high hazard structures. The primary purpose of the grant program is to fund rehabilitation activities defined as the repair, modification, or removal of dams to bring them into compliance with North Carolina dam safety standards. The program prioritizes projects that reduce risks to downstream populations and infrastructure, especially where deficiencies have already been identified through formal inspections. Funding is intended to address structural and hydrological issues, not routine maintenance or enhancements unrelated to safety, such as increasing storage capacity or hydropower generation. Eligible projects must address dams classified as high hazard, meaning failure could result in probable loss of human life. Additionally, dams must have unresolved Notices of Deficiency or Dam Safety Orders and must have sustained damage directly resulting from Hurricane Helene in a declared disaster area. Applications must include engineering plans prepared by a licensed North Carolina Professional Engineer, along with a detailed Opinion of Probable Cost outlining all anticipated expenses. Both construction-ready and design-construction projects are eligible, provided they meet all regulatory requirements and address identified deficiencies comprehensively. The grant covers the full cost of eligible rehabilitation activities, including construction, engineering services, and required permits at local, state, and federal levels. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to document expenses and comply with reporting and financial submission requirements. Projects must begin construction within one year of receiving a certificate of approval, unless an extension is granted. The program does not anticipate additional funding beyond the awarded amount, and all work must align with approved plans. The application process requires submission of a complete application form along with supporting documentation, including engineering plans, cost estimates, and inspection reports. Applications may be submitted electronically or via hard copy and must be received by the specified deadline. A checklist ensures that all required components are included, and incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants must certify the accuracy of their submission and confirm ownership of the dam. Applications are reviewed by the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources using a technical evaluation process that assesses eligibility, completeness, and the potential for risk reduction. Projects are ranked based on a risk-based priority system that considers both current conditions and anticipated improvements after rehabilitation. Additional evaluation factors include the applicant’s capacity to complete the project and compliance with regulatory standards. The program also uses modeling tools to estimate population-at-risk and incorporates these values into funding prioritization. The application window for the current cycle opens on February 18, 2026, and closes on June 19, 2026, with funding decisions expected to be announced on September 7, 2026. Applicants can direct inquiries to the Dam Safety Program via email or phone. This grant is part of a recurring state effort to mitigate dam safety risks and protect communities through targeted infrastructure investment.

Ensure all deficiencies are fully addressed and documented; include complete engineering plans and cost breakdowns; incomplete applications will not be considered