Kootenay communities will be better equipped to defend against climate change

People in the Kootenays will be safer during emergencies, with provincial funding that will better equip local governments to reduce the risk of disasters.

“People in the Kootenays know that climate change is not a theory – it’s real, and it’s impacting our homes and communities right now,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston.

“Since 2017 our government has been helping communities to prepare for and mitigate disasters, and these latest projects will continue to keep people and properties safer.”

In the West Kootenays, the following local governments will receive funding from the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation stream:

• Grand Forks- C3: Kettle River industrial dike mitigation program
  • $1.6 million
• Fruitvale – Beaver Creek flood management plan
  • $150,000

• Nakusp – Flooding risk assessment and mapping
  • $150,000

• Silverton – Silverton Creek bank and dike improvements
  • $92,500

These are just three of sixty-five communities across the province to receive approximately $56 million for 78 projects from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

This funding will help communities tackle current vulnerabilities, minimize the risk of future disasters and support communities to make informed decisions in the future.

“When it comes to preparing for extreme weather, every rural community has unique needs,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West.

“That’s why we’re supporting municipalities with funding so they can create their own plans and put local knowledge at the forefront.”

The CEPF helps communities to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies by funding local projects and initiatives in several categories. These include disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation, public notification and evacuation-route planning, and emergency operations centre equipment and training.