The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, along with the ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, announced a $22 million program for communities, RMs and individual property owners to prepare for spring flooding.
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, along with the ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, announced a $22 million program for communities, RMs and individual property owners to prepare for spring flooding.
The Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program will provide technical and financial assistance to protect homes and permanent structures against flood damage.
"Recent runoff forecasts issued by the Watershed Authority indicate a high likelihood of flooding this year, especially in the southern part of the province. This emergency assistance will help communities protect their homes and businesses," said MLA Dustin Duncan, minister responsible for the Watershed Authority.
"Our government has consulted with SUMA and SARM, and will continue to work with them to ensure this program meets the needs of our communities," said Yogi Huyghebaert, minister in charge of Public Safety.
The program will provide 100 per cent support for engineering to design flood protection works, and will cost-share (75-25) on a variety of flood protection actions, for everything from constructing berms to clearing channels and culverts. The program will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011, as some communities have already begun flood damage reduction work.
Rural yard sites and country residences are eligible for 100 per cent of the costs for technical assistance, and 85 per cent of the costs for berm construction to protect property on farmsteads and country residences. Costs to test private water sources impacted by flooding are also covered under the program.
Short-term actions, such as sandbagging, clearing channels and frozen culverts are eligible for 50-per-cent assistance.
The Watershed Authority is contacting communities with known flood risks; other communities or individuals with potential flood risks are asked to contact the Watershed Authority's regional office.
The ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing is organizing meetings with municipal officials to help communities plan for flood risk and set up the necessary organizational structures and resource to respond effectively during a flood. The ministry will acquire stockpiles of rapid response equipment, such as sandbags, to make available to communities.
