(1) Statutory Authority: The Legislature of the State of Idaho, pursuant to Idaho Code section 46-1020 through section 46-1024, authorized local government to adopt Floodplain Management Ordinances that identify floodplains and minimum floodplain development standards to minimize flood hazards and protect human life, health, and property. Therefore, the Board of County Commissioners of Canyon County, Idaho does hereby ordain as follows.
(2) Findings Of Fact:
A. The flood hazard areas of Canyon County are subject to periodic inundation that results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood relief and protection, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
B. These flood losses are caused by development in flood hazard areas, which are inadequately elevated, flood-proofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages, and by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains causing increases in flood heights and velocities.
C. Local government units have the primary responsibility for planning, adopting and enforcing land use regulations to accomplish proper floodplain management.
(3) Statement Of Purpose: The purpose of this article is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
A. Protect human life, health, and property;
B. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water purification and sewage treatment plants, water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in floodplains;
C. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood prone areas;
D. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
E. Minimize the need for rescue and emergency services associated with flooding, generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
F. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
G. Ensure potential buyers are notified the property is in an area of special flood hazard; and
H. Ensure those who occupy the areas of the special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.
(4) Objectives And Methods Of Reducing Flood Losses: In order to accomplish its purpose, this article includes methods and provisions to:
A. Require that development which is vulnerable to floods, including structures and facilities necessary for the general health, safety, and welfare of citizens, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
B. Restrict or prohibit developments which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which increase flood heights, velocities, or erosion;
C. Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage or erosion;
D. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert flood waters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands; and
E. Preserve and restore natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which carry and store flood waters. (Ord. 19-038, 8-30-2019)