1. Identification. The identified floodplain area shall be:
A. Those areas of Hanover Township, Lehigh County, which are subject to the one hundred (100) year flood, as identified in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) dated July 16, 2004, and the accompanying maps prepared for the Township by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the most recent revision thereof; and, [Ord. 531]
B. Any community identified flood hazard areas. [Ord. 531]
2. Description of Floodplain Areas. The identified floodplain area shall consist of the following specific areas:
A. FW (Floodway Area) - the areas identified as “Floodway” on the FIRM as well as those floodway areas which have been identified in other available studies or sources of information for those special floodplain areas where no floodway has been identified in the Flood Insurance Study. The floodway represents the channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation by more than one (1) foot at any point. [Ord. 531]
B. The AE Area/District without floodway shall be those areas identified as an AE Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS and/or which base flood elevations have been provided in the FIS but no floodway has been delineated. [Ord. 531]
C. The A Area/District shall be those areas identified as an A Zone on the FIRM included in the FIS and for which no one percent (1%) annual chance flood elevations have been provided. For these areas, elevation and floodway information from other Federal, State, or other acceptable source shall be used when available. Where other acceptable information is not available, the elevation shall be determined by using the elevation of a point on the boundary of the identified floodplain area which is nearest the construction site. [Ord. 531]
In lieu of the above, the Township may require the applicant to determine the elevation with hydrologic and hydraulic engineering techniques. Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken only by professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications, who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations, etc., shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough technical review by the Township. [Ord. 531]
D. Community Identified Flood Hazard Areas - the areas the Township has identified as local flood hazard or ponding areas, using the best available topographic data and locally derived information such as flood of record, historic high water marks, soils, or approximate study methodologies. [Ord. 531]
E. Shallow Flooding Area/District - the areas identified as Zones AO and AH in the FIS and the accompanying maps prepared for the Township by FEMA. These areas are subject to inundation by one percent (1%) annual chance shallow flooding where average depths are between one (1) and three (3) feet. In Zones AO and AH, drainage paths shall be established to guide floodwaters around and away from structures on slopes. [Ord. 531]
3. Changes in Identification of Area. The identified floodplain area may be revised or modified by the Township Council where studies or information provided by a qualified agency or person documents the need for such revision. However, prior to any such change, approval must be obtained from FEMA. Additionally, as soon as practicable, but not later than six (6) months after the date such information becomes available, the Township shall notify the FEMA of the changes by submitting technical or scientific data. [Ord. 531]
4. Boundary Disputes. Should a dispute concerning any identified floodplain boundary arise, an initial determination shall be made by the Township Planning Commission and any party aggrieved by this decision or determination may appeal to the Township Council. The burden of proof shall be on the appellant.
5. Jurisdictional Boundary Changes. Upon annexation or other corporate boundary changes, the Township shall review flood hazard data affecting the lands subject to boundary changes and incorporate such land in designated floodplain areas where appropriate, which land so incorporated shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter. [Ord. 531]
(Ord. 414, 1/16/2002, Pt. 3; as amended by Ord. 531, 2/15/2012)