The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable rules
and regulations for floodplain, watershed and stormwater management
in order to:
A. Protect and preserve the quality and environmental values of land
and water resources in the City;
B. Encourage development in a manner that promotes the orderly, sustainable
and cost-effective utilization of land and water resources;
C. Minimize the impact of development on flood hazards, erosion, and
water quality;
D. Minimize the need for additional expenditure of public funds for
flood control projects, repairs to flood-damaged public facilities
and utilities, and flood-related emergency operations;
E. Minimize additional disruption of governmental services and the economy
due to flooding and drainage problems;
F. Maintain eligibility for the NFIP by equaling or exceeding federal
floodplain development regulations (the NFIP is codified as 44 CFR
59-79, as amended), thereby making federally subsidized flood insurance
available to residents in participating communities;
G. Protect the hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality, aquatic habitat,
recreation and other beneficial functions of streams, ponds, lakes,
wetlands, and flood storage areas;
H. Protect the quantity and quality of groundwater resources;
I. Meet the requirements of The Rivers, Lakes and Streams Act, Resources,
615 ILCS 5/1 et. seq.;
J. Minimize harm due to periodic flooding, including loss of life and
property and threats and inconveniences to public health, safety and
welfare;
K. Protect buildings and improvements to buildings from flood damage;
L. Facilitate the permitting of sound maintenance of channels and existing
stormwater management systems; and
M. Require the regular, planned maintenance of new stormwater management
systems.