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<br />.. <br /> <br />D. Local Floodplain Policies <br />Our floodplain management policies have realized valuable results in developing floodplain studies, adopting <br />floodplain regulations, obtaining national flood insurance, creating an early warning system, acquiring <br />hazardous flood lands and constructing structural flood mitigation. However, our lead focus and primary use of <br />funding and resources has been applied to structural flood control facilities involved in capital improvement <br />construction of 100-year channels along the Boulder Creek tributaries. This approach has not fully balanced the <br />other vital nonstructural floodplain management activities or the following BVCP policies: <br /> <br />POLICY 2.27: BOULDER CREEK AND ITS TRIBUTARIES AS IMPORTANT URBAN DESIGN FEATURES. Boulder <br />Creek and its tributaries shall serVe as unifying urban design features for the community. Within available appropriations, the city and <br />county shall support the preservation or reclamation of the creek corridors for natural ecosystems, wildlife habitat and cultural <br />resources; for recreation or trails; to provide flood management; to improve air and water quality; and to provide a contrast to urban <br />development. Trail development shall be sensitive to the ecology, terrain and privacy of adjacent residents and surroundings. <br /> <br />POLICY 4.27: FLOOD MANAGEMENT. The functional and aesthetic qualities of drainage courses and waterways shall be <br />preserved and enhanced. A noncontainment approach to flood management shall be used on Boulder Creek. A generally non- <br />structural approach to flood control that emphasizes a natural appearance shall be used on all major water courses and drainageways. <br />In some cases, a structural solution may be used consistent with adopted master plans. <br /> <br />POLICY 4.29: PROTECTION OF HIGH HAZARD AREAS. The city shall prevent redevelopment of significantly flood- <br />damaged properties in high hazard areas. The city shall prepare a plan for property acquisition of flood-damaged and undeveloped <br />land in high hazard flood areas. Undeveloped high hazard flood areas will be retained in their natural state whenever possible. <br />Compatible uses of riparian corridors, such as natural ecosystems, wildlife habitat and wetlands shall be encouraged wherever <br />appropriate. Trails or other open recreational facilities may be feasible in certain areas. <br /> <br />In many ways, our current local floodplain management efforts have provided a framework for how to develop <br />in the floodplain rather than how to avoid the hazards of floodplain development. <br />. We have yet to adequately consider the potential for floods of greater than 1 OO-year. magnitude and creating <br />a self-sustaining floodplain system that will not require escalating and ongoing public maintenance <br />resources. <br />. We have not fully realized or invested in available opportunities to comprehensively study and evaluate our <br />floodplain lands for varying hydrology and hydraulic conditions, enhanced weather forecasting, and <br />improved emergency preparedness and response measures based on more advanced knowledge of our <br />floodplains and their response to floods. <br />. We have not adequately embraced or invested in opportunities to better assist our citizens in helping them <br />prepare for and protect themselves from the devastating impacts of flooding. <br />. We have not recognized and preserved the beneficial functions of floodplains and how our floodplain lands <br />can offer community benefits for the environment, local quality of life and commerce. <br /> <br />1) Boulder Creek Subcommittee of the Corps of Engineers Committee on Environmental Planning <br />(CECEP) - The CECEP was formed in 1970 to address floodplain policy issues in Boulder. At that time the <br />subcommittee's focus was applied to Boulder Creek in response to plans calling for structural measures to <br />mitigate flooding impacts. The subcommittee sought alternatives to manage flood hazards in an effort to <br />preserve the non structural character of Boulder Creek that has been recognized as a community asset. The <br />CECEP was made up of 12 members, including: Dr. Al Bartlett, Sandy Cooper, Ted Dieffenderfer, Robert <br />Easton, Richard McLean, Dr. John Shaeffer, Joe Shoemaker, Scott Tucker, Dr. Gilbert White, Dr. Bettie <br />Willard, Kenneth Wright and Ruth Wright. City Council adopted Resolution No. 141 in 1974 establishing <br />nonstructural policy guidelines for Boulder Creek floodplain management activities. These general <br />floodplain management policies included: (a) data inventory, (b) evaluation of the existing floodplain, (c) <br /> <br />8 <br />