FEMA will commit $33 million for two funding opportunities to enhance dam safety efforts across the nation. These investments are intended to protect dams, help protect communities from flooding, avoid costs from future disasters, and strengthen resilience to climate change.

The allocations include $22 million for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program and approximately $11 million for the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program. Grants through the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program are available to non-federal governments and nonprofits for technical, planning, design, and construction assistance to rehabilitate eligible high hazard potential dams. The State Assistance Grant Program provides funds to establish and maintain effective state programs that ensure dam safety and protect human life and property. In a state or territory with an enacted dam safety program, the state administrative agency or an equivalent state agency is eligible to apply. The application period for the fiscal year 2022 funding opportunities opened May 16, with a deadline to apply of July 15. When announcing the funding, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell remarked, “With the increase of both extreme storms and downstream populations, the safety of America’s dams is paramount to the resilience of our neighborhoods. FEMA is committed to providing funding dedicated to maintaining and strengthening dams that pose severe risks to vulnerable communities.” Read more at FEMA.