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Flood Project Director: Funds Available to Elevate Homes in Lemmon Valley

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The Truckee River Flood Project has funds available that will allow Lemmon Valley homeowners to get their homes elevated. That’s according to Flood Project Executive Director Jay Aldean, who told Washoe County commissioners yesterday that the funds are available to Lemmon Valley homeowners.

The Home Elevation TRACtion Project was intended, according to a Flood Project document, to elevate homes in Hidden Valley, the Eastside Subdivision and Rosewood Lakes.

Home elevation is an approach seen as an effective way to avoid flood damage in flood-prone areas where homes exist.

“Candidates for the Home Elevation Program that are within the approved neighborhoods and whom are willing to fulfill the homeowner obligations are invited to apply for elevation assistance,” according to the Flood Project. Washoe County commissioners previously approved those three neighborhoods, according to a 2010 document.

During yesterday’s commission meeting Aldean confirmed that Lemmon Valley residents are eligible for the program.

“Those funds are totally mobile,” he said. “I bring it to the board, and we raise the house. It’s almost immediate.”

A problem with the program is that the IRS considers granted money taxable income. Aldean said the Flood Project is working with Sen. Dean Heller to address that issue.

County officials announced yesterday that they is constructing temporary barriers around Swan Lake to help prevent further flooding.

“We had to wait to get the data before making a decision to move forward with the barrier,” North Valleys Incident Commander Chief Sam Hicks said. “Data showed runoff from Peavine Mountain should be less than initially anticipated, so the Army Corps of Engineers and I believe this is the best solution for the short-term.”

Washoe County and the North Valleys Incident Command Team are hosting a meeting for Lemmon Valley residents today at O’Brien Middle School at 6 p.m.

Flooding on Lemmon Drive.
Flooding on Lemmon Drive.
Bob Conrad
Bob Conradhttp://thisisreno.com
Bob Conrad is publisher, editor and co-founder of This Is Reno. He has served in communications positions for various state agencies and earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2011. He is also a part time instructor at UNR and sits on the boards of the Nevada Press Association and Nevada Open Government Coalition.

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