Ten Alberta communities are receiving funding to mitigate flood and drought risks.
On Thursday, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schultz announced $19 million in this year’s budget for the Drought and Flood Protection Program.
“We’re working with communities and providing local grants because we know that needs differ from region to region and community to community,” Schultz said. “These dollars will build vital flood defenses, improve water storage and defend the critical infrastructure that communities rely on.”
The money will go to 10 projects in eight municipalities and two First Nations.
Community upgrades include:
- building a retaining wall to protect the Slave Lake airport during floods;
- a new berm to safeguard Siksika Nation’s newly constructed sewage lagoon;
- 300 metres of shoreline protection along the South Saskatchewan River to protect the Medicine Hat wastewater plant;
- creating a natural stormwater pond to manage drought risks in St. Paul;
- improving flood protection in the Calgary area by replacing the Landon Ditch; and
- stopping erosion along Carrot Creek to help protect infrastructure in St. Albert.
St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron said the $2.8 million in provincial funding will fill a funding gap in the Carrot Creek project, which will enhance long-term bank stability and help preserve the surrounding riparian area.
“Current adjacent infrastructure such as road crossings and rail crossings will benefit from these erosion protection measures, while ensuring care Creek is resilient and ecologically protected for the long term,” Heron said.
Application for next year’s round of funding will open in October.
So far, the province said a total of $50 million has been awarded to 28 projects through the Drought and Flood Protection Program.
