New provincial rules regarding the building of residences in flood hazard areas are welcome news for Mountain View County, says reeve Bruce Beattie.
On July 15 the Redford government announced that rules are being put in place regarding flood risks, including when it comes to future municipal government approval of developments in floodway zones and flood fringe areas.
In particular, legislative changes will be made this fall that will require municipalities to no longer approve future development in floodway zones, which are areas where fast-moving water can be expected during flood events.
“I think it is clear that it isn't all written yet, be we are supportive of the idea,” said Beattie. “There is a need for the province to backstop municipalities so we can feel comfortable in limiting development in those flood areas.”
Municipalities will be consulted in the coming weeks on the legislative changes, said Doug Griffiths, provincial minister of Municipal Affairs.
Another rule being put in place states that homeowners in flood fringe areas (which are shallower and slower flowing than floodway zones) who do not implement mitigation measures to protect against 1-in-100 flood events will not be eligible for Disaster Recovery Program assistance in the event of future flooding.
“Homes and businesses currently in floodways, and those who utilize provincial Disaster Recovery funds will have a notation on their land title to ensure that future owners of the property are also informed,” said Griffiths.
Regarding that change, Reeve Beattie said: “People have to recognize that if you are in a flood zone you will be eligible for disaster relief. But if you rebuild in the same area (as previously flooded) a second time, the province won't step in.
“It's going to be your own responsibility if you go ahead and rebuild in these areas that are designated as flood zones.”
Asked what that means for areas such as Coyote Creek RV Park, a development west of Sundre that was flooded during recent overland flooding of the Red Deer River, Beattie said: “They will have to figure out how they are going to deal with the area they are in. They are going to have to see what kind of engineering they can do themselves to protect themselves from the possibility of (future) flooding.”
The county has been investigating the possibility of erecting an extended berm along the north shore of the Red Deer River south of Coyote Creek, he said.
“That's still a potential, but it's up to the province to see if they will be kicking in any funding and whether the local area is prepared to put in any funding,” he said.
“What we need to do is find a way to cost-share building that berm, if the province will give us the go-ahead from an environmental and regulatory perspective.”
In May the province announced plans to do flood risk mapping upstream of Sundre.
“We want to see that happen. The province already has the maps for other areas, such as Sundre, and now they will do the mapping west of Sundre,” said Beattie.
The province says there will be funding available through the Disaster Recovery Program for homeowners to rebuild or relocate to a new location outside flood risk areas.
“There will also be funding available through the same program for specific mitigation infrastructure that will protect buildings within a flood fringe area, such as berms, water control infrastructure, raising a house,” said Griffiths.
“Any land made available by Albertans moving out of flood risk areas will be made available for municipal flood mitigation infrastructure or for recreational use such as picnic areas, parks, cycling and hiking paths.”
Sundre-area Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin says the provincial government needs to undertake flood protection work along the Red Deer River in the Sundre area.
“I am actually quite disappointed because they use appropriate words, but their actions don't match what they are putting in writing,” said Anglin, whose riding includes a portion of the Red Deer River upstream of Sundre that was subject to flooding last month.
“As a result of the 2006 flood mitigation plan there is absolutely no question and nobody can deny that Sundre and area is in great need of berms and spurs and flood mitigation processes. That has not happened.
“The only thing they (provincial government) has agreed to do is more study. I can tell you if the community of Sundre had a nickel for every study that has been done, my guess is they probably won't have to pay taxes. I think we need the government to initiate the changes that were recommended long ago.”
Anglin says the province should consult the public about the new flood rules.
“They need to consult with the communities and I hope the government does that,” he said. “People have a lot of common sense on this matter and I just think the government needs to listen to them.”
"They need to consult with the communities and I hope the government does that"- Joe Anglin, MLA
