04-15-1999 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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• CITY OF LA PORTE, TX CRS ACTIVITY 510 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN Review Possible Activities It is important that the City consider all possible ways to reduce flood losses and protect the natural areas. To ensure that the full range of alternatives were reviewed, the strategies and tools recommended by the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management (FEMA Publication 248, 1994) were used. The Unified National Program lists four strategies and numerous tools to prevent or reduce flood losses and to preserve and restore the natural resources and functions of floodplains. The strategies and tools are summarized below: Unified National Pr ram for Floodplain Management (FEMA Publication 248, 19941 Strategy 1: Modify human susceptibility to flood damage and disruption by avoiding hazardous, uneconomic, or unwise use of floodplains. Tools include: • Floodplain regulations, e.g. zoning, to steer development away from hazardous areas or natural areas deserving preservation; subdivision regulations; and building, health and sanitary codes. • Development and redevelopment polices on the design and location of public services, utilities, and critical facilities; land acquisition; open space preservation; and permanent relocation of buildings. • Floodproofing of new buildings and retrofitting of existing ones. • Flood forecasting, warning systems, and emergency plans that prepare people and property for flooding. • Preservation and restoration of the natural resources and functions of floodplains. Strategy 2: Modify the impact of flooding by assisting individuals and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from floods. Tools Include: • Information and education to assist self-help and protection measures. • Flood emergency measure to protect people and property during the flood. • Disaster assistance, flood insurance, and tax adjustments to reduce the financial impact of flooding. • Post flood recovery plans and programs to help people rebuild and implement mitigation measures to protect against future floods. Strategy 3: Modify flooding through projects that control floodwaters. Tools Include: • Dams and reservoirs that store excess waters upstream of development. • Dikes, levees, and floodwalls that keep waters away from developed areas. • Channel alterations that make the channel more efficient, so overbank flooding will be less frequent. • High flow diversions that send excess waters off to undeveloped areas. City of La Porte Page I I of 25 Planning Department, rmh May 13, 1999