2014 Arkansas Code
Title 14 - Local Government
Subtitle 16 - Public Health And Welfare Generally
Chapter 268 - Flood Loss Prevention
§ 14-268-101 - Legislative determination.

It is found and declared:

(1) That there are communities and areas in this state which have suffered from, and are threatened by, floods and the incidents and hazards of flooding;

(2) That flooding in the areas causes destruction of life and property, contributes to the spread of disaster-related diseases, and constitutes a hindrance to the economic development of this state and to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this state;

(3) That flood hazards in these flood-prone areas impair their economy and tax revenues;

(4) That insurance with federal reinsurance or other federal assistance will not be available to property owners in these communities unless adequate land use and control measures, consistent with federal criteria, are adopted by the communities prior to June 30, 1970;

(5) That it is the policy of this state to encourage and support all appropriate actions to prevent and lessen these flood hazards and losses;

(6) That it is necessary to adopt state and local measures which, to the maximum extent feasible, will:

(A) Discourage the development of land by improvements which are exposed to flood damage;

(B) Guide the development of proposed construction away from locations which are threatened by flood hazards;

(C) Assist in reducing damage caused by floods; and

(D) Otherwise improve long-range land management in, and use of, flood-prone areas; and

(7) That the enactment of these measures by cities, towns, counties, or the state constitutes a public purpose necessary to the protection and promotion of the economic development of this state and to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this state.