2005 Idaho Code - 46-1020 — PURPOSE AND FINDINGS

                                  TITLE  46
                         MILITIA AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
                                  CHAPTER 10
                       STATE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ACT
    46-1020.  PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. (1) The legislature of the state of Idaho
finds:
    (a)  That recurring floods in Idaho threaten human life, health and
    property and that the public interest requires that the floodplains of
    Idaho be managed and regulated in order to minimize flood hazards to life,
    health and property.
    (b)  That it is the policy of this state to reduce flood damage and the
    number of people and structures at risk in flood hazard areas through
    proper floodplain management, including such measures as floodplain zoning
    ordinances which require structures to be built at a flood protection
    elevation and/or with floodproofing.
    (c)  That local units of government have the primary responsibility for
    planning, adoption and enforcement of land use regulations to accomplish
    this proper floodplain management.  Furthermore, they are best able to
    adopt and implement comprehensive floodplain management programs that
    include nonregulatory techniques to accomplish the purposes of this act in
    cooperation with federal, state and local agencies.
    (2)  The purpose of this act is:
    (a)  To protect human life, health and property;
    (b)  To preserve floodplains for the purpose of carrying and storing flood
    waters;
    (c)  To reduce the public cost of providing emergency services, flood
    control structures and rebuilding public works damaged by floods;
    (d)  To protect the tax base and jobs in Idaho;
    (e)  To reduce the threat of increased damage to existing development;
    (f)  To encourage the orderly development and wise use of floodplains;
    (g)  To minimize interruptions to business;
    (h)  To prevent increased flooding and erosion caused by improper
    development.