[Flood-Control] Funding of Dam Upgrade to High Hazard Criteria

[Steve Bednarz]

To All Watershed Program/Flood Control Program Sponsors:
At the January 16, 2020 TSSWCB Board meeting, the Board approved a change in cost share rates for dam upgrades to high hazard criteria using state funds only.  The new cost share rates are as follows:
TSSWCB = 98.25%
Sponsors = 1.75%

The revised rules became effective February 6, 2020 and are posted in the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 529, Subchapter B "Structural Repair Grant Program" available at this link:
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=31&pt=17&ch=529

Cost sharing of federal rehabilitation projects remains 65% Federal, 33.25% State, and 1.75% local sponsors.

The rules for dam repair did not change, and the cost share rates for dam repair remain:
TSSWCB = 95%
Sponsors = 5%

As a reminder, for federal rehabilitation projects and state funded upgrades of high hazard dams, the following items need to be addressed by sponsors before construction funding is obligated in agreements:

  1.  Emergency Action Plan for the dam must be approved by TCEQ Dam Safety. TCEQ can provide templates and guidance for developing EAPs.
  2.  Land Rights certification on form ADS78 with attached attorney's opinion of land rights adequacy. Engineering firm working on the project will provide land rights work map.
  3.  404 permit from the Corps of Engineers. Engineering firm working on design will provide assistance on this.

TSSWCB will be developing the budget request for the 2022-2023 biennium in the summer of 2020.  The budget request will be based on applications from sponsors for dam repair and upgrade.  If you have dams in need of repair and upgrade, and you have or expect to have the local share of funding available in 2022 - 2023 and will be ready to implement this work, please submit applications by June 1, 2020.

Please contact me if you have questions.

Steven Bednarz, P.E.
Program Administrator/Engineer
Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board
1497 Country View Lane, Temple, TX 76504
Phone: 254 773 2250 ex. 246
[Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board 5-24-19]

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