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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Fl oodproo_!.~ng VI-6 Floodproofing is an important nonstructural fl oodpl ai 11 managPment tooL and is applicable mainly to substantial structures, such as commercial/industrial buildings and public facilities. Floodproofing should be carried out under the direction of a Professional Engineer or 1 icensed Architect. Flood- proofing measures include watertight doors, bulkheads, and shutters; water proofing walls: check valves on sewer drains, and deliberate distribution of content s stored withi n a struc ture. However, fl oodproofi ng measures wh i ch require hl.l11an action to activate are not recommended. The feasibility of floodproofing individual structures must be analyzed on a structure-by- structure basis. Floodproofing may be accompl ished in high hazard areas, or after a flood in concert with other post-flood mitigation actions. Floodpronfing may be retro-fitted to protect existing structures located within the regulatory floodplain. Any new structures need to be outside flood prone areas or should be elevated above the IOO-year floodplain e 1 ev at i on, thereby fl oodproofi ng for nE'W structures may not be as necessary. governmental jurisdictions should develop flood disaster contingency plans which allow for the acquisition of flood damaged properties in order to expand the open space system along lower Clear Creek. Acquisition should be selectively used to acquire properties under development pressure, while other lands may be controlled through use of zoning regulations. An urban area renewal plan could be developed to assist the local jurisdic- tions in acquisition and redevelopment of the floodplain over a period of time (phased acquisition). It should be noted that floodplain acquisition prior to a flood event was found not to be cost effective. However, acquisition of damaged or destroyed structures after a flood event, in cooperation with the Federal Insurance Administration, may be desirable. Structure Removal and Relocation Floodplain Acquisition . Eventually, all residential structures remalnlng within the IOO-year flood- p 1 a i n shoul d be removed. When land is rezoned or placed in a flood hazard district, the existing structures may no longer conform to the new zoning. Such uses or buildings are then held to be "nonconforming". The general policy is that such uses and buildings are permitted to continue, but that nonconformity should eventually cease. Floodplain lands can bE' publicly acquired by purchase or dedication, and often prove to be a cost-effective form of floodplain management. The lower Cl ear Creek fl oodpl ain corridor has been designated for open space and recreat i on use by the Cities of Wheat Ri dge and Arvad a, Jefferson and Adans Counties and the Denver Regional Council of Governments. A pedestrian bicycle trail system has been pl anned and partially constructed along lower Clear Creek from the confluence of the South Platte River to Youngfield. Several park areas currently exist along this corridor. Acquisition by all governmental jurisdictions of vacant flood-prone land for open space or re- creational uses should be encouraged. As a practical matter, such removal may be possible only after a devastating flood when the structures are totally destroyed or substantially damaged. In such an event, the destroyed or damaged structures should not be repaired or rebuilt, but should be purchased, cleared, and the land dedicated for local park, recreation, and open space purposes. by floods. Local Acquisition of flood Flood Insurance Act , damaged structures is provided for under the National Section 1362, and the "constructive total loss" provi- Acqui sition of been totally flood hazard parcels is also destroyed or substantially possible danaged after structures have