Robb Fellows honored with 2023 Andy Aldax Carson River Watershed Award
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Sat, 01/21/2023 - 9:15am
Event Date:
January 20, 2023 (All day) The Carson Water Subconservancy District (CWSD) announces Robb Fellows as the 2023 winner of the Andy Aldax Carson River Watershed Award for Exemplary Service in Conservation and Protection of the Carson River Watershed!
The award recognizes individuals or organizations who demonstrate a 10+ year commitment to implementing projects that improve and sustain the Carson River Watershed (CRW).
Created in 2007, the award honors the legacy of the late Andy Aldax, a 53-year member of CWSD’s Board, tireless agricultural advocate, and watershed steward for the CRW.
During the award ceremony on Jan. 18, colleagues from area counties and agencies hailed Fellows as a mentor and champion for the community.
They lauded his insights and willingness to answer questions, even ones outside his jurisdiction: “I really appreciate being nominated and accepting this award. I know I’ve done a lot of things, and it’s amazing what people remember,” said Fellows. “It’s been fun…certainly I think myself and the others at Public Works have done a lot of good things for Carson City, and we’re in a good place.”
As chief stormwater engineer and floodplain manager for Public Works, Fellows supervised management of Carson City’s 18 sub-watersheds. As an integral part of the Carson River Coalition (CRC) team that created the CRW Regional Floodplain Management Plan (RFMP), Fellows promoted the RFMP’s “living river” concept while implementing critical projects throughout the city. Through his guidance and participation in the CRC, Carson City has become an important role model for other counties on how implementation of the RFMP can be achieved.
During his 21-year tenure with Carson City Public Works, Fellows’ floodplain-management efforts to implement the vision and guiding principles of the CRC improved flood hazard mitigation and water quality throughout the city. Fellows worked with Carson City Open Space to designate more than 71 percent of Carson City’s Special Flood Hazard Area to reduce flood hazards and improve recreation access throughout the city.
Among his many accomplishments, Fellows:
- Spearheaded a $4.5-million investment to incorporate storm water improvements along South Carson Street to alleviate flooding during storm events.
- Expanded Vicee Canyon Detention Basins following the 2004 Waterfall Fire.
- Oversaw flood awareness and emergency preparedness outreach including the Eagle Creek mural project.
-Managed nearly $1.5 million in flood insurance rate map updates for the Carson River, Eagle Valley, Goni Wash, Voltaire Canyon, and Clear Creek.
-Coordinated FEMA’s Community Rating System, providing a 20% discount to flood insurance premiums for Carson City residents living in Special Flood Hazard Areas
- Updated the City’s Stormwater Ordinances to include a Drainage Manual and Low Impact Development (LID) ordinances that weave water quality increases into stormwater infrastructure and flood protection improvements.
