000 Keslinger Rd, Dekalb, IL 60115

Floodplain/Conservation District

The flood hazard areas of DeKalb County, Illinois are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in flood plains causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands which are inadequately elevated, floodproofed, or otherwise protected from flood damages; In addition, certain areas of DeKalb County, Illinois contain significant natural resources, such as wetlands, woodlands, and other unique environments. These areas provide valuable habitats for flora and fauna, water retention and groundwater recharge, filtration of water to improve water quality, and irreplaceable opportunities for recreation, pleasure, and education of the public. Without concerted efforts at preservation of these resources, development may substantially alter or destroy them, depriving future generations of the many benefits provided by such areas; This district is therefore necessary to protect human life and health; to minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; to minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public; to minimize prolonged business interruptions; to minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in flood plains; and to help maintain a stable tax base providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas. This district is also necessary to preserve irreplaceable and unique natural resources for future generations; to preserve woodlands and wetlands which, because of their natural physical features, are useful as water retention and groundwater recharge areas, as habitat for plant and animal life, and as important aesthetic and scenic resources which contribute to the unique character of the County; to prevent damage to the quality of water resources in the County; to provide opportunities for viewing and enjoyment of natural resources; and to provide educational opportunities to the public within appropriate conservation areas; It is the purpose of this district to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion or in flood heights or velocities; to require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; to control the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of flood waters; and to control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase erosion or flood damage. It is also the purpose of this district to restrict certain types of development in designated conservation areas that would result in substantial diminishment or destruction of unique natural resources.