(A) Routine maintenance activities, such as vegetation management and sedimentation, are not considered watercourse alteration. Alterations to a channel, river, stream, drainage way, or other watercourse shall not diminish the flood-carrying capacity of that watercourse. The altered or relocated watercourse shall have the same or greater capacity as the original watercourse.
(B) All proposals for a watercourse alteration require submittal of a floodplain development permit application. The applicant shall submit a set of plans and calculations prepared by a registered professional engineer of the proposed alteration and its effect on flows.
(C) An applicant shall provide the following information, and additional information may be submitted and/or requested:
(1) A description of the proposed alteration;
(2) A topographic map of the project area;
(3) A comparison of the existing and proposed channel capacity, including engineering calculations prepared by a registered professional engineer;
(4) A detailed plan showing existing and proposed contours which show the extent to which any watercourse or natural drainage will be altered or relocated;
(5) Land use of adjacent properties;
(6) Description of any obstructions;
(7) Dimensions, specifications, and locations of any structures and facilities (bridges, culverts, water crossing, dams, dikes, levees, detention basins, and the like); and
(8) Photos of the area.
(D) Prior to approval of the floodplain development permit, the applicant shall:
(1) Submit an application and obtain a CLOMR from FEMA;
(2) Notify adjacent communities, property owners, the State Division of Emergency Management, and the Federal Insurance Administrator prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse within a SFHA, and submit evidence of such notification to the Floodplain Administrator and to FEMA; and
(3) Provide for maintenance within the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
(Ord. 2016-34, passed 6-22-2021)