FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS

Flood plain management regulations specify the type, location and elevation of allowable flood plain and floodway structures. They control new construction, but have little effect on existing structures. Their administration is complicated by private land ownership and they cannot be written in such a way that private land will be taken without compensation.

In addition to state and regional flood plain regulations, local governments also adopt and enforce flood plain regulations as the criterion for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Most local flood plain regulations comply with specifications of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and do not completely eliminate intrusions into the 100-year floodway. For example, if applicants for new construction can show that their facilities will not increase the 100-year flood elevation, they are generally permitted to build flood proofed structures which are elevated above the 100-year flood plain elevation.

Within the Delaware River Basin, there are differences among the flood plain regulations of the states. The Delaware River Basin Commission administers flood plain regulations which apply to projects reviewable under Section 3.8 of its Compact.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

	ASSOCIATION OF STATE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGERS
	FEMA - FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
	USGS FLOOD PLAINS AND FLOODS
	AMERICAN RIVERS - FLOOD PLAIN PROTECTION TOOLKIT, including NEW STRATEGIES FOR FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT

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P.O. BOX 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360
Voice (609) 883 - 9500 FAX (609) 883 - 9522
clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us