Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1602

A. The State of Oklahoma recognizes the personal hardships and

economic distress caused by flood disasters; in particular, the loss

of life from floods, the physical and emotional impact of flooding

on individuals and communities, public and private property damage

and disruption, the increased cost for disaster relief and the need

for preservation and restoration of the natural resources and

functions of floodplains. Oklahoma also recognizes that it has

become uneconomical for the private insurance industry alone to make

flood insurance available to those in need of such protection on

reasonable terms and conditions. Recognizing these problems,

Congress enacted the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, which,

among other things, requires the development of a unified national

program for floodplain management which sets out a framework for

national goals towards which agencies at all levels of government

and in the private sector can work each within its own mission and

role.

B. The purpose of the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act

pursuant to the most current version of a unified program for

floodplain management is to:

1. Protect the natural and beneficial functions of the

floodplain, to reduce damage and disruption to property from floods,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 391

to reduce costs of disaster relief and to reduce injury and loss of

life from floods;

2. Assist state agencies, local governments and the private

sector in developing local floodplain management programs and in

obtaining training and funding therefor; and

3. Procure flood insurance for those citizens that desire to

participate in this federal program.