Mark Strahl John Les Flood Control Infrastructure Investment

Tuesday January 24, 2012

BC Gov't News

Pumping In Money

Feds and province team up to upgrade flood control infrastructure

Released Marc Wang, BC Gov't Caucus

he District of Kent has received $330,000 for the Hammersley Pump Station Floodbox construction project. The district is now better prepared for flood emergencies thanks to a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.

The announcement made today is aimed at helping Kent meet its pressing infrastructure needs, protecting families and communities' critical infrastructure, and supporting continued economic growth.

"Drainage issues are a major priority for the District of Kent and their residents," said Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Mark Strahl. "I'm pleased to see our government working with our provincial counterparts to deliver real results in our local communities."

"This region is subject to an increased risk of flooding," said Chilliwack MLA John Les. "The Hammersley Pump Station upgrade project will go a long way in minimizing the impact of extreme flooding on homes and businesses in the area. This is much needed infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come." MLA John Les

Funding for 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities was announced on January 24, 2012 by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Shirley Bond, B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General. This funding will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from flood protection in the Cowichan Valley, to stormwater diversion in Summerland, to upgrading the Maple Pump Station in Surrey. Flood protection projects were selected based on local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk.

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. These investments are being delivered through two important programs.

MP Mark Strahl

In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, to support local government infrastructure projects in 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 will assist communities across 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 Base Fund (PT Base Fund) is part of the Building Canada Plan and provides $175 million to each province and territory to address core infrastructure priorities such as water, waste water, green energy, regional and community airports, and safe roads. Of this funding, $23 million was identified for the Flood Protection Program.

Since the beginning of this partnership, the federal, provincial and local governments have committed to 137 projects with a combined total value of nearly $125 million to protect communities against flood hazards throughout British Columbia.

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