WSP01829

• File Number: 8030
• Description: Section D General Compact Issues - US Water Resources Council
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 8/1/1971
• Author: US Water Resources C
• Title: Regulation of Flood Hazard Areas to Reduce Flood Losses - Draft - Volume II Part V - With Appendices
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES

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CHAPTER I

. THE ROLE OF SUBDIVISION REGUl,ATIONS
IN REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES

110. SUMMARY, SUBDIVISION HEGULATIONS TO REDUCE FLOOD LOSSES

State and local subdivision regulations have wide poten-

tia1 in protecting the buyer of flood-prone lands and reducing

potential flood damages. The regulations can assure that flood

hazards are disclosed to prevent victimization and fraud, that

the property is suitable for its intended use, and.chat the sub-

divider provides suitable improvements suoh as drainage ways,

roads, sewers, and water. Subdivision regulations can reduce

f100d J0~~PR hy:

(1) prohibiting the subdivision of lands subject to
serious flooding unless hazards are overcome;

(2) requiring the designation of flood hazard areas on
. subdivision plats and the insertion of restrictions
in purchase deeds co control lands' unsuil:ab1e for
dwellings or other uses ; .

(3) prohibiting encroachment in f100dway areas. by fill
or structures l

.(4) requiring that a portion of each.lot be filled or
otherwise protected to provide a safe building site
with adequate areas for waste disposal (if onsite
facilities are used) at an elevation above flood
heights, and,

(5) requiring the installation of streets, sewers, water,
and other facilities which are flood-proofed, e1o..
vated, or otherwise protected against flood.

In addition, subdivision regulations may be used to en-

courage "clustering" of buildings'on unf100ded sites so that

flooded lands can be preserved in their natural state, and to