Eligible dams must be classified as "high hazard potential" in the National Inventory of Dams (NID), but they also must meet the following criteria.
Eligible Dams
The following dams are eligible for HHPD funding.
- Located in a state or territory with a dam safety program.
- Classified as “high hazard potential” by the state/territory dam safety agency in the state or territory in which the dam is located.
- Has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)-approved state or territory dam safety program or is in conformance with state or territory law and pending approval by the relevant state or territory dam safety agency.
- Located in a jurisdiction with a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan that includes dam risk.
- Fails to meet minimum state/territory dam safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public.
Ineligible Dams
The following dams are not eligible for HHPD funding.
- A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-licensed hydroelectric dam under a hydropower project with an authorized installed capacity of greater than 1.5 megawatts.
- For FY2021 awards and subsequent fiscal years, the licensed hydroelectric dam under a hydropower project with an authorized installed capacity of greater than 1.5 megawatts.
- Federally owned dams.
- Dams built under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Eligible Projects
The following projects are eligible for HHPD funding.
The HHPD Grant Program may provide assistance for technical, planning, and design activities toward:
- Repair
- Removal, OR
- Structural/nonstructural rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams
Ineligible Projects
The following projects are not eligible for HHPD funding.
- Rehabilitation of a federal dam
- Performance of routine operation or maintenance of a dam
- Modification of a dam to produce hydroelectric power
- Increase of water supply storage capacity
- Any other modification to a dam that does not also improve the safety of the dam
Hazard Mitigation Plans
Funding is not available from the HHPD Grant Program to update the state, local, or tribal mitigation plan to include all dam risks.
Relocation of Downstream Hazards
If it is determined that it is more cost effective to remove downstream hazards, applicants should consult with your FEMA regional point of contact to determine other appropriate grant options.