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As of May 1, 2025, the application period for the Dam Repair Assistance Grant Program is officially open.  

The SCDES Dam Safety Program released its official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and supporting application documents for prospective applicants to review and use to develop their grant applications on May 1, 2025. SCDES has released a revised version of this NOFO containing important changes to the program requirements. A video presentation, a transcript of it, and its' accompanying presentation slides have been provided to give an overview of the Revision 1 Changes. In order to give potential applicants sufficient time to review the changes in Revision 1 of the NOFO and revise their applications accordingly, the application deadline has been officially extended to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. It is crucial that interested applicants ensure the SCDES Dam Safety Program has a current and accurate email address on file and check their email accounts regularly to not miss any future announcements or updates from SCDES on this grant.  

Notice of Funding Opportunity Documents:  

Please note that the program requirements have been revised with the release of Revision 1 of this NOFO. Effective July 18, 2025, the following changes have been made and the program requirements outlined in the previously released NOFO and webinar presentation have been updated as follows. Please refer to the NOFO, dated August 1, 2025, for the most up-to-date program requirements:   

  1. Updated funding available for grant awards from $1.5 million to $3 million to reflect the SFY26 budget approval; 

  2. Extended the application deadline from 5:00 PM on July 1, 2025, to 5:00 PM on September 2, 2025; 

  3. Dams that do not have a “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory” condition rating are now required to provide an Engineer’s Report in order to be eligible; 

  4. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations are exempt from demonstrating that they are not delinquent on any local, state, or federal taxes; 

  5. The requirement for all dam owners to demonstrate support for the project is no longer applicable to dam removal projects; 

  6. The Recipient’s cash match cannot come from another state source of funds; 

  7. Certain pre-award in-kind contributions are now eligible as the Recipient’s match requirement; 

  8. The “Simultaneous Co-Funded” payment policy option is now available for Recipients with a financial hardship determination; 

  9. Added requirement for construction projects to maintain the same PE for the duration of the project; 

  10. The Cost Estimate is now part of the Detailed Budget application requirement. Please note that, for construction project applications, a cost estimate prepared and signed by an Engineer is still required; 

  11. IRS Tax Compliance Report and SCDOR Certificate of Compliance are no longer required for tax-exempt non-profit organizations; 

  12. IRS Determination Letter and SCDOR Certificate of Existence are now required for tax-exempt non-profit organizations; 

  13. The letter stating that all dam owners are in support of the project, cosigned by all dam owners, is no longer required for dam removal projects; 

  14. An Engineer’s Report is now required for dams without a “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory” condition assessment rating; 

  15. The EAP requirement is no longer applicable to dam removal projects or projects that result in the exemption of a dam; 

  16. State agencies and political subdivisions are required to follow their own procurement codes; 

  17. Procurement requirements for non-governmental entities have been added; 

  18. Procurement is now required for Professional Services, including engineering, if the state share will exceed $50,000; 

  19. Added requirements for sealed bidding; 

  20. Added requirements for bid protests; 

  21. Added bond requirements for construction contracts; 

  22. Added insurance, standard of performance, and compliance with laws requirements for contractors and Professional Engineers; 

  23. Added non-indemnification clause; 

  24. Added requirements for change orders; and 

  25. Recipients are required to make records available to SCDES for inspection and audit at any time. 

  26. Added Attachment F – Procedures for Dispute Resolution. 

Grant Overview  

Budget Proviso 55.24 (DES: Dam Repair Assistance) has made state funds available 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. The SFY26 State Budget has increased the total amount of state funds available for grant awards under the Dam Repair Assistance Grant Program from $1.5 million to $3 million.  

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. Dams in this category must provide an Engineer’s Report that identifies a specific deficiency, which of the regulatory requirements the dam fails to satisfy, and what is needed to correct the deficiency 

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 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 dated August 1, 2025, 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.