The Village of Lumby is getting $150,000 in provincial funds to help reduce the risk of flooding in the community.
Announced Thursday, the funding will go towards flood mitigation work for Bessette Creek near Maple Street.
“Disaster can strike at any time. That’s why our government is helping communities all over B.C. to plan and prepare for emergencies to help keep more people safe. The $150,000 in funding for Lumby will boost the ongoing flood mitigation plans that help reduce serious risks to residents,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee.
Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton said the flood mitigation work will be done at the part of the creek that goes along the community’s sewage waste plant and will help mitigate flooding up to the 200-year flood plane level.
“It will also protect the infrastructure for the village for the sewer water plant, and of course prevent any issues with the creek,” Acton said Friday.
Acton said the funding for the village is “fantastic,” but it’s only the start.
“This is a small amount to just do the prep work,” he said, adding the funds will be used for public and First Nations engagement, geotechnical studies and planning for the project.
“That will give us the leverage to apply for full grant funding,” Acton said.
About $2.3 million is going to local governments and First Nations across B.C. through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund under the Climate Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation stream. The funds are designed to help communities reduce risks from climate-related emergencies such as floods and extreme heat events.
The funding also supports the province’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, which outlines a range of actions for 2022 to 2025 to address climate impacts.
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