Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan - 2014

SECTON 6 – MITIGATION FOR SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

more than 80 percent since the General Assembly enacted the Clean Smokestacks Act in 2002 (NCDENR, 2013a). In addition to the effects on transportation, new and expanding industries in the County are subject to emission control requirements. 6.1.8 Floodplain Management, Executive Order 11988 Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, addresses the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains. Federal agencies must take action to reduce the risk of flood loss and flood impacts on human safety, health, and welfare. Agencies are also charged with the responsibility to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values of floodplains. Federally supported projects that directly impact floodplains need to consider alternatives that avoid floodplains. 6.1.9 National Flood Insurance Program The NFIP, managed by FEMA, was created in the 1960s in response to the rising cost of taxpayer-funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods. Floodplain management under the NFIP is an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage. It includes, but is not limited to, emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations; and generally covers zoning, subdivision, or building requirements and special- purpose floodplain ordinances. One aspect of the program is that it aids in the protection of stream riparian areas and wetlands and serves to protect water quality by restricting development in the floodplain. Information on the Town’s flood protection programs are further discussed in Section 6.2. 6.1.10 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act charges the regulatory agencies with the protection of selected rivers of the nation. These rivers include those that posses remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values. These rivers shall be preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. The act prescribes the method for designating standards for selection of rivers to be protected under this act. Rivers under this act are classified into one of three categories, depending on their characteristics.  Wild river areas: Rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and are generally inaccessible except by trail. Watersheds and shorelines surrounding this river class are essentially primitive and waters are unpolluted.  Scenic river areas: Rivers or sections of rivers are similar in character to wild river areas, but can be accessed in places by roads.  Recreational river areas: Rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, and may have development along their shorelines. These rivers may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past. No rivers protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act exist in Wake County.

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