Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing (CPSP) have released the details of a $22 million program to help communities, rural municipalities and individuals 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," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "This emergency assistance will help communities protect their homes and businesses."
"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," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D. F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said.
"I appreciate the province stepping forward to help urban governments prepare," Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) President Allan Earle said. "This assistance will enhance the efforts already taken by our members to prepare for potential flooding."
"There are several hundred farmyards and rural residences at flood risk in rural municipalities," Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) President David Marit said. "This program will help those individuals to protect themselves and their property."
The program will provide 100 per cent support for engineering to design flood protection works and cost share of a variety of flood protection actions from constructing berms to clearing channel and culverts. Since some communities have already initiated flood damage reduction work, the program will be retroactive to January 1, 2011.
The flood damage reduction program is available to communities, resort villages, rural municipalities, rural yard sites and country residences. The program is not intended to be used for the protection of farmland.
Further 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.
