REGINA — The Ministry of Government Relations is aligning the regulations of The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to the standard of a one-in-200-year flood event.
This change will align the province with the Federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program. A one-in-200-year flood risk is a 0.5 per cent chance of flooding occurring in a given year.
"Ensuring alignment between provincial and municipal efforts is key to maximizing the growth of the province, especially when it comes to critical information tied to safety and real estate development," Saskatchewan Realtors Association President and CEO Chris Guérette said.
"The Water Security Agency (WSA) is committed to helping municipalities build and grow in a sustainable way," Minister Responsible for the WSA Daryl Harrison said.
"WSA has been engaging with communities across Saskatchewan about flood mapping and helping them balance development and flood mapping."
"The RM of Corman Park welcomes the Government of Saskatchewan's move to adopt the one-in-200-year flood elevation standard," Reeve Joe Hargrave said.
"This legislative change not only prioritizes public safety but also strengthens our ability to plan and build with confidence in a changing climate within the flood fringe areas. We appreciate the province's effort to align with federal guidelines, and we look forward to further guidance and potential provincial support to help municipalities like ours adapt zoning bylaws and building policies in a way that balances safety and local development needs. These new guidelines will help form our upcoming discussions with valley residents who live within the flood plain."
For communities interested in more information and details on this change, visit: saskatchewan.ca.
