2007-12-07 Flood Hazard Mitigation Works
December 7, 2007: Crews and equipment will soon begin work on two priority flood protection projects in the Chilliwack area, MLAs Barry Penner and John Les announced today.
“These projects respond to the needs of local residents and will help protect our community during times of high water,” said Penner, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “The B.C. Government is taking a proactive approach to keeping the province safe.”
The first project involves adding rip rap rock to armour approximately 250 metres of bank along the Fraser and Hope rivers on the Camp Hope Improvement Project at the upstream end of Chilliwack’s East dike for a total cost of $360,000. The second project will see intake relief wells installed near the Hope Slough inlet facility for a total cost of $300,000. The projects will be funded under the 10-year $100 million British Columbia Flood Protection Program.
“We are taking action now to ensure our communities have the flood protection they need,” said Les, MLA for Chilliwack-Sumas. “Doing this work will prevent further bank erosion, protect public safety and preserve valuable land.”
Flood protection projects for fiscal 07/08 are being selected from those already identified by local governments and provincial staff during this spring’s call for project submissions. A formal call for project proposals for next fiscal will go to local governments in January 2008.
All municipal governments, regional districts, diking districts and electoral areas may apply for funding under the British Columbia Flood Protection Program to build new flood protection works or improve existing ones. Ongoing management, operation and maintenance of new or existing flood protection works remain the responsibility of the local authority.
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