Gila County requires all new development be reviewed to see if the development site lies in or near a floodplain.  In this initial phase, approximately 80% of the determinations will show the parcel to be out of harm’s way and the floodplain is no longer an issue.  These 80% are free to proceed with permitting and plan checks.  Of the 20% that send up a red flag, half will be in federally designated floodplains that have precise requirements that have to be met and the other half will fall into county designated floodplains that use state standards to determine the requested requirements.

In 1968 the National Flood Insurance Act established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  In 1973 the Flood Disaster Protection Act requires NFIP participation to receive some type of disaster assistance.  Thus under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Gila County regulates building in designated floodplains.  All requests are examined to see if any of the parcel is considered in a floodplain.  A site plan (see documents for an example) could place a development out of the floodplain or help establish the correct elevation requirement of the lowest floor.  Not all areas of development are in detailed study areas.  The County regulates all drainages with more than a quarter (1/4) of a square mile of watershed areas.  This is done using Arizona State Standards developed for some type of guidance in rural areas.