Natural Disaster Mitigation

NATURAL DISASTER

MITIGATION

WHAT WE MEAN

We will initiate measures, and press others to take action, aimed at protecting our communities from the impacts of natural disasters.

Newsome Creek Advocacy - Since 2016, runoff in the creek has degraded the steep banks to the point where it is undermining the foundations of several homes and posing a risk to other properties. In addition, runoff from the creek creates an additional strain on the Sorrento Water System due to increased sediment near the water intake. The CSRD has been lobbying the provincial government to fund rehabilitation work, however, suitable funding programs did not exist or were not available. At the 2020 Union of BC Municipalities conference, the CSRD was made aware of a possible funding opportunity through the Building Canada Infrastructure Program - Rural and Northern Communities Grant. CSRD Directors voted unanimously in favour of submitting a grant application in the amount of $6.3 million, which would cover the entire capital cost of the project. The CSRD is still awaiting word on whether the application has been successful.

Geohazard Risk Prioritization Study – A risk assessment report on flood and steep creek hazards for the CSRD Electoral Areas A and B was completed, rounding out the high-level risk assessment work for the entire CSRD area. This report identifies which areas require more detailed flood mapping work in the future and will be used to determine further risk-reduction efforts in specific locations. Flood mapping will be part of a long-term strategy to help with emergency management and land-use planning.

FireSmart program – Building on the success of the 2019 FireSmart program, the CSRD was awarded a $150,000 grant to continue its work. This initiative is designed to increase community and individual resilience to wildfire, which remains the top threat to the safety of people and property in the region. Projects focused on providing education, as well as financial and social incentives, to private property owners to help protect their properties from wildfire. Despite the restrictions around COVID-19, CSRD-trained FireSmart representatives conducted more than 150 individual home and property assessments in 2020. A public education campaign was also launched, including the creation of a branded print and radio ad series, educational articles for local publications and a high-quality promotional video was developed, highlighting the CSRD’s home assessment opportunity.