As part of the Province’s investment of over $80 million in emergency preparedness and public safety, Minister of Energy and Mines and MLA for East Kootenay Bill Bennett announced support for several projects in the Kootenay region on behalf of Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto.

As part of $2.13 million provided to the Fraser Basin Council (FBC) yesterday, $1 million will support the FBC in conducting an inventory and engineering assessment of all orphan or unmanaged dikes in British Columbia. This assessment will evaluate the structural conditions of the dikes and determine the cost to upgrade them to provincial standard and to acquire at-risk properties. The goal of this project is to assess the risks to local communities.

Other regional funding highlights include:

• $600,000 for flood risk assessment, floodplain mapping and flood mitigation planning in Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and Nelson. Each community will receive equal support of $150,000.
• $300,000 for Invermere Toby Creek Armouring & Diversion Bar. Portions of the municipality of Invermere's Wilmer Road are at significant risk of seasonal flooding. When low water levels allow, the site will be reinforced with large rocks and other materials to help divert water and prevent erosion.

This is all a part of a broader set of more than $80 million invested in emergency preparedness and mitigation. Some of these investments, which will have a positive benefit to the Kootenays, include:

• $100,000 to PEP Air to support capital purchases and recognize the effort of the volunteer air search and rescue teams throughout the province.
• $500,000 for deployable communication systems for the BC Search and Rescue Association to assist in communication in B.C.’s backcountry.
• $500,000 to Avalanche Canada to support public education and avalanche alert throughout B.C.
• $32 million to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to be administered by UBCM that will include items like $3 million for flood plain and hazard mapping, $20 million to support structural mitigation and $4.2 million emergency social services.

Quotes:

Minister of Energy and Mines and MLA for East Kootenay, Bill Bennett –

“The Kootenays are a region that has experienced significant flooding in the past, and these funds provide much needed support to local governments to plan and prepare for potential emergencies. This, combined with yesterday’s announcement, provides greater safety and security for the people that live, farm and do business in the Kootenays. By investing in emergency preparedness, prevention and protection, we are building a more resilient region.”

Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto –

“The over $80 million in investments in community emergency preparedness will help us better withstand floods, fires, or earthquakes that could impact our province. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins in every home, in every business and across all levels of government. This funding is another of many provincial investments and initiatives to help keep British Columbians safe.”

Insurance Bureau of Canada vice-president, Western and Pacific, Bill Adams –

“Disasters can have lasting physical and financial impacts on Canadian communities. That is why the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and Canada’s property and casualty insurers are committed to working with all levels of government to help make our country safer, stronger, and more resilient. IBC applauds this important funding announcement, which will help municipalities across British Columbia better prepare for disasters. As a partner in emergency preparedness, IBC will continue to work with all stakeholders to make our cities and towns more resilient in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.”

Quick Fact

• Over $60 million in flood mitigation investments in a number of communities is represented in this announcement. Since 2008, the Province has committed $182.7 million towards flood mitigation projects in over 200 communities in B.C.

Learn more:

March 15 announcement of over $80 million in emergency preparedness:  http://ow.ly/HLN4309YrGO

BC Government flood prevention and planning: http://ow.ly/HeWh3007cDc

PreparedBC provides resources on how to build and emergency kit and how to prepare your family and community for emergencies: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/preparedbc

Follow on Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC and @PreparedBC