By Erin Knutson

City of Fernie council Jan. 24 passed an unanimous motion to seek funding for flood prevention from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

The 2023 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Program would provide the funding for the city to embark on Mountview Dike Phase 2 and Coal Creek Bin Wall Upgrades.

“It’s an important step to improving flood risks and critical to our infrastructure – the project would cost approximately $1.98 million to complete,” said Project Engineer Joanna Line.

According to councillors, B.C. is at the height of climate mitigation, and requests for flood protection are immense across the province.

The UBCM would cover the cost of up to $2 million for the completion of the project, with expenses beyond this limit going back to the city, should they arise.

Repairs to the existing structure of Mountview Dike and reinforcements along the Coal Creek Bin Wall by filling voids with materials like cement will help prevent flooding in the event and the probability of natural disasters, according to Line.

“In 2020, the Mountview Dike Phase 1 project, the extension of the existing Mountview Dike, was completed, a portion of the priority three project from the plan. It was funded through a $750K grant from CEPF. In 2021 and 2022, the second priority project, the Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement project, was completed by the city with $4.975 million in funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program,” said Line’s report.

Should the grant be successful, the project details will be finalized this year, with construction slated for summer and fall.

“This is an important asset, and we are in competition with British Columbia being at an all-time high for flood protection. We are fortunate to work on well-managed projects with great engineers,” said Coun. Troy Nixon.

Lead image: The Elk River spilling its banks in Fernie in June 2013.  e-KNOW file photo

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