FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

 

2017 Home Elevation Program for Hidden Valley
Truckee River Flood Management Authority

HMGP-4303-1-2R

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide Federal financial assistance to the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (TRFMA), through the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, to elevate 11 single-family residential structures above the floodplain of Steamboat Creek in the area of the Hidden Valley subdivision, and one single-family residential structure in the Coronet subdivision in the City of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada (proposed action). 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.

In 1997 and 2017, the Hidden Valley residential areas around Steamboat Creek in northeastern Reno flooded with up to 7’ of water. The home in the Cornoet subdivision is within a localized urban flooding area and not a mapped flood zone. Each of the residences included in this project have received prior damages associated with flooding. The purpose of the proposed action is to protect lives and property from the impacts of future flooding. The Hidden Valley project area is depicted on the Washoe County, Nevada, and Uncorporated Areas Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) Numbers 32031C3251G & 32031C3064G, effective date March 16, 2009. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Zone A, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted flood water elevations have not been established.

The proposed action consists of elevating the first floor of 12 single-family structures at least 3’ above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of the floodplain and backwater zone of the Truckee River. 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.

The homes included in this project are located at: 6555 Pebble Beach Drive; 6445 Pebble Beach Drive; 5885 Pebble Beach Drive; 6363 Plum Hollow Circle; 6375 Plum Hollow Circle; 5665 Pelham Drive; 4210 Inverness Drive; 2015 Parkway Drive; 2000 Parkway Drive; 2010 Parkway Drive; 6970 Pembroke Road; and 905 Manzanita Lane. A map of the project area and its location within the floodplain is available for public inspection. All parties interested in receiving a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at the address or phone number below.

The alternative to elevating the homes above the BFE is taking no action. Under the no-action alternative, the homes would not be elevated above the floodplain and the potential for repeated and costly damage, as well as risks to human life would continue. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only feasible alternative available to the homeowners; thus the proposed action must occur in a floodplain. The proposed project would not adversely affect the floodplain and is necessary to preserve life and property. Mitigation of impacts have not been identified. The TRFMA and homeowners are responsible for implementing and monitoring the proposed action and ensuring it conforms to state and federal floodplain standards.

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; fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov; or calling (510) 627-7027. All requests must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this time.