Kaslo is receiving $150,000 to secure its drinking water sources and plan for flooding as part of $40-million in provincial funding meant to protect communities from natural and climate-related emergencies.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness announced Friday that Kaslo's funding will "ensure a sustainable future for Kaslo's drinking-water sources, and planning for flood and erosion mitigation on the Kaslo River by identifying hazards and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events."
It is one of three projects in the West Kootenay that were among the 61 province-wide funding recipients.
"The frequency of climate-caused events is increasing, and managing and reducing these risks is essential," said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, in a statement.
"By supporting communities on these projects, we are helping to better protect these communities and the people who call them home."
Other West Kootenay projects include:
• Castlegar was granted $399,920 for floodplain mapping and hazard risk assessment.
• The Regional District of Central Kootenay and Village of Salmo will use $194,000 to update floodplain and hazard mapping as well as bylaws related to land that is adjacent to flood-prone and steep creek areas.
• The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary received $400,000 to update its flood mapping for Electoral Areas D and E. Area D includes the rural area around Grand Forks, which suffered severe flooding in 2018.
"It's so important to have accurate information when disaster planning," said Kootenay-Monashee MLA Steve Morissette in a statement. "This funding will help communities in the Kootenays identify and manage risks to keep people safe."
