[Ord. 2016-03, 5/23/2016[1]]
The Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has, by the passage of the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act of 1978,[2] delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations to promote public health, safety, and the general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Council of the Borough of Watsontown does hereby order as follows.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded Ord. No. 2008-04, adopted 7-7-2008, which superseded former Ch. 8, Floodplains, adopted 12-3-1979 by Ord. No. 1979-6, as amended.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
[Ord. 2016-03, 5/23/2016]
1. 
The intent of this chapter is to:
A. 
Promote the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.
B. 
Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future.
C. 
Minimize danger to public health by protecting water supply and natural drainage.
D. 
Reduce financial burdens imposed on the community, its governmental units, and its residents, by preventing excessive development in areas subject to flooding.
E. 
Comply with federal and state floodplain management requirements.
[Ord. 2016-03, 5/23/2016]
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the Borough of Watsontown unless a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator.
[Ord. 2016-03, 5/23/2016]
This chapter supersedes any other conflicting provisions which may be in effect in identified floodplain areas. However, any other ordinance provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive. If there is any conflict between any of the provisions of this chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such a decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
[Ord. 2016-03, 5/23/2016]
1. 
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on accepted engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside any identified floodplain areas, or that land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages.
2. 
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Borough of Watsontown or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.