VICTORIA — Thirty-nine communities throughout B.C. will receive more than $19 million for 46 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) through the Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation (DRR-CA) stream.
This funding is meant to help reduce the impact of future climate disasters by addressing current vulnerabilities.
The projects include:
- Safeguarding the wastewater treatment plant in Merritt and upgrading the Voght Street flood-mitigation pumping station. The pumping station will feature backflow prevention technology to help manage high river flows and protect the community from flooding.
- Improvements to the Toby Creek dike in Invermere. This includes raising dike sections, creating a raised barrier and adding plants for flood protection.
- Replacing the Gold Creek Dam in Cranbrook to double the city’s water storage capacity, prevent sediment buildup and maintain water quality. A fish ladder will also be added to restore fish passage.
- Restoring the Willow Creek wetlands and buried watercourses in Xwémalhkwu territory for flood-risk mitigation. The nation will use natural solutions, such as creating rain gardens, to adapt to climate change and reduce risks.
- Purchasing two Tiger Dam trailers for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to better protect people and infrastructure against flooding. The Tiger Dam system is ready to be deployed on short notice.
The province has invested $369 million into the CEPF since it was established in 2017. Including this intake, approximately $300 million has been provided to local governments and First Nations through the CEPF for approximately 2,150 projects. This includes approximately $197 million under the DRR-CA stream.
The CEPF is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities on behalf of the province.
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