Dam owners and area governments may apply for $1.2 million in grants available from the Virginia Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund.

According to a press release, the fund is managed by the Virginia Resources Authority on behalf of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

“All grants are reimbursements and require a 50 percent match. The maximum amount per grant will be determined based on amounts requested from eligible projects, application scores and available funds,” officials said in the release.

Requests must be submitted by 4 p.m. on March 31.

“Dam safety and floodplain management are critical to our public safety,” DCR Director Clyde E. Cristman said. “These grants will help recipients take necessary steps to protect lives and property, while making communities more resilient to flooding. We encourage dam owners and localities across Virginia to apply.”

“Dam safety grants are available to private dam owners and local governments for dams that have been under a regular or conditional certificate during the past 12 months,” officials said. For more information, download the grant manual at www.dcr.virginia.gov or call (804) 371-6095.