BELLA COOLA FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM GETS BOOST

Media Advisory

Media Advisory - January 24, 2012 1600 hrs

Building Canada Funds approved for Bella Coola airport dike upgrade

The Central Coast Regional District has learned that the Bella Coola Valley community is one of 20 communities across BC about to benefit from greater flood protection thanks to a joint investment by the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

Under the Building Canada Fund- Communities Component - Flood Mitigation, the district has been awarded 2.3 million dollars in matching provincial and federal funding towards a major extension and upgrade of the Bella Coola Airport Dike. Of the communities granted funding, Bella Coola is set to receive the third largest contribution behind the City of Prince George and the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

The award represents a significant effort from the CCRD administrative team under the direction of the elected Board of Directors and signifies a positive step forward towards self-direction of flood management initiatives throughout the region.  

Board Chair Brian Lande stated, “We're very pleased to receive this announcement.  The board of directors has lobbied vigorously for assistance from senior governments as we continue to work to address the many flood hazards on the Central Coast and in the Bella Coola Valley, in particular.”

The district anticipates more involvement in local mitigation projects in coming years.

Media contact: Stephen Waugh, Emergency Program Coordinator
Central Coast Regional District: (250) 799-5291

epc@ccrd-bc.ca


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