FM-5154-NV Public Notice 002

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Southeast Washoe County Home Elevation Project, Washoe County, NV | HMGP – 5154-14-14

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 (TRFMA) in an unincorporated part of Washoe County, NV. The proposed action would mitigate flood risk by elevating three structures above the 100-year floodplain. 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 the potential for flood damage to multiple residences within the TRFMA’s jurisdiction. The proposed action consists of elevating three residences at least 3 feet above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to mitigate flood damage to these buildings. Three property owners have agreed to participate and an additional three have been selected as backup alternate locations. All six properties proposed for elevation have been damaged repeatedly by historical flooding. Home elevation involves disconnecting utilities and the home from its foundation, lifting the home and adding to the existing foundation, reattaching the home to the new top of the foundation, and restoring utility connections.

The three primary residences and two alternate residences are on mapped on Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 32031C3251G effective March 16, 2009. These five residences are within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established. One alternate property is shown on panel 32031C3231G effective March 16, 2009, and is located within Zone X, an area of minimal flood hazard.

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 IX Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice.

Four alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action; Alternative 2, Levees Alternative; Alternative 3, Ring Levee Alternative; and Alternative 4, Acquisition Alternative. Alternative 1 would not reduce the risk of flooding at the properties, therefore this Alternative is not recommended because it would not meet the project purpose. Alternative 2 would build levees around some of the homes. This alternative is not recommended because it would be costly, and the footprint of the levee would take half the homes and only protect the other half. Alternative 3 would build a ring levee. This alternative is not recommended because it could result in interior drainage issues that pose an unacceptable risk. Alternative 4 would acquire and remove the at-risk homes. This Alternative is not feasible because it would cost more than the benefit allowed under the FEMA benefit-cost analysis.

FEMA has determined that the proposed action is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be located 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. The TRFMA 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.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be requested 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.