The purpose of these regulations is to permit only that development of flood-prone areas which:

A.

Is appropriate in light of the probability of flood damage and the need to preclude flood losses;

B.

Represents an acceptable social and economic use of the land relative to the hazards involved;

C.

Does not increase danger to life or property anywhere adjacent to or in the floodplain area.

It is intended that areas adjacent to rivers and streams be retained from structures and other obstructions to water flow during periodic uses in the water level. This district is intended to protect floodplains so that floodwaters may have a natural course to follow, that the water level may rise and cover larger land surfaces for the purposes greater water protection and recharging of the underground water supply. It is further intended that existing wildlife habitats and ecosystems are preserved or enhanced and these lands remain the townships natural corridors.

(Prior code § 14-16.1)

As used in this chapter:

"Channel" means a natural depression of perceptible extent, with a definite bed and banks to confine and conduct flowing water either continuously or periodically.

"Design flood (floodway or flood hazard area)" means the relative size or magnitude of a flood, expressed as a design discharge in cubic feet per second, which is developed from hydrologic criteria; represents a major flood of reasonable expectancy; reflects both flood experience and flood potential; and is the basis of the delineation of the floodway and the flood hazard area and of the water surface elevations thereof.

"Design flood profile (floodway or flood hazard area)" means the elevations of the water surface of the floodway design flood and the flood hazard area design flood.

"Flood fringe area" means that portion of the flood hazard area not designated as the floodway.

"Flood hazard area" means the floodway and additional portions of the floodplain that are subject to flood flow at lesser depths and lower velocities than the floodway and that are inundated by the flood hazard area design flood.

"Floodplain" means the relatively flat terrain adjoining a water channel which has been or may be hereafter covered by floodwater of the channel.

"Floodway" means the channel and portions of the adjacent floodplain that carry the greater part of flood flow at greater depths and velocities than do the other parts of the floodplain; that constitute the minimum area required for the passage of flood flows without aggravating flood conditions upstream and downstream; and that are necessary to preserve the natural regimen of the stream for the reasonable passage of the floodway design flood.

(Prior code § 14-16.2)

The following maps, and other sources of information deemed appropriate, shall be used to specify floodway and flood hazard areas for channels in the township:

A.

Official map of East Greenwich Township on file in the office of the township clerk and hereby incorporated into this chapter by reference as fully set forth in this text;

B.

Soil survey for East Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey; United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service;

C.

Delineation of flood hazard areas report as published by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resources.

(Prior code § 14-16.3)

A.

All other streams and waterways in the township not included above are deemed to be floodplains. Twenty (20) feet on both sides of streams as measured from the centerline of streams are presumed to be floodplains in the absence of proof to the contrary.

B.

This chapter shall also consist of any and all reports, maps, revisions and amendments of these texts as may be prepared from time to time; provided, that such additional documents are in agreement with the township engineer, Corps of Engineers, Soil Conservation Service or any agency of the United States Government authorized to define floodplain criteria.

C.

In cases of doubt, uncertainty or dispute as to the exact limits of the floodplain, the floodwater or flood hazard area in a proposed development, the township engineer shall, upon the application and with the consent of the landowner, determine the precise location of a flood plain, floodway or flood hazard area limit by close inspection, field survey or other appropriate method, and cause the same to be marked on the ground notifying the landowner, the building inspector and the approving authority of the results thereof. The cost of such engineering shall be borne by the applicant.

(Prior code § 14-16.4)

A.

The floodplain district shall be deemed an overlay on any zoning district now or hereafter applicable to any lot.

B.

Should the floodplain district be declared inapplicable to any tract, the zoning applicable to such lot shall be deemed to be the zone in which it is located without consideration of this chapter. In appropriate cases, the centerline of the stream shall be in the district boundary line.

C.

Lands in the floodplain shall not be used to calculate the allowable number of units in a project. Such area may be included in open space calculations.

(Prior code § 14-16.5)

A.

Floodway. In the floodway, no building or structure shall be permitted, nor shall any material be stored, nor shall any fill be placed, nor shall the elevation of the lands be substantially changed. The following uses are permitted:

1.

Parks, playgrounds and conservation areas;

2.

Growing and harvesting of crops;

3.

Unpaved parking areas;

B.

Flood Hazard Area. The following uses are permitted:

1.

Parks, playgrounds and conservation areas;

2.

Growing and harvesting of crops;

3.

Unpaved parking areas;

4.

Underground utilities;

5.

Sealed public water supply wells;

6.

Yard areas for accessory uses permitted in the adjoining zoning district upon approval of the planning board; provided, that the portion of the floodplain is part of the same lot in the adjoining district; and provided further, that no building or structure shall be permitted if the elevation of any floor of such a structure, including basement, shall be less than one foot above the flood hazard area design flood profile.

(Prior code § 14-16.6)

For any use of land in the floodplain district, except uses existing as of May, 1987, an application for a floodplain permit shall proceed as follows:

A.

The applicant shall apply to the township in accordance with either the site development plan procedures or the subdivision procedures.

B.

In addition to the information required in the above noted procedures, the applicant shall also furnish a plan certified by a registered professional engineer showing the following data:

1.

Contour lines at intervals of not more than two feet;

2.

Floodplain, floodway and flood hazard limits and developments therein;

3.

Channel or stream;

4.

Proposed fill limits, regrading and elevations;

5.

The location, layout and elevation of existing and proposed parking areas;

6.

Exact size, shape, location and elevation of existing and proposed buildings and structures;

7.

Plantings, seedings and signs;

8.

Such other information as shall be reasonably required for an evaluation of the effect of the proposed development.

(Prior code § 14-16.7)