Fiscal Year 2024 Fall Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) | DHS 24 MT 041 00 98

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Fiscal Year 2024 Fall Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant?

This is a FEMA grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administered through FEMA's National Dam Safety Program (NDSP). It supports rehabilitation projects for eligible high hazard potential dams to reduce threats to life and property and bring dams up to acceptable safety and security standards.

2) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program aims to reduce urgent, unacceptable risks associated with unsafe dams by funding substantial rehabilitation work that brings eligible high hazard potential dams into compliance with applicable state dam safety and security standards.

3) What does "high hazard potential" mean in this grant context?

In this context, "high hazard potential" generally refers to dams where failure could likely result in loss of human life. The program focuses on dams that pose serious safety concerns and represent urgent, unacceptable risk.

4) Who is eligible to apply directly to FEMA for this funding?

Eligible applicants are state governments, including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. These state-level entities apply to FEMA and then administer the funds as pass-through awards to eligible subrecipients.

5) Is this a pass-through grant, and what does that mean?

Yes. The funding is structured as a pass-through model. States receive federal funds from FEMA and then pass those funds through to eligible subrecipients for eligible dam rehabilitation projects.

6) Who can be a subrecipient under this program?

Subrecipients must be either non-federal governmental organizations or nonprofit organizations. Subrecipients receive funds through the state, not directly from FEMA.

7) What types of dams are intended to benefit from these funds?

The funds are intended for rehabilitating eligible high hazard potential dams that do not meet minimum state dam safety standards, especially where local resources may be insufficient to address critical safety needs.

8) What does "rehabilitation" mean for this FEMA opportunity?

For this program, rehabilitation is broader than minor repairs. It includes repair, replacement, reconstruction, or removal of a dam, as long as the work is performed to meet applicable state dam safety and security standards.

9) Does the grant support full dam removal?

Yes. The definition of rehabilitation explicitly includes removal of a dam when appropriate, provided the work meets applicable state dam safety and security standards and supports the program goal of risk reduction.

10) Does the opportunity focus on minor maintenance and routine repairs?

The information provided emphasizes substantial rehabilitation actions (repair, replacement, reconstruction, or removal) rather than incremental maintenance. The focus is on measurable risk reduction and bringing dams into compliance with state standards.

11) Where are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted through FEMA's Grants Outcomes (GO) system at https://go.fema.gov/.

12) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses the "Grant" funding instrument type.

13) What program or catalog number is associated with this grant?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 97.041.

14) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is DHS 24 MT 041 00 98.

15) What was the closing date listed for this cycle?

The original closing date shown for this cycle is February 29, 2024.

16) About how many awards does FEMA anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making around 50 awards.

17) Is there an award ceiling listed in the provided information?

No. The listing does not specify an award ceiling in the provided source data. Applicants typically need to review the full notice or program guidance in FEMA GO for details on funding limits.

18) Where can applicants find details such as cost share requirements and eligible cost categories?

The provided information indicates that details like funding limits, cost share requirements, and eligible cost categories are typically found in the full notice or program guidance available in FEMA GO.

19) What geographic areas are eligible for this program?

Eligibility includes all U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. territories or possessions.

20) Who are the primary applicants in eligible jurisdictions?

In practice, the primary applicants are dam safety agencies or designated state entities within eligible states and territories, since the state government is the eligible applicant and administrator for pass-through awards.

21) If a local government or nonprofit owns a dam, can it apply directly to FEMA?

Based on the structure described, local public entities and qualifying nonprofits are positioned to benefit as subrecipients through state pass-through awards, rather than applying directly to FEMA.

22) What is the overarching outcome the program is trying to achieve?

The program is designed to move high-risk dams from noncompliance and unacceptable risk toward safer conditions by funding rehabilitation actions that align with state dam safety standards, with states identifying priority projects and overseeing implementation.