Improvements to National Dam Safety Program

(a)

Definitions

Section 2 of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467) is amended—(1)by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and(2)by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:

(16)

Underserved Community

The term underserved community means a community with a population of less than 50,000 that has a median household income of less than 80 percent of the statewide median household income.

(b)

Rehabilitation of high hazard potential dams

Section 8A of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f–2) is amended—(1)in subsection (c)(2), by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:

(C)

Grant assurance

As part of a grant agreement under subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall require that each eligible subrecipient to which the State awards a grant under this section provides an assurance from the dam owner, with respect to the dam to be rehabilitated, that the dam owner will carry out a plan for maintenance of the dam during the expected life of the dam.

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(2)in subsection (d)(2)(C), by striking commit and inserting for a project not including removal, obtain a commitment from the dam owner;(3)by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

(e)

Floodplain management plans

(1)

In general

As a condition of receipt of assistance under this section, an eligible subrecipient shall demonstrate that a floodplain management plan to reduce the impacts of future flood events from a controlled or uncontrolled release from the dam or management of water levels in the area impacted by the dam—(A)for a removal—(i)is in place; and(ii)identifies areas that would be impacted by the removal of the dam and includes a communication and outreach plan for the project and the impact of the project on the affected communities; or(B)for a project not including removal—(i)is in place; or(ii)will be—(I)developed not later than 2 years after the date of execution of a project agreement for assistance under this section; and(II)implemented not later than 2 years after the date of completion of construction of the project.(2)

Requirement

In the case of a plan for a removal, the Administrator may not impose any additional requirements or conditions other than the requirements in paragraph (1)(A).(3)

Inclusions

A plan under paragraph (1)(B) shall address—(A)potential measures, practices, and policies to reduce loss of life, injuries, damage to property and facilities, public expenditures, and other adverse impacts of flooding in the area protected or impacted by the dam;(B)plans for flood fighting and evacuation; and(C)public education and awareness of flood risks.

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(4)by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:

(f)

Priority system

The Administrator, in consultation with the Board, shall develop a risk-based priority system for States to use in prioritizing multiple applications each year for eligible high hazard potential dams for which grants may be made under this section.

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(5)in subsection (g)(1)—(A)in subparagraph (A), by striking Any and inserting Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any; and(B)by adding at the end the following:

(C)

Underserved communities

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a project carried out by or for the benefit of an underserved community.

(c)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 14 of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467j) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028; and(B)in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

(B)

Maximum amount of allocation

The amount of funds allocated to a State under this paragraph for a fiscal year may not exceed the amount that is equal to 4 times the amount of funds committed by the State to implement dam safety activities for that fiscal year.

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(2)in subsection (b), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028;(3)in subsection (c), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028;(4)in subsection (d), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028;(5)in subsection (e), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028; and(6)in subsection (f), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028.