A. Statutory Authority: The legislature of the state of Idaho in Idaho Code 46-1020 through 46-1024, authorized local government units to adopt a floodplain map and floodplain management ordinance that identifies floodplains and that sets forth minimum development requirements in floodplains that are designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry.
B. Findings Of Fact: The flood hazard areas of Harrison 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.
1. These flood losses are caused by structures in flood hazard areas, which are inadequately elevated, floodproofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages, and by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains causing increases in flood heights and velocities.
2. Local government units have the primary responsibility for planning, adoption and enforcement of land use regulations to accomplish proper floodplain management.
C. Statement Of Purpose: It is the purpose of this chapter 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:
1. Require that development that 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;
2. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which increase flood heights, velocities, or erosion;
3. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage or erosion;
4. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or that may increase flood hazards to other lands;
5. Preserve and restore natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which carry and store floodwaters.
D. Objectives: The objectives of this chapter are to:
1. Protect human life, health and property;
2. 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;
3. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood prone areas;
4. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
5. Minimize the need for rescue and emergency services associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
6. Minimize prolonged business interruptions. (Ord. 435, 5-3-2010, eff. 5-3-2010)