WHEREAS, hazardous uses of Washington flood plains are occurring and potential flood losses and loss of life are increasing; and

WHEREAS, wise use of our flood plains will promote public health, safety and welfare, reduce future public costs for relief and rehabilitation and contribute to the state's economy; and

WHEREAS, the State of Washington has extensive and continuing programs for the construction of buildings, roads, and other facilities and further, state agencies are involved in the review and approval of water and sewer treatment plants, subdivisions, trailer parks, campgrounds, and many other facilities throughout the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, economic losses due to the December 1975 floods in Washington displayed that flood plain management regulation policy and administration need greater attention in Washington;

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Washington, it is hereby ordered as follows:

1. The heads of state agencies shall provide leadership in encouraging a broad and unified effort to prevent uneconomic uses and development of Washington flood plains and in particular, to promote the public health, safety and welfare and to reduce the risk of flood losses in connection with Washington lands and installations and state financed or supported improvements.

2. All state agencies directly responsible for the construction of state buildings, structures, roads, overnight campgrounds, or other facilities shall evaluate flood hazards when planning the location for new facilities and as far as practicable shall preclude the uneconomic, hazardous, or unnecessary use of flood plains in connection with such facilities.

3. Whenever practical and economically feasible, flood proofing measures shall be applied to existing facilities to reduce flood damage potential.

4. All state agencies responsible for the review and/or approval of sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, interceptor sewers, subdivisions, trailer parks, and other facilities within the State of Washington shall evaluate flood hazards in writing in connection with such review and approval of facilities and take measures to minimize the exposure of facilities, and development which they may induce, to potential flood damage and the need for future state expenditures for flood protection and flood disaster relief.

5. All state agencies responsible for programs which entail land use planning shall take flood hazards into account when evaluating applications for planning grants, when reviewing water and wastewater facility plans, and area?wide wastewater management plan

6. Requests for flood hazard information and hazard assessment may be addressed to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

7. Any requests for appropriations for state construction of new buildings, structures, roads, or other facilities by state agencies shall be accompanied by a statement on the findings of the agency's evaluation and consideration of flood hazards in development of such requests.

8. As used in this Order, the term "state agency" includes any department, commission, division, or other organizational entity of the executive branch of state government.

9. The state agencies shall proceed immediately to develop such procedures, regulations, and information as are provided for in, or may be necessary to carry out, the provisions of this Executive Order.

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