It is the purpose of this chapter to protect human life and health, minimize property
damage, and encourage appropriate construction practices to minimize public and private
losses due to flood conditions by requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including
facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction. Uses of the floodplain which are dangerous to health, safety,
and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which increase flood heights, velocities,
or erosion are restricted or prohibited. These provisions attempt to control the alteration
of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which are
involved in the accommodation of flood waters, and control filling, grading, dredging
and other development which may increase flood damage or erosion. Additionally, this
chapter prevents or regulates the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally
divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.
The objectives of this chapter are to protect human life and health, to help maintain
a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas
in such a manner as to minimize flood blight areas, and to insure that potential home
buyers are notified that property is in a flood area. The provisions of this chapter
are intended to minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and
gas mains, electric, telephone, and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in the
floodplain, and prolonged business interruptions. Also, an important floodplain management
objective of this chapter is to minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood
control projects and rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding.
Floodplains are an important asset to the community. They perform vital natural functions
such as temporary storage of floodwaters, moderation of peak flood flows, maintenance
of water quality, groundwater recharge, prevention of erosion, habitat for diverse
natural wildlife populations, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic quality. These
functions are best served if floodplains are kept in their natural state. Wherever
possible, the natural characteristics of floodplains and their associated wetlands
and water bodies should be preserved and enhanced. Decisions to alter floodplains,
especially floodways and stream channels, should be the result of careful planning
processes that evaluate resource conditions and human needs.