Flood Plain Building Shot Down In Senate

The Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday that discourages people from building on Idaho’s flood plains.

The bill, backed by Gov. Phil Batt, would encourage local governments to enforce flood plain management ordinances that prevent residents from building on flood plains unless they have adequate flood proofing.

The measure would not stop building, but would exempt the state from matching cash received from federal disaster funds.

Idaho spent $10 million last year to provide matching funds after floods occurred across the state.

Last February, warm weather caused mountain snow to melt too quickly. Hundreds of homes and building near St. Maries and Cataldo were swamped.

“The bottom line is if you’re in a flood plain you better get the elevation or other flood proofing,” Sen. Bruce Sweeney, D-Lewiston, said. “You shouldn’t rely on the state to bail you out.”

The bill passed the House 62-5 last week. , DataTimes