Title
Maricopa County Regional Flood Control Update
Description
This report provides information to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee regarding the Flood Control District of Maricopa County's Regional Flood Control Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC) was created in 1959 to reduce the risk of flooding to people and property. Flood control structural projects and programs that have occurred since the creation of the FCDMC provide ongoing opportunities for economic vitality, alternative stormwater management and long-term benefits for the community and the environment.
The FCDMC is a political subdivision of the State of Arizona and is governed by a Board of Directors who also serve as the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The FCDMC is advised by the citizen Flood Control Advisory Board. As a special taxing district, the FCDMC has authority to levy a secondary property tax on parcels within Maricopa County to fund flood control efforts. The FCDMC's jurisdiction encompasses more than 9,200 square miles. It has partnered with communities on over 151 flood control structures and operates 397 Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time (ALERT) flood monitoring stations covering 11,820 square miles. The FCDMC strives to stay ahead of development, which provides continued opportunities for collaboration with developers, municipalities, agencies and residents to ensure people and property remain safe during floods as Maricopa County's population and economic vitality grow. Flood education and tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and drone technology, hydrologic modeling, and online permitting help FCDMC continue to improve, protect and facilitate interaction with stakeholders and residents.
The FCDMC reduces regional flood risks through design and construction of new structures in the Capital Improvement Program, purchase of homes and floodproofing through the Floodprone Property Assistance Program, and partially funding local drainage mitigation projects through the Small Project Assistance Program with public agencies across Maricopa County. The FCDMC also provides the following flood control services:
- Develops a five-year Floodplain Management Plan, which sets goals and actions to address Maricopa County's vulnerability;
- Identifies flood hazards through area-wide watershed studies;
- Cost shares with communities to build, maintain and operate flood control structures (dams, levees, basins, channels and storm drains);
- Issues Floodplain Use Permits and conducts inspections;
- Provides flood related technical support to communities, which helps the cities thatparticipate in the National Flood Insurance Program as well as the Community Rating System;
- Oversees county-wide Flood Warning and Response System (ALERT stations);
- Implements water quality best management practices; and
- Educates the public on flood safety, risk reduction and flood insurance.
The FCDMC supports the City of Phoenix by conducting area drainage studies, sharing costs on flood control projects, conducting flood warning notifications (ALERT monitoring stations) and providing educational outreach, which greatly helps the City maintain compliance with federal requirements. In the past 20 years, the FCDMC and the City of Phoenix have collaborated to construct flood control improvements estimated at $300 million. Additionally, the City of Phoenix conducts Floodplain Management duties under the National Flood Insurance Program and voluntarily participates in the Community Rating System that currently provides property owners with a 25 percent flood insurance premium discount for properties within a designated floodplain. A property owner that is outside of a designated floodplain can obtain a 10 percent premium discount.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson, the Street Transportation Department and the City Engineer.