SECTION 785:55-1-1. Authority and purpose

(a)   Authority. These rules have been promulgated and adopted pursuant to and as authorized by 82 O.S. 1981, §§1601 et seq., as amended.

(b)   Purpose of rules. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to set forth the minimum criteria for development of state owned or state operated property within floodplains and to comply with the requirements necessary to establish eligibility and maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, as set forth in the Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations at 44 C.F.R., Part 60. These criteria and requirements are to:

(1)   Protect human life and health;

(2)   Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;

(3)   Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally under taken at the expense of the general public;

(4)   Minimize prolonged business interruptions;

(5)   Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in floodplains;

(6)   Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood losses;

(7)   Insure that potential buyers are notified that property is in a flood area; and

(8)   Allow for the procurement of flood insurance.

(c)   Coordination role of Board. The Board acts as state coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and in that role provides guidance and information to local communities' floodplain boards about the NFIP and FEMA regulations promulgated thereunder. The Board also disseminates copies of floodplain maps which show the 100-year floodplain, upon payment of fees as set forth in Chapter 5 of this Title.

[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3369, eff 6-25-93; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 2808, eff 7-1-97]