Building Permits included in Flood Plain Management Issues for Drew County
May 21st, 2014 by iPhone
Judge Robert Akin advised the Quorum Court members at last night’s meeting that the Flood Damage Prevention Code, an ordinance passed in 2010 pertaining to construction in a flood plain, will be put into effect in Drew County as of May 20.
The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce adverse impact of flooding on properties, to protect lives and property, to reduce costs of recovery after a flood, and to prevent environmental changes that would exacerbate flood damage.
Compliance with the ordinance is required if the county wishes to qualify for FEMA disaster recovery assistance.
The ordinance will require that anyone wishing to construct a structure or obtain a new 911 address must obtain a permit verifying whether or not the structure will be in a flood plain. If the land is not in a flood plain, there is no further action necessary. If the land is in a flood plain, a surveyor or engineer will have to be consulted to find a way to get the structure above the flood level, either by using construction techniques appropriate for flood zones, or by having the property surveyed, and if possible, declared to not be in a flood zone. In addition, homeowners living in declared flood zones will be required to maintain qualifying levels of flood insurance. Homes constructed prior to 1998 will be exempt from carrying the higher levels of insurance, unless the home is sold or transferred to a new owner, at which time the new insurance qualifications will apply.
In addition to requiring structures vulnerable to flooding to have adequate protection, the ordinance restricts construction of structures that could adversely affect health, safety or property during a flood. It prevents the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels and natural protective barriers. It controls not only structural development, but also clearing of property or changing elevation that could increase flood, elevations, flood water velocities, or floodwater discharge patterns.
Penalties for non-compliance may include cease-and-desist order on non-compliant flood plain development projects, citations, cancellation of flood insurance coverage and a possible fine of up to $500 per day.
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