The Carson City Public Works’ Storm Water Management Program division focuses on two areas: Floodplain Management and Storm Water Quality.
Floodplain Management
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with private insurance companies to offer flood insurance. In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves.
Since standard homeowners' insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from floods associated with heavy rains, melting snow, or other conditions that impact the City.
The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.
As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS: (1) Reduce flood damage to insurable property; (2) Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and (3) Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
For more information follow any of these links:
Flood Smart
Flood Insurance
CRS
FEMA Map Service Center
Elevation Certificates
Storm Water Quality
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow-melt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of best management practices (BMPs). The quality of the nation’s waters are protected by the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Phase I of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) storm water program provided permit coverage to medium and large municipal separated storm sewer systems (MS4s) generally serving population of 100,000 or greater, construction activity disturbing 5 acres of land or greater, and ten additional categories of industrial activity. Phase II of the EPA storm water program expands the Phase I program by requiring additional operators of MS4s in urbanized areas and operators of small construction sites, to implement programs and practices to control polluted storm water runoff.
Carson City has developed, implemented and enforced a storm water management program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), to protect water quality and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.
The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) requirements for a small MS4 General Permit include the six minimum control measures included in the EPA Phase II NPDES program and special conditions for discharges to water quality impaired water. The six measures are Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation and Involvement, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Runoff Control, and Post-Construction Runoff Control.
For more details visit carsonsw.org.
