A. Purpose The purpose of these regulations is to permit only that development of flood-prone areas which is appropriate in light of the probability of flood damage and the need to reduce flood losses, which represents an acceptable social and economic use of the land in relation to the hazards involved and which does not increase the danger to human life. This zone is created in recognition of the increased threat, seventy and frequency of floods expected to result from continued development It is intended to retain areas adjacent to streams and rivers free from structures and other obstructions to the water flow during periodic rises in the water level. This district is intended to protect floodplains so that floodwaters may have a natural course to follow, that the watercourse is not constricted or altered in a manner that will increase water velocities or create a dam, that the water level may rise without danger to persons or property; that the water level may rise and cover larger land surfaces for the purposes of greater water percolation and recharging of the underground water supply, and that a park-like network is developed throughout the township along these watercourses

B. Related definitions As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated

CHANNEL - 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 - 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 - The elevations of the water surface of the floodway design flood and the flood hazard area design flood

FLOOD HAZARD AREA - 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 - The relatively fiat terrain adjoining a water channel which has been or may be hereafter covered by floodwater of the channel

FLOODWAY - 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

C. Map of floodway and flood hazard area The following maps (and other sources of information if deemed appropriate) shall be used to specify floodway and flood hazard areas for channels in the township

(1) Soil Survey for Pemberton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service

(2) Master Plan studies for Pemberton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, Pemberton Township Planning Board

D. Permitted uses

(1) 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 land be substantially changed The following uses are permitted

(a) Parks, playgrounds and conservation areas

(b) Growing and harvesting of crops

(c) Unpaved parking areas

(2) Flood hazard area In the flood hazard area, no building or structure shall be permitted if the elevation of any floor of such structure, including basement, shall be less than one foot above the flood hazard area design flood profile. The following uses are permitted:

(a) Parks, playgrounds and conservation areas.

(b) Growing and harvesting of crops.

(c) Unpaved parking areas.

(d) Underground utilities.

(e) Sealed public water supply wells.

(f) Yard areas for uses permitted in the adjoining zoning district upon approval of the Planning Board, provided that the portion of the floodplain is a part of the same lot in the adjoining district.