Funding for flood mitigation

The communities of Oliver and Grand Forks received a combined $1.7 million from the province for climate resilient projects last week.

In a press release Friday, the NDP Caucus said the two towns would be receiving funds the from province's Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation stream.

Oliver was granted $150,000 for improvements along Wolfcub Creek. Meanwhile, Grand Forks received $1.6 million for its Kettle River industrial dike mitigation program. Both are areas prone to flooding in recent years.

"It is vital that our communities are prepared for the risk of disasters." said Roly Russell, Boundary-Similkameen MLA.

"By investing in dike mitigation in Grand Forks and creek infrastructure in Oliver, we are helping mitigate risk and protect community members".

In August, Oliver council requested $150,000 for preliminary design and costing for solutions to mitigate the risk along Wolfcub Creek. The town is looking to complete the upgrades to Wolfcub Creek at a total of $5 million for structural flood mitigation.

The $56 million disaster risk funding will be applied to 65 communities in B.C.as part of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

The province said the investment will reduce the risk of future natural disasters.

"It is vital that our communities are prepared for the risk of disasters. Our communities simply cannot afford to ignore climate change, given the immense costs of disasters. By investing in dike works in Grand Forks and creek infrastructure in Oliver, we are helping mitigate risk and building more vibrant economies," Russell added.