SECTIONS 8400-8401 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 8400-8401

8400. This chapter may be cited as the Cobey-Alquist Flood Plain
Management Act.

8401. The Legislature finds and declares that:
(a) A large portion of the state's land resources is subject to
recurrent flooding by overflow of streams and watercourses causing
loss of life and property, disruption of commerce, and interruption
of transportation and communications, all of which are detrimental to
the health, safety, welfare, and property of the people of this
state.
(b) The public interest necessitates sound development of land
use, as land is a limited, valuable, and irreplaceable resource, and
the flood plains of this state are a land resource to be developed in
a manner which, in conjunction with economically justified
structural measures for flood control, will result in (1) prevention
of loss of life, and (2) prevention of economic loss caused by
excessive flooding.
(c) The primary responsibility for planning, adoption, and
enforcement of land use regulations to accomplish flood plain
management rests with local levels of government.
(d) It is the policy of this state to encourage local levels of
government to plan land use regulations to accomplish flood plain
management and to provide state assistance and guidance therefor as
appropriate.