The study would include a flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning.
This latest request is for 150 thousand dollars to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Quesnel has also been short listed for 241 thousand dollars from the National Disaster Mitigation Program.
City Manager Byron Johnson noted that while the study is expensive, it is also very necessary…
“Since 2003 flood plain designations are exclusively a local matter. Previously the Ministry of Environment handled this, but local governments are now responsible for identifying and regulating this hazard. This community has quite a few areas within that flood plain designation, and it’s very important that we update those numbers.”
Mayor Bob Simpson notes that the timing is good…
“The hydrology around us is changing and we are in the process of doing the Official Community Plan and zoning. We’re talking about developing Front Street. We’re talking about developing the North Fraser bench, we’re talking about developing Baker Creek Park, the other side of Baker Creek which is in a flood plain zone. All of this information feeds into a lot of work we’re doing predevelopment.”
Council expects to find out if the zoning applications were successful some time in April.