Province Provides Funding for Flood Mitigation in Kelowna

As part of the public safety funding announced in February 2016, the Province of British Columbia is committing $200,000 in funding toward a flood mitigation project in the Central Okanagan that will help protect against flooding in the Lower Mission neighbourhood of Kelowna.

Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson, said: “By investing in infrastructure, we are taking steps to keep communities and people safe from flooding, and protecting important ecosystems in our parks. In protecting our homes, schools and other public infrastructure, we are improving on our overall public safety and disaster preparedness.”

The district plans to complete an engineering assessment and study leading to the replacement of a deteriorating headwall and intake structure on Bellevue Creek and upgrade approximately 185 meters of aging dike that protects properties in the same area.

In February 2016, the B.C. government announced $65 million to help keep communities safe, including $15 million for public safety preparedness and $50 million for community hazard-mitigation projects, such as upgrades to dikes and flood protection.

Since 2008, the Province has invested in 156 projects worth $145 million total ($62 million provided provincially, $46 million federally, and $37 million in funding from local authorities).

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