Since the announcement of the $22 million Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program on February 22, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has experienced strong interest in the program. Seventy urban communities, seven rural municipalities and 25 individual farmsteads are now receiving assistance from the program, with more being approved daily.
"I am delighted with the interest and uptake that the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program has had in such a short time," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "It is clear that people in general and those in leadership roles are taking a proactive approach to the potential risk of flooding this spring."
For most communities, the first step is an engineering investigation by an engineering consultant to determine and design the actions necessary to mitigate flooding. According to the Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan (CES), 13 firms are currently working with engineers from the Watershed Authority to develop flood protection plans for municipalities across the province.
"Saskatchewan's engineering firms have responded to the urgent need to design protective works before spring runoff," CES Executive Director Beverly MacLeod said. "Many firms have adjusted workloads and brought in staff from other provinces to help Saskatchewan communities prepare for flooding."
The Watershed Authority pays full costs for the engineering work. Once the engineering reports are received, the Watershed Authority will sign agreements to cost share the required works with the community or individual.
Under The Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program, municipalities will receive financial support for a variety of flood damage reduction measures recommended by the engineering consultant including construction of berms and diversion works, clearing snow and ice from channels and culverts to improve channel conveyance and sand bagging.
The program, led by the Watershed Authority and the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, is available to communities, resort villages, rural municipalities, rural yard sites and country residences.Specific details about the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program are available at Saskatchewan Watershed Authority regional offices, and on the Authority's website at www.swa.ca.
