Strategic Plan to Address Growth in Southern Nevada

FLOOD CONTROL

The Clark County Regional Flood Control District (RFCD) is the only entity which plans and funds regional flood control facilities that protect life and property throughout Clark County. The RFCD’s service area is all of Clark County and the incorporated communities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City and Mesquite. However, there are areas under local jurisdiction that are not covered by the RFCD regional plan.

The District’s level of service measurement is based on a comprehensive flood control system designed to handle up to a 100-year flood event, which meets federal standards. Completion of the comprehensive flood control master plan will provide maximum flood control protection to our community by the year 2028 based on current funding analysis estimates. However, the Authority recommends study of alternative methods of funding, including debt financing, to accelerate the construction of flood control facilities, as well as to meet operation and maintenance needs. Under the current “pay as you go system” only 47% of the Regional Flood Control District’s Master Plan will be implemented in 2008 and 78% in 2028.

Additionally, the Authority encourages:

1) the acceleration of the construction of facilities,
2) local entities (not part of the RFCDs regional master plan) to develop flood control plans which better link with the RCFD master plan,
3) the recognition of multiple use opportunities in flood control plans,
4) improvement of facility maintenance, and
5) the study of methods to improve storm water quality in the Las Vegas Wash.

Goal 1: Provide protection for floods up to the 100-year flood event.

OBJECTIVES	STRATEGIES
A. Increase regional coordination of flood control activities.	1. Local entities should develop and implement local flood control plans which will provide benefits to those areas not covered by a regional plan. 2. Local entities should coordinate opportunities for multiple uses of flood control facilities.
B. Expedite the construction of flood control facilities.	1. Evaluate the feasibility of accelerating the implementation of the RFCD Master Plan, including debt financing. 2. Encourage private/public partnerships for the construction of local/regional flood control facilities. 3. When accelerated project construction can be facilitated, allow the RFCD to contract directly for the execution of the construction project (rather than using interlocal contracts). 4. Long-term capital planning needs to be undertaken in an atmosphere of responding to community needs on a timely and effective basis. It appears, that capital planning for some infrastructure is occurring in a restrictive horizon of available funding, which may inhibit the ability to meet needs. Capital planning should be done independent of revenue projections, then financial planning could be used to identify ways to bridge the gap between identified needs and revenues. If gaps cannot be bridged, needs and/or revenues would then need to be adjusted.
C. Improve stormwater quality.	1. All water, health, and environmental agencies in the Las Vegas water shed will cooperate in the development of a comprehensive water quality plan for the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead and address the SNWA’s Water Quality Citizen Advisory Committee recommendations. 2. Implement the Clark County 208 Water Quality Management Plan.
D. Maintain flood control facilities	1. Explore sources of funding for the maintenance of local flood control facilities. 2. Regional Flood Control District should continue to assist in funding the maintenance of regional flood control facilities.