Trinity County Municipal Code Art. II Administration

A planning director-issued use permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 15.16.070. Application for a planning director-issued use permit shall be made on forms furnished by the floodplain administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:

A. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures;

B. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, to which any structure will be floodproofed;

C. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 15.16.140(D); and

D. Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

(Ord. 1176 §4.1, 1993)

The planning director is appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying floodplain development permits in accordance with its provisions. A planning commissioner, county supervisor or the floodplain administrator may at his or her discretion, refer the permit to the planning commission for a public hearing and approval.

(Ord. 1176 §4.2, 1993)

The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not limited to:

A. Permit Review. Review all development permits to determine that:

1. The permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;

2. All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;

3. The site is reasonably safe from flooding;

4. The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of the area where base flood elevations have been determined but floodways have not been delineated. For purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, where combined with all other existing and anticipated development will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point;

5. The proposed development does not limit the ability to flush sediment out of the Trinity River by the use of controlled water releases from Lewiston Dam;

6. The proposed development does not adversely impact fish or wildlife resources associated with riparian vegetation within an area of special flood hazards.

B. Review and Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.16.070, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer Article III. Any such information shall be submitted to the board of supervisors for adoption.

C. Alteration or Relocation of Watercourse. Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated:

1. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to such alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency;

2. Require that the flood-carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.

D. Public Inspection. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed:

1. The certification required in Section 15.16.160(c)(1), (flood elevations);

2. The certification required in Section 15.16.160(C)(2)(c), (elevation, or floodproofing, of nonresidential structures);

3. The certification required in Section 15.16.160(c)(3)(a) or (b), (wet floodproofing standard);

4. The certification required in Section 15.16.180 (B), (subdivision standards);

5. The certification required in Section 15.16.200 (A), (floodway encroachments).

E. Interpretation of Boundaries. Make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the area of special flood hazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Article IV.

F. Remedy of Violations. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in Section 15.16.080.

(Ord. 1176 §4.3, 1993)

Floodplain development permits issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall comply with the provisions of the california Environmental Quality Act as set forth in Title 18 of this code.

(Ord. 1176 §4.4, 1993)