A. Floodplains are subject to periodic inundation, as a result of man's activities, which may result in loss of life and 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 may adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare of the people of the state. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to conform with the requirements necessary to establish eligibility and maintain participation in the national flood insurance program, as well as to protect the public health, safety and general welfare by restricting damageable floodplain improvements and uses which increase flood damage potential elsewhere. More specifically, these rules and regulations are adopted to:
1. Preserve the capacity of the floodplain to carry and discharge the regulatory flood;
2. Provide rules and regulations for any platting of land in floodplains, construction of dwelling units and commercial or industrial structures in floodplains, and all other construction in the floodplains which may divert, retard or obstruct floodwater and threaten public health, safety or welfare;
3. Help establish minimum flood protection elevations and flood damage prevention requirements for use of structures and facilities which are located in a floodplain or are vulnerable to flood damage;
4. Provide for coordination by the planning commission with all other interested and affected political subdivisions and state agencies;
5. Protect adjacent upstream and downstream private and public landowners from increases in flood elevations, velocities or both, which could increase the potential for flood damages;
6. Minimize extraordinary direct and indirect costs to governmental units caused by developments within floodplains for roads, sewer and water works, flood control works, flood relief or emergency services;
7. Reduce health and safety risks and prevent blighting and economic losses which detract from community well being and the tax base;
8. Protect individuals from buying lands which are unsuited for intended purposes because of flood hazard; and
9. Minimize water pollution, increased sedimentation and nuisances due to floating structures and debris. (1985 Code; amended 1987)