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Flats funded for flood risk assessment and mapping
Twenty-two local and regional governments have been approved to receive their share of more than $3 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support flood risk assessment, mapping and mitigation planning, with the Village of Canal Flats the lone East Kootenay community getting in on the action.
Canal Flats is getting $150,000 for Kootenay River flood risk assessment and flood mapping.
“It’s critical that we invest now in preparedness and disaster mitigation,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Funding these projects is another way that we’re building resiliency in our communities to improve public safety.”
Funding for the flood risk assessment, mapping and mitigation planning component of the CEPF was announced at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September 2017. This funding is part of a $33.5-million plan designed to help communities prepare for, and respond to, disasters.
“Being prepared is about understanding hazards and finding ways to better protect the public,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “This funding will help local governments assess the risks that are unique to their communities and take steps to prevent and prepare for disasters before they happen.”
The CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents. The province provides the funding, which is administered by UBCM and divided into five streams:
* flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning;
* emergency support services;
* emergency operations centres and training;
* structural flood mitigation;
* evacuation routes.
The next deadline to apply for this program is Oct. 25 (Structural Flood Mitigation Intake 2).
On May 10, the province announced a new, sixth stream of CEPF funding for volunteer and composite fire departments. Proponents, including First Nations communities and local governments, will be able to apply for their share of $5 million to go towards equipment and training.
This new funding brings the CEPF total to $38.5 million, with more than $15 million still to be distributed, a joint Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Emergency Management BC media release noted.
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