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:
A. Protect human life, health, safety and welfare from the dangers of flooding;
B. To the extent possible, retain the natural channel, shoreline, and floodplain creation processes and other natural floodplain functions that protect, create, and maintain habitat for threatened and endangered species;
C. Prevent or minimize loss of hydraulic, geomorphic, and ecological functions of floodplains and stream channels;
D. Minimize expenditure of public money and costly flood control projects;
E. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
F. Minimize prolonged business and governmental interruptions;
G. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, roadways, and bridges and culverts located in areas of special flood hazard;
H. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas;
I. Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;
J. Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions;
K. Qualify the city for participation in the national flood insurance program, thereby giving citizens and businesses the opportunity to purchase flood insurance;
L. Maintain the quality of water in rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and marine areas and their floodplains so as to protect public water supplies, areas of the public trust, and wildlife habitat protected by the endangered species act;
M. Retain the natural channel, shoreline, and floodplain creation processes and other natural floodplain functions that protect, create, and maintain habitat for threatened and endangered species; and
N. Prevent or minimize loss of hydraulic, geomorphic, and ecological functions of floodplains and stream channels. (Ord. 2017-1006, 2-22-2017)