Purpose

Purpose.

(1) The Wisconsin legislature in enacting chapter 614, laws of 1965 , recognized that floodplain zoning is a necessary tool to protect human life, health and to minimize property damages and economic losses. Municipalities are required by s. 87.30 (1) , Stats., to adopt reasonable and effective floodplain zoning ordinances within their respective jurisdictions to regulate all floodplains where serious flood damage may occur within one year after hydraulic and engineering data adequate to formulate the ordinance becomes available. If a municipality has a floodplain zoning ordinance already in effect, the provisions in s. NR 116.05 shall apply.

(2) The purpose of these rules is to provide a uniform basis for the preparation and implementation of sound floodplain regulations for all Wisconsin municipalities, to:

(a) Protect life, health and property;

(b) Minimize expenditures of public monies for costly flood control projects;

(c) Minimize rescue and relief efforts, generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;

(d) Minimize business interruptions;

(e) Minimize damage to public facilities such as water mains, sewer lines, streets and bridges;

(f) Minimize the occurrence of future flood blight areas;

(g) Discourage the victimization of unwary land and home buyers; and

(h) Prevent increases in the regional flood from occurring which will increase flood damage and may result in conflict and litigation between landowners.