[Ord. No. 19-87, § 2]
(a)
The flood hazard areas of the Borough of Morris Plains are subject
to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property,
health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental
services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and
relief and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect
the public health, safety and general welfare.
(b)
These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions
in areas of special flood hazard which increase flood heights and
velocities and, when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas.
Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected
from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
[Ord. No. 19-87, § 2]
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health,
safety and general welfare and to minimize public losses due to flood
conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
(a)
Protect human life and health;
(b)
Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
(c)
Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding
and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
(d)
Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
(e)
Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water
and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges
located in areas of special flood hazard;
(f)
Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and
development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future
flood-blight areas;
(g)
Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an
area of special flood hazard; and
(h)
Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume
responsibility for their actions.
[Ord. No. 19-87, § 2]
In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods
and provisions for:
(a)
Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety
and property due to water or erosion hazards or which result in damaging
increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities.
(b)
Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which
serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of
initial construction.
(c)
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels
and natural protective barriers which help to accommodate or channel
floodwaters.
(d)
Controlling, filling, grading dredging and other development which
may increase flood damage.
(e)
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which
will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards
in other areas.