(A) This chapter is enacted pursuant to the police powers granted to the county by state statutory authority in 615 ILCS 15/, 55 ILCS 5/5-1041 and 5/5-1063, as amended. The purpose of this article is to maintain the county’s eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program; to minimize potential losses due to periodic flooding including loss of life, loss of property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare; and to preserve and enhance the quality of surface waters, conserve economic and natural values and provide for the wise utilization of water and related land resources.
(B) This chapter is adopted in order to accomplish the following specified purposes:
(1) To meet the requirements of 615 ILCS 5/5, an Act in relation to the regulation of the rivers, lakes and streams of the state, approved June 10, 1911, as amended;
(2) To ensure that new development does not increase the flood or drainage hazards to others, or create unstable conditions susceptible to erosion;
(3) To protect new buildings and major improvements to buildings from flood damage;
(4) To protect human life and health from the hazards of flooding;
(5) To lessen the burden on the taxpayer for flood control, repairs to public facilities, utilities flood rescue and relief operations;
(6) To maintain property values and a stable tax base by minimizing the potential for creating blight areas;
(7) To make federally subsidized flood insurance available;
(8) To comply with the rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program codified as 44 C.F.R. 59-79, as amended;
(9) To protect, conserve and promote the orderly development of land and water resources; and
(10) To preserve the natural characteristics and functions of watercourses and floodplains in order to moderate flood and stormwater impacts, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, protect aquatic and riparian habitat, provide recreational opportunities, provide aesthetic benefits and enhance community and economic development.
(Ord. 21-4, passed 11-9-2021)