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<br />I <br />I <br />,I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Open Space Policies <br /> <br />The La Junta City Council and the Otero County Commission, on Sept. 2, 1997 and <br />Sept. 15, 1997, respectively, adopted a new provision to the city and county code as follows: <br /> <br />"Floodplain lands and adjacent waters combine to form a complex, dynamic physical <br />and biological system that supports a multitude of water resources, living resources and <br />societal resources. Floodplains provide La Junta and Otero Cmmty with natural flood and <br />erosion control, water-filtering processes, a wide variety of habitats for flora and fauna, <br />places for recreation and scientific study and historic and archeological sites. They are also <br />the focus of a variety of human activities, including commerce, agriculture, residence and <br />infrastructure. 2. It is the policy of the City of La Junta and Otero County to preserve these <br />natural and beneficial values of floodplains through conscious land use decision making <br />which encourages open space uses infloodplain areas." <br /> <br />Acquisition and Relocation <br /> <br />. In 1997 under FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, La Junta and Otero <br />County applied for, and were awarded, FEMA funding to acquire and demolish one repeatedly <br />flood damaged structure in the Arkansas River floodplain, as well as demolish an additional <br />nine vacant and dilapidated structures without acquisition. Though a costly proposition, city <br />and county officials are convinced it is a prudent move since this area of the floodplain has been <br />repeatedly flooded from relatively average thunderstorms, <br /> <br />Floodplain Regulations <br /> <br />Upon entrance into the NFIP, La Junta and Otero County adopted the minimwn <br />standards of the program. Since detailed mapping, with floodways, had been prepared for the <br />community, FEMA's "D" model ordinance was adopted. The regulations set the performance <br />standards by which development can occur in the community's identified floodplains. La Junta <br />and Otero County exceed the NFIP's minimum standards in one respect. All new residential <br />development must be constructed one (1) foot above the level of the l00-year flood. <br /> <br />10 <br />