(A) Alteration or relocation of watercourse.
(1) No encroachment, alteration or improvement of any kind shall be made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities which may be affected by such action have been notified by the municipality, and until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(2) No encroachment, alteration or improvement of any kind shall be made to any watercourse unless it can be shown that the activity will not reduce or impede the flood carrying capacity of the watercourse in any way.
(3) In addition, FEMA and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse included in the FIS.
(B) When the township proposes to permit the following encroachments by variance.
(1) Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevation within the floodway; or
(2) Alteration or relocation of a stream including, but not limited to, installing culverts and bridges within identified floodplain areas determined pursuant to §§ 151.046(B) and (C), the applicant shall (as per 44 C.F.R. Part 65.12):
(a) Apply to FEMA for conditional approval of such action prior to permitting the encroachments to occur;
(b) Upon receipt of the Administrator’s conditional approval of map change and prior to approving the proposed encroachments, a community shall provide evidence to FEMA of the adoption of floodplain management ordinances, incorporating the increased base flood elevations and/or revised floodway reflecting the post-project condition; and
(c) Upon completion of the proposed encroachments, the township shall provide as-built certification, FEMA will initiate a final map revision upon receipt of such certifications in accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 67.
(C) Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
(D) Within any identified floodplain area (refer to § 151.046), no new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse within an AE or A Area/District except for roads, driveways and utilities where a permit is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(Ord. 177, passed 2-24-2015)