(1) The legislature of the state of Idaho finds:
(a)  That recurring floods in Idaho threaten human life, health and property and that the public interest requires that the floodplains of Idaho be managed and regulated in order to minimize flood hazards to life, health and property.
(b)  That it is the policy of this state to reduce flood damage and the number of people and structures at risk in flood hazard areas through proper floodplain management, including such measures as floodplain zoning ordinances which require structures to be built at a flood protection elevation and/or with floodproofing.
(c)  That local units of government have the primary responsibility for planning, adoption and enforcement of land use regulations to accomplish this proper floodplain management. Furthermore, they are best able to adopt and implement comprehensive floodplain management programs that include nonregulatory techniques to accomplish the purposes of this act in cooperation with federal, state and local agencies.
(2)  The purpose of this act is:
(a)  To protect human life, health and property;
(b)  To preserve floodplains for the purpose of carrying and storing flood waters;
(c)  To reduce the public cost of providing emergency services, flood control structures and rebuilding public works damaged by floods;
(d)  To protect the tax base and jobs in Idaho;
(e)  To reduce the threat of increased damage to existing development;
(f)  To encourage the orderly development and wise use of floodplains;
(g)  To minimize interruptions to business;
(h)  To prevent increased flooding and erosion caused by improper development.