(A) (1) The only development in a floodway which will be allowed are appropriate uses, which will not cause a rise in the base flood elevation, and which will not create a damaging or potentially damaging increase in flood heights or velocity or be a threat to public health and safety and welfare or impair the natural hydrologic and hydraulic functions of the floodway or channel, or permanently impair existing water quality or aquatic habitat. Construction impacts shall be minimized by appropriate mitigation methods as called for in this chapter. Only those appropriate uses listed in 17 Ill. Admin. Code Part 3708 will be allowed.
(2) The approved appropriate uses are as follows:
(a) Flood control structures, dikes, dams and other public works or private improvements relating to the control of drainage, flooding, erosion or water quality or habitat for fish and wildlife;
(b) Structures or facilities relating to the use of, or requiring access to, the water or shoreline, such as pumping and treatment facilities, and facilities and improvements related to recreational boating, commercial shipping and other functionally water dependent uses;
(c) Storm and sanitary sewer relief outfalls;
(d) Underground and overhead utilities;
(e) Recreational facilities such as playing fields and trail systems, including any related fencing (at least 50% open when viewed from any one direction) built parallel to the direction of flood flows, and including open air pavilions and toilet facilities (four-stall maximum) that will not block flood flows nor reduce floodway storage;
(f) Detached garages, storage sheds or other non-habitable accessory structures that will not block flood flows nor reduce floodway storage;
(g) Bridges, culverts, roadways, sidewalks, railways, runways and taxiways and any modification thereto;
(h) Parking lots built at or below existing grade where either:
1. The depth of flooding at the 100-year frequency flood event will not exceed one foot; or
2. The applicant of a short-term recreational use facility parking lot, formally agrees to restrict access during overbank flooding events and accepts liability for all damage caused by vehicular access during all overbank flooding events.
(i) Designated floodway regrading, without fill, to create a positive non-erosive slope toward a watercourse;
(j) Floodproofing activities to protect previously existing lawful structures including the construction of water-tight window wells, elevating structures or construction of floodwalls around residential, commercial or industrial principal structures where the outside toe of the floodwall shall be no more than ten feet away from the exterior wall of the existing structure, and, which are not considered substantial improvements to the structure;
(k) The replacement, reconstruction or repair of a damaged building; provided that, the outside dimensions are not increased, and if the building was damaged to 50% or more of the market value before the damage occurred, the building will be protected from flooding to the flood protection elevation; and
(l) Modifications to an existing building that would not increase the enclosed floor area of the building below the 100-year frequency flood elevation, and which will not block flood flows including but not limited to, fireplaces, bay windows, decks, patios and second-story additions. If the building is improved to 50% or more of the market value before the modification occurred (i.e., a substantial improvement), the building will be protected from flooding to the flood protection elevation.
(B) Appropriate uses do not include the construction or placement of any new structures, fill, building additions, buildings on stilts, excavation or channel modifications done to accommodate otherwise non-appropriate uses in the floodway, fencing (including landscaping or planting designed to act as a fence) and storage of materials, except as specifically defined above as an appropriate use.
(C) Within the designated floodway as identified on the floodway maps designated by IDNR/OWR, the construction of an appropriate use, will be considered permissible; provided that, the proposed project meets the following engineering and mitigation criteria and is so stated in writing with supporting plans, calculations and data by a registered professional engineer; and, provided that, any structure meets the protection requirements of §§ 156.70 through 156.73 of this chapter:
(1) Preservation of flood conveyance, so as not to increase flood stages upstream. For appropriate uses other than bridge or culvert crossings, on-stream structures or dams, all effective designated floodway conveyance lost due to the project will be replaced for all flood events up to and including the 100-year frequency flood. In calculating effective designated floodway conveyance, the following factors shall be taken into consideration.
(a) Designated floodway conveyance, “K” = (1.486/n)(AR2/3) where “n” is Manning’s roughness factor, “A” is the effective flow area of the cross-section, and “R” is the ratio of the area to the wetted perimeter. (See Open Channel Hydraulics, Ven Te Chow, 1959, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.)
(b) The same Manning’s “n” value shall be used for both existing and proposed conditions unless a recorded maintenance agreement with a federal, state or local unit of government can assure the proposed conditions will be maintained or the land cover is changing from a vegetative to a non-vegetative land cover.
(c) Transition sections shall be provided and used in calculations of effective designated floodway conveyance. The following expansion and contraction ratios shall be used unless an applicant’s engineer can prove to IDNR/OWR through engineering calculations or model tests that more abrupt transitions may be used with the same efficiency.
1. When water is flowing from a narrow section to a wider section, the water should be assumed to expand no faster than at a rate of one foot horizontal for every four feet of the flooded stream’s length.
2. When water is flowing from a wide section to a narrow section, the water should be assumed to contract no faster than at a rate of one foot horizontal for every one foot of the flooded stream’s length.
3. When expanding or contracting flows in a vertical direction, a minimum of one-foot vertical transition for every ten feet of stream length shall be used.
4. Transition sections shall be provided between cross-sections with rapid expansions and contractions and when meeting the designated floodway delineation on adjacent properties.
5. All cross-sections used in the calculations shall be located perpendicular to flood flows.
(2) Preservation of floodway storage so as not to increase downstream flooding.
(a) Compensatory storage shall be provided for any designated floodway storage lost due to the proposed work from the volume of fill or structures placed and the impact of any related flood control projects.
(b) Compensatory storage for fill or structures shall be equal to at least one and one-half times the volume of floodplain storage lost.
(c) Artificially created storage lost due to a reduction in head loss behind a bridge shall not be required to be replaced.
(d) The compensatory designated floodway storage shall be placed between the proposed normal water elevation and the proposed 100-year flood elevation. All designated floodway storage lost below the existing ten-year flood elevation shall be replaced below the proposed ten-year flood elevation. All designated floodway storage lost above the existing ten-year flood elevation shall be replaced above the proposed ten-year flood elevation. All such excavations shall be constructed to drain freely and openly to the watercourse.
(e) If the compensatory storage will not be placed at the location of the proposed construction, the applicant’s engineer shall demonstrate to IDNR/OWR through a determination of flood discharges and water surface elevations that the compensatory storage is hydraulically equivalent.
(f) There shall be no reduction in floodway surface area as a result of a floodway modification, unless the modification is necessary to reduce flooding at existing structure.
(3) Preservation of floodway velocities so as not to increase stream erosion or flood heights.
(a) For all appropriate uses, except bridges or culverts or on-stream structures, the proposed work will not result in an increase in the average channel or designated floodway velocities or stage for all flood events up to and including the 100-year frequency event.
(b) In the case of bridges or culverts or on-stream structures built for the purpose of backing up water in the stream during normal or flood flows, velocities may be increased at the structure site if scour, erosion and sedimentation will be avoided by the use of rip-rap or other design measures.
(4) Construction of new bridges or culvert crossings and roadway approaches.
(a) The proposed structure shall not result in an increase of upstream flood stages greater than 0.1 foot when compared to the existing conditions for all flood events up to and including the 100-year frequency event; or the upstream flood stage increases will be contained within the channel banks (or within existing vertical extensions of the channel banks) such as within the design protection grade of existing levees or flood walls or within recorded flood easements.
(b) If the proposed construction will increase upstream flood stages greater than 0.1 foot, the developer must contact IDNR/OWR to obtain a permit for a dam or waiver.
1. The engineering analysis of upstream flood stages must be calculated using the flood study flows, and corresponding flood elevations for tailwater conditions for the flood study specified in § 156.05 of this chapter. Culverts must be analyzed using the U.S. DOT, FHWA Hydraulic Chart for the Selection of Highway Culverts. Bridges must be analyzed using the U.S. DOT/Federal Highway Administration Hydraulics of Bridge Waterways calculation procedures.
2. Lost floodway storage must be compensated for per division (C)(2) above.
3. Velocity increases must be mitigated per division (C)(3) above.
4. If the crossing is proposed over a public water that is used for recreational or commercial navigation, an IDNR/OWR permit must be received.
5. The hydraulic analysis for the backwater caused by the bridge showing the existing condition and proposed regulatory profile must be submitted to IDNR/OWR for concurrence that a CLOMR is not required by this section.
6. All excavations for the construction of the crossing shall be designed per division (C)(8) below.
(5) Reconstruction or modification of existing bridges, culverts and approach roads.
(a) The bridge or culvert and roadway approach reconstruction or modification shall be constructed with no more than 0.1 foot increase in backwater over the existing flood profile for all flood frequencies up to and including the 100-year event, if the existing structure is not a source of flood damage.
(b) If the existing bridge or culvert and roadway approach is a source of flood damage to buildings or structures in the upstream floodplain, the applicant’s engineer shall evaluate the feasibility of redesigning the structure to reduce the existing backwater, taking into consideration the effects on flood stages on upstream and downstream properties.
(c) The determination as to whether or not the existing crossing is a source of flood damage and should be redesigned must be prepared in accordance with 17 Ill. Admin. Code part 3708 (Floodway Construction in Northeastern Illinois) and submitted to IDNR/OWR for review and concurrence before a permit is issued.
(6) On-stream structures built for the purpose of backing up water.
(a) Any increase in upstream flood stages greater than 0.0 foot when compared to the existing conditions, for all flood events up to and including the 100-year frequency event shall be contained within the channel banks (or within existing vertical extensions of the channel banks) such as within the design protection grade of existing levees or flood walls or within recorded flood easements.
(b) A permit or letter indicating a permit is not required must be obtained from IDNR/OWR for any structure built for the purpose of backing up water in the stream during normal or flood flow.
(c) All dams and impoundment structures, as defined in § 156.02, shall meet the permitting requirements of 17 Ill. Admin. Code part 3702 (Construction and Maintenance of Dams). If the proposed activity involves a modification of the channel or floodway to accommodate an impoundment, it shall be demonstrated that:
1. The impoundment is determined to be in the public interest by providing flood control, public recreation or regional storm water detention;
2. The impoundment will not prevent the migration of indigenous fish species, which require access to upstream areas as part of their life cycle, such as for spawning;
3. The impoundment will not cause or contribute to degraded water quality or habitat conditions. Impoundment design should include gradual bank slopes, appropriate bank stabilization measures and a pre-sedimentation basin;
4. A non-point source control plan has been implemented in the upstream watershed to control the effects of sediment runoff as well as minimize the input of nutrients, oil and grease, metals, and other pollutants. If there is more than one municipality in the upstream watershed, the municipality in which the impoundment is constructed should coordinate with upstream municipalities to ensure comprehensive watershed control; and
5. The project otherwise complies with the requirements of this subchapter.
(7) Floodproofing of existing habitable, residential and commercial structures.
(a) If construction is required beyond the outside dimensions of the existing building, the outside perimeter of the floodproofing construction shall be placed no further than ten feet from the outside of the building.
(b) Compensation of lost storage and conveyance will not be required for floodproofing activities.
(8) Excavation in the floodway.
(a) When excavation is proposed in the design of bridges and culvert openings, including the modifications to and replacement of existing bridge and culvert structures, or to compensate for lost conveyance or other appropriate uses, transition sections shall be provided for the excavation.
(b) The following expansion and contraction ratios shall be used unless an applicant’s engineer can prove to IDNR/OWR through engineering calculations or model tests that more abrupt transitions may be used with the same efficiency.
1. When water is flowing from a narrow section to a wider section, the water should be assumed to expand no faster than at a rate of one foot horizontal for every four feet of the flooded stream’s length.
2. When water is flowing from a wide section to a narrow section, the water should be assumed to contract no faster than at a rate of one foot horizontal for every one foot of the flooded stream’s length.
3. When expanding or contracting flows in a vertical direction, a minimum of one foot vertical transition for every ten feet of stream length shall be used.
4. Erosion/scour protection shall be provided inland upstream and downstream of the transition sections.
(9) Channel modification. If the proposed activity involves a channel modification, it shall be demonstrated that:
(a) There are no practicable alternatives to the activity which would accomplish its purpose with less impact to the natural conditions of the body of water affected. Possible alternatives include levees, bank stabilization, floodproofing of existing structures, removal of structures from the floodplain, clearing the channel, high flow channel or the establishment of a stream side buffer strip or green belt. Channel modification is acceptable if the purpose is to restore natural conditions and improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat;
(b) Water quality, habitat and other natural functions would be significantly improved by the modification and no significant habitat area may be destroyed, or the impacts are offset by the replacement of an equivalent degree of natural resource values;
(c) The activity has been planned and designed and will be constructed in a way which will minimize its adverse impacts on the natural conditions of the body of water affected, consistent with the following criteria.
1. The physical characteristics of the modified channel shall match as closely as possible those of the existing channel in length, cross-section, slope and sinuosity. If the existing channel has been previously modified, restoration of more natural physical conditions should be incorporated into channel modification design, where practical.
2. Hydraulically effective transitions shall be provided at both the upstream and downstream ends of the project, designed such that they will prevent erosion.
3. One-sided construction of a channel shall be used when feasible. Removal of streamside (riparian) vegetation should be limited to one side of the channel, where possible, to preserve the shading and stabilization effects of the vegetation.
4. Clearing of stabilizing vegetation shall be limited to that which is essential for construction of the channel.
5. Channel banks shall be constructed with a side slope no steeper than three to one (3:1) horizontal to vertical, wherever practicable. Native vegetation and gradual side slopes are the preferred methods for bank stabilization. Where high velocities or sharp bends necessitate the use of alternative stabilization measures, soil bioengineering techniques, natural rock or rip-rap are preferred approaches. Artificial materials such as concrete, gabions or construction rubble should be avoided unless there are no practicable alternatives.
6. All disturbed areas associated with the modification shall be seeded or otherwise stabilized as soon as possible upon completion of construction. Erosion blanket or an equivalent material shall be required to stabilize disturbed channel banks prior to establishment of the vegetative cover.
7. If the existing channel contains considerable bottom diversity such as deep pools, riffles and other similar features, the features shall be provided in the new channel. Spawning and nesting areas and flow characteristics compatible with fish habitat shall also be established, where appropriate.
8. A sediment basin shall be installed at the downstream end of the modification to reduce sedimentation and degradation of downstream water quality.
9. New or relocated channels should be built in the dry and all items of construction, including vegetation, should be completed prior to diversion of water into the new channel.
10. There shall be no increases in stage or velocity as the channel enters or leaves the project site for any frequency flood unless necessitated by a public flood control project or unless such an increase is justified as part of a habitat improvement or erosion control project.
11. Unless the modification is for a public flood control project, there shall be no reduction in the volume of flood water storage outside the floodway as a result of the modification.
(d) The project otherwise complies with the requirements of this subchapter.
(10) Seeding and stabilization plan. For all activities located in a floodway, a seeding and stabilization plan shall be submitted by the applicant.
(11) Soil erosion and sedimentation measures. For all activities in the floodway, including grading, filling and excavation, in which there is potential for erosion of exposed soil, soil erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be employed consistent with the following criteria.
(a) The construction area shall be minimized to preserve the maximum vegetation possible. Construction shall be scheduled to minimize the time soil is exposed and unprotected. In no case shall the existing natural vegetation be destroyed, removed or disturbed more than 15 days prior to the initiation of improvements.
(b) Temporary and/or permanent soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas as soon as possible. As a minimum, soil stabilization shall be provided within 15 days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site, and within 15 days to denuded areas which may not be at final grade but will remain undisturbed for longer than 60 days.
(c) Sedimentation control measures shall be installed before any significant grading or filling is initiated on the site to prevent the movement of eroded sediments off site or into the channel. Potential sediment control devices include filter fences, straw bale fences, check dams, diversion ditches and sediment traps and basins.
(d) A vegetated buffer strip of at least 25 feet in width shall be preserved and/or re-established, where possible, along existing channels. (See division (C)(15) below.) Construction vehicle use of channels shall be minimized. Temporary stream crossings shall be constructed, where necessary, to minimize erosion. Necessary construction in or along channels shall be restabilized immediately.
(e) Soil erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be designed and implemented consistent with “Procedures and Standards for Urban Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control in Illinois” (1988) also known as the “Green Book” and “The Illinois Urban Manual” (NRCS, 1995).
(12) Public flood control projects. For public flood control projects, the permitting requirements of this section will be considered met if the applicant can demonstrate to IDNR/OWR through hydraulic and hydrologic calculations that the proposed project will not singularly or cumulatively result in increased flood heights outside the project right-of-way or easements for all flood events up to and including the 100-year frequency event.
(13) General criteria for analysis of flood elevations.
(a) The flood profiles, flows and floodway data in the designated floodway study, referenced in § 156.05, must be used for analysis of the base conditions. If the study data appears to be in error or conditions have changed, IDNR/OWR shall be contacted for approval and concurrence on the appropriate base conditions data to use.
(b) If the 100-year designated floodway elevation at the site of the proposed construction is affected by backwater from a downstream receiving stream with a larger drainage area, the proposed construction shall be shown to meet:
1. The requirements of this section for the 100-year frequency flood elevations of the designated floodway conditions; and
2. Conditions with the receiving stream at normal water elevations.
(c) If the applicant learns from IDNR/OWR, local governments or a private owner that a downstream restrictive bridge or culvert is scheduled to be removed, reconstructed, modified or a regional flood control project is scheduled to be built, removed, constructed or modified within the next five years, the proposed construction shall be analyzed and shown to meet the requirements of this section for both the existing conditions and the expected flood profile conditions when the bridge, culvert or flood control project is built.
(14) Conditional letter of map revision.
(a) If the appropriate use would result in a change in the designated floodway location or the 100-year frequency flood elevation, the applicant shall submit to IDNR/OWR and FEMA all information, calculations and documents necessary to be issued a conditional designated floodway map revision and receive from IDNR/OWR a conditional concurrence of the designated floodway change before a permit is issued.
(b) The final designated floodway map will not be changed by FEMA until as-built plans or record drawings of initial filling, grading, dredging or excavating activities are submitted and accepted by FEMA and IDNR/OWR.
(c) In the case of non-government projects, the municipality in incorporated areas and the county in unincorporated areas shall concur with the proposed conditional designated floodway map revision before IDNR/OWR approval can be given.
(d) No filling, grading, dredging or excavating shall take place until a conditional approval is issued.
(e) After initial filling, grading, dredging or excavating, no activities shall take place until a final letter of map revision (LOMR) is issued by FEMA with concurrence from IDNR/OWR.
(15) Professional engineer’s supervision. All engineering analyses shall be performed by or under the supervision of a registered professional engineer.
(16) Construction within 25 feet. For all activities in the floodway involving construction within 25 feet of the channel, the following criteria shall be met.
(a) A natural vegetation buffer strip shall be preserved within at least 25 feet of the ordinary high water mark of the channel.
(b) Where it is impossible to protect this buffer strip during the construction of an appropriate use, a vegetated buffer strip shall be established upon completion of construction.
(17) Certain construction. After receipt of conditional approval of the designated floodway change and issuance of a permit and a conditional letter of map revision, construction as necessary to change the floodway designation may proceed, but no buildings or structures or other construction that is not an appropriate use may be placed in that area until the designated floodway map is changed and a final letter of map revision is received. The designated floodway map will be revised upon acceptance and concurrence by IDNR/OWR and FEMA of the “as-built” plans.
(D) For those projects listed below located in a designated floodway, the following criteria shall be submitted to IDNR/OWR for their review and concurrence and/or permit prior to the issuance of a permit by a community or county delegated state permitting authority in the floodway:
(1) An engineer’s analysis of the flood profile due to a proposed bridge pursuant to division (C)(4) above;
(2) An engineer’s determination that an existing bridge or culvert crossing is not a source of flood damage and the analysis indicating the proposed flood profile, pursuant to division (C)(5) above;
(3) Alternative transition sections and hydraulically equivalent storage pursuant to divisions (C)(1), (C)(2) and (C)(8);
(4) The construction of any IDNR/OWR projects, dams (as defined in § 156.02 of this chapter) and all other state, federal or local units of government projects, including projects of the municipality or county;
(5) An engineer’s determination that a proposed bridge affected by backwater from a downstream receiving stream may be built with a smaller opening;
(6) Projects which revise or establish the floodway and/or flood profiles; and
(7) Projects in public bodies of water.
(E) (1) In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, a development permit for a site located in a floodway shall not be issued unless the applicant first obtains a permit or written documentation that a permit is not required from IDNR/OWR, issued pursuant to ILCS Ch. 615, Act 5, §§ 5 et seq.
(2) No permit from IDNR/OWR shall be required if IDNR/OWR has delegated this responsibility to the village.
(F) (1) Any work involving the construction, modification or removal of a dam, as defined in § 156.02, per 17 Ill. Admin. Code part 3702 (Rules for Construction of Dams), shall obtain an IDNR/OWR permit prior to the start of construction of a dam.
(2) If the Building Inspector finds a dam that does not have an IDNR/OWR permit, the Building Inspector shall immediately notify the IDNR/OWR Bartlett office.
(3) If the Building Inspector finds a dam which is believed to be in unsafe condition, the Building Inspector shall immediately notify the owner of the dam, the IDNR/OWR Bartlett office, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).
(G) The following activities may be permitted without a registered professional engineer’s review. The activities shall still meet the other requirements of this chapter, including the mitigation requirements.
(1) (a) Underground and overhead utilities that:
1. Do not result in any increase in existing ground elevations;
2. Do not require the placement of above ground structures in the floodway; or
3. In the case of underground stream crossings, the top of the pipe or encasement is buried a minimum of three feet below the existing streambed.
(b) Overhead utility lines shall be constructed above the estimated 100-year frequency flood elevation or attached above the low chord of an existing bridge (with the permission of the bridge owner). No supporting towers shall be placed in the watercourse and shall be designed so as to not catch debris.
(c) Disturbance of streamside vegetation shall be kept to minimum during construction to prevent erosion and sedimentation. All disturbed floodway areas, including the stream banks shall be restored to their original contours and seeded or otherwise stabilized upon completion of construction.
(d) A utility crossing carrying material which may cause water pollution as defined by the Environmental Protection Act, ILCS Ch. 415, Act 5 (1992 State Bar Edition), shall be provided with shut-off valves on each side of the body of water to be crossed.
(e) All State Commerce Commission, National Electric Safety Codes and federal requirements for clearance must be met.
(2) Storm and sanitary sewer relief outfalls that:
(a) Do not extend riverward or lakeward of the existing adjacent natural bank slope;
(b) Do not result in an increase in ground elevation; and
(c) Are designed so as not to cause stream erosion at the outfall location.
(3) Construction of sidewalks, athletic fields (excluding fences), properly anchored playground equipment and patios at grade.
(4) (a) Construction of shoreline and streambank protection that:
1. Does not exceed 1,000 feet in length;
2. Materials are not placed higher than the existing top of bank; and
3. Materials are placed so as not to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream channel or bank of the lake.
(b) Stabilization utilizing native vegetation and gradual side slopes are the preferred mitigation methods for existing erosion problems. Where high channel velocities, sharp bends or wave action necessitate the use of alternative stabilization measures, soil bioengineering techniques, natural rock or rip-rap are preferred materials. Artificial materials such as concrete, construction rubble and gabions should be avoided unless there are no practicable alternatives.
(5) Temporary stream crossings in which:
(a) The approach roads will be one-half foot or less above natural grade;
(b) The crossing will allow stream flow to pass without backing up the water above the stream bank vegetation line or above any drainage tile or outfall invert;
(c) The top of the roadway fill in the channel will be at least two feet below the top of the lowest bank. Any fill in the channel shall be non-erosive material, such as rip-rap or gravel;
(d) All disturbed stream banks will be seeded or otherwise stabilized as soon as possible upon installation and again upon removal of construction; and
(e) The access road and temporary crossings will be removed within one year after authorization.
(Ord. 05-09, passed 5-24-2005)