DR-4523-NV Final Public Notice 009

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: SE Washoe Home Elevation, Truckee River Flood Management Authority | HMGP 4523-009-009

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (sub-applicant), in the City of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada to elevate 10 single-family residential structures above the Truckee River, Steamboat Creek, and Boynton Slough floodplain in the Hidden Valley subdivision area (proposed action) Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), and FEMA’s implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides interested parties with a notice of its final decision and an explanation of the alternatives that were considered.

The proposed action consists of elevating the first floor of five (5) single-family structures at least 3 feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of the floodplain and backwater zone of the Truckee River, Steamboat Creek, and Boynton Slough. In the event of future flooding, the proposed improvements would allow for floodwaters to move freely around and underneath the elevated structures, providing protection to the homeowners, restoring the natural flows of the floodplain, and avoiding the need for first responders to risk their lives to ensure the safety of these residents. In 1997 and 2017, the Hidden Valley residential areas around Steamboat Creek and Boynton Slough in northeastern Reno flooded with up to 7 feet of water. Each of the five (5) residences included in this project have sustained prior damages associated with flooding. The purpose of the proposed action is to protect lives and property from the impacts of future flooding. 

The project area is depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 32031C3251G, 32031C3064G, effective March 16, 2009. The FIRM shows the proposed action lies within Zone AE, the base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Map shows the project is adjacent to wetlands.

The homes included in this project are located at: 6550 Pebble Beach Drive; 5795 Pelham Drive; 1995 Parkway Drive; 6225 Pebble Beach Drive; 6350 Plum Hollow Circle. Maps of the project area and its location within the floodplain and adjacent to wetlands is available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of either map should contact the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice.

Four alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1: No Action; Alternative 2: Construct Levees; Alternative 3: Construct Ring Levee; and Alternative 4: Acquisition. Alternative 1 would result in No Action being taken to mitigate flood hazards. This Alternative is not recommended because the risk of flood hazards, including damage to property and people would remain. In addition, No Action would continue to expose the sub-applicant to repetitive loss claims from flood damages approximately every decade. Therefore, Alternative 1 is not feasible.  Alternative 2 consisted of Constructing Levees around some of the homes. This alternative was not selected because the levee footprint would have encroached on half of the homes and only protected the other half. In addition, the cost for Alternative 2 would have far exceeded the proposed action cost by nearly tenfold. Therefore, Alternative 2 is not feasible. Alternative 3 consisted of Constructing a Ring Levee; however, this option was not selected due to interior drainage issues that would pose an unacceptable flood risk. Therefore, Alternative 3 is not feasible. Alternative 4 consisted of Acquisition; however, this option was not selected since the cost for most of the homes was beyond the benefit allowed by the FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA). Therefore, Alternative 4 is not feasible. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be taken at this location. 

The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by minimizing the impact of floods on human health, safety, or welfare, and results in an increase to the useful life of a structure or facility. The Truckee River Flood Management Authority and homeowners have declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and would be responsible for the management, construction, and maintenance of the proposed action. Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be obtained by writing the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at FEMA, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, California 94607, or fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov. All requests should be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this date.