DR-5382-NV Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Buckeye Road Culvert Crossing Project, Douglas County, Nevada | HMGP 5382-003-002

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 Douglas County Public Works in Douglas County, Nevada, to mitigate flooding associated with Martin Slough along Buckeye Road. At flood stage, the Martin Slough overtops Buckeye Road rendering the road impassable. This flooding isolates residents from emergency services and prevents residents from using Buckeye Road as an egress route. Raising a segment of Buckeye Road, installing five (5) culverts beneath it, and modifying utilities associated with the road (proposed action) will prevent the flooding of Buckeye Road and support the health and safety of Carson Vally’s eastside residence. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) 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 purpose of the proposed action is to reduce flood hazards along Buckeye Road. The proposed action consists of the following: 1) excavating three geotechnical test pits (2 feet wide and 8 feet deep) within the public right-of-way; 2) installing five (5) concrete box culverts (14 feet wide, 6 feet tall, and 100 feet long) beneath Buckeye Road; 3) importing structural fill material to raise an 870-foot-long segment of Buckeye Road by approximately 4 feet where it crosses the Martin Slough; and 4) raising the landscaping infrastructure, bike path, and water utilities adjacent to Buckeye Road to the new grade. This is the proposed alternative because it will perpetuate floodwaters without overtopping Buckeye Road. It will also result in a maximum decrease of 0.3-feet in the Base Flood Elevation.

The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 32005C0234H, effective date June 15, 2015. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows that freshwater emergent wetlands occur on both sides of Buckeye Road; however, a review of available aerial imagery of the project area indicates that only the west side of the project area supports wetlands.

A map of the project area and its location within the floodplain is available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region 9 Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice. 

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action; and Alternative 2: Install Three Culverts. No action to address the flooding of Buckeye Road would be taken under Alternative 1. This Alternative is not recommended because the area would remain at risk for flooding along Buckeye Road. Alternative 2 included raising a segment of Buckeye Road and its associated infrastructure and installing three (3) culverts beneath it. This Alternative is not recommended because it would raise the base flood elevation upstream of Buckeye Road and, while it would prevent overtopping of the road, it would increase the risk of flooding in the area. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be in the floodplain. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flooding and flood damage. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. Douglas County has declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and would be responsible for the management, construction, and maintenance of the proposed action.

Based on a desktop review of aerial imagery and the National Wetlands Inventory, approximately 0.6 acres of the project area identified as wetland would be excavated and reconfigured for the new culvert crossing. Douglas County would obtain the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and would comply with any conditions and mitigation measures to avoid any significant adverse impact on wetlands. Following construction, the disturbed portions of the project area would be fine graded and revegetated.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be requested by writing the FEMA Region 9 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.