MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Alberta Environment and Parks is seeking public input regarding flood inundation mapping being compiled for the Upper Red Deer River west of Sundre.
“Our primary focus right now is rolling out all of the flood inundation mapping,” said Jason Nixon, area MLA and minister of environment and parks. “The main focus is to work with our municipalities, who have been requesting that mapping, to make sure that the municipalities have access.
“The mapping should help our municipalities with emergency preparedness for years to come. The maps are quite good at being able to determine where water will go (in the event of flooding).”
The province is particularly interested in feedback on draft study hydraulic modelling and flood mapping components, including the draft flood inundation maps, he said.
The proposed maps and related studies are available for viewing on a department’s website set up to gather input: alberta.ca/upper-red-deer-river-flood-study-engagement.aspx.
The site also has a place for comments and other feedback.
The Town of Sundre and Mountain View County has already provided input to the department, he said, noting public input on the inundation mapping is being accepted until Jan. 15.
When technical work on a flood study is completed, draft reports and maps will be provided to impacted local authorities, such as towns, cities, counties, municipal districts, and First Nations.
“Once a local authority completes its technical review and issues are addressed, public engagement proceeds,” he said. “Draft reports and maps are then made available to the public, typically starting with foundational study components like flood inundation maps and followed by flood hazard maps at a later stage in the process.”
Updated recreation partnerships
Meanwhile, Nixon said updated partnerships between the provincial government and operational groups will help guaranteed the long-term viability and sustainability of 170 provincial parks and public recreation sites, including some in this region.
Nixon announced new and renewed maintained partnerships on Dec. 22. He called the agreements good for long-term viability of the parks and sites.
“The Friends of the Eastern Slopes are part of the partnership work we are doing in the West Country, up toward the Ya Ha Tinda area” he said. “The model the department is trying to follow (province-wide) is based on a model that has worked well in our area for a long time where we’ve been able to work with great non-profit organizations to help maintain our remote campsites.
“The people of Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House would be the most familiar with some of these organizations because we work with them every day. We are building on what has worked for us since 1932 in the system.”
Recreational areas with updated government/operator partnerships include Cartier Creek, Burnt Timber, and Fallen Timber, all west of Sundre and Cremona.
“With more Albertans than ever staying in the province, now is the ideal time to ensure we all have access to these spaces and that they remain protected,” he said.
“I am grateful for the handwork of our parks partners and look forward to keeping our parks systems sustainable for future generations. Many organizations and communities across the province have expressed their interest in becoming operational partners.
“Alberta Environment and Parks has successfully engaged with many of these organizations to operate their local campgrounds and day-use areas, including more than a dozen sites that previously did not have operating partners.”
Alberta Environment and Parks expects to “continue working with interested organizations through the long-standing operational partnerships system,” he said.
Further partnership agreements will be announced in the coming months, he said.
