VICTORIA – B.C. and Washington State are teaming up to develop a transboundary Nooksack flooding prevention and response initiative.
Premier John Horgan and Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced that they are deepening cross-border co-operation to improve Nooksack River flooding.
Officials noted the announcement came after months of high-level discussions that stemmed from catastrophic flooding in November 2021. The flooding displaced an estimated 500 people in Whatcom County, Wash., led to the evacuation of more than 14,000 people in B.C., and resulted in billions of dollars in damage across B.C. Officials noted flooding in the Nooksack watershed has been a long-standing issue for residents, tribes and First Nations, and government leaders.
“Washington state and British Columbia have a unique role to play in addressing the urgent challenge of Nooksack River flooding,” said Inslee in a statement to media. “Flooding will continue to worsen in the face of population growth, development and climate change, and this challenge is bigger and more urgent than any level of government can solve on its own. Long-term, sustainable solutions will require resources from all levels of government on both sides of our border, and we are committed to working together to leverage input and significant expertise from impacted communities.”
Washington state and B.C. officials will begin initial engagement and process planning this month. They plan to work with First Nations, tribal and local governments, and stakeholders to identify the areas that need co-ordinated work and develop the governance structure and work plan. The two governments plan to announce the details of the Nooksack transboundary flooding initiative in the coming months.
“We are proud to co-ordinate with our Washington neighbours on devastating flooding from the Nooksack watershed,” said Horgan. “There is tremendous expertise on both sides of the border and our work will bring together the necessary resources and the relevant experts to help identify, evaluate and advance solutions so that all adjacent communities are better prepared for the inevitable impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change.”
The two leaders stated they intend for the transboundary initiative to drive the design of projects and programs and identify sources of funding. They added the initiative will build on local efforts on both sides of the border and seek to protect public infrastructure, farms, salmon and related ecosystems, as well as communities both upriver and downriver, particularly those disproportionately impacted by flooding.
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