The District of Elkford, City of Kimberley and Regional District of East Kootenay will be getting almost $6 million of a $27-million federal and provincial government Flood Mitigation funding program, it was announced today (May 2).

A total of 26 communities throughout B.C. will benefit from a joint investment by the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments and diking authorities covering the remainder of project funding.

Regional projects include:

Regional District of East Kootenay – Fairmont Hot Springs – Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Phase 1: Total Eligible Cost $467,329; Federal and Provincial Share $311,552.

District of Elkford – Boivin Creek Dike and Bank Improvements: Total Eligible Cost $2,381,000; Federal and Provincial Share $1,587,332

City of Kimberley – Mark Creek Flume Stream Rehabilitation: Total Eligible Cost $3,102,873; Federal and Provincial Share $2,068,582.

This joint investment of over $27 million is geared toward 26 flood mitigation projects, which will help communities address existing flood concerns and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from strengthening flood protection with higher dikes in Elkford to upgrading the Mark Creek Flume in Kimberley to protecting the downtown core of Port Alberni. Flood protection projects were selected from local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk, explained a joint media release from the Ministry of Justice, Western Economic Diversification Canada and Infrastructure Canada.

These investments are being delivered through two programs.

In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund to support local government infrastructure projects in B.C. communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. Of this funding, $25 million was specifically allocated to accommodate disaster mitigation projects selected through the provincial Flood Protection Program. Mitigation funds are assisting communities throughout B.C. by providing funding for new dikes, erosion protection, pump stations, flood boxes and other structures to better protect communities from flooding.

The Provincial-Territorial (PT) Base Fund is providing $175 million to British Columbia to address core infrastructure priorities. Under this program, a joint commitment of up to $46.6 million was identified for initiatives under the Flood Protection Program.

“By working as partners, we are preventing the heartache, disruption and significant costs that come from flooding damages to homes, businesses and communities. These projects provide safety for the public and help protect the businesses and industries that provide jobs for British Columbians,” stated Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton.

“Our government is committed to strengthening our communities and protecting Canadians. We know that by protecting our communities, we are delivering on our commitment to provide greater safety for residents, as well as significant economic benefits for British Columbia,” said Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond.

For more information on these funding programs, visit: www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca and www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

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