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Rural Water Control Project Development

Res #: 8-11M
Number: 8
Year: 2011
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: No
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing

WHEREAS numerous municipalities are experiencing damages to public and private infrastructure relative to high water levels, excessive precipitation and/or ground water accumulations over the past two years; and

WHEREAS provincial funding from provincial disaster assistance and flood mitigation programs have assisted with short term emergency repairs, flood mitigation and maintenance of existing water works; and

WHEREAS there is a need for continued support for more permanent solutions in the form of design and development of new water control projects conducive to long-term solutions for many areas lacking adequate water management;

BE IT RESOLVED that the SARM lobby the provincial government to implement program funding to assist with engineering and construction of new water control project development in Rural Saskatchewan.

Response from Honourable D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert, Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing:

Resolutions 8-11M and 9-11M both speak to the need for longer-term flood mitigation, something with which CPSP is also concerned about. The Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP), which was developed in 2011, was targeted at both temporary and permanent flood mitigation works.

The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) typically provides funding to restore infrastructure to pre-disaster condition. However, there are circumstances where enhancements are permissible with additional financial support provided to cover the incremental costs:

  • In situations where the standards (by-laws, codes, etc) have changed since construction and were in effect prior to the disaster, PDAP accepts all incremental costs to achieve this standard, as fully eligible expense under the local municipal claim; and,
  • In situations where an alternative or innovative recovery solution is identified, which prevents or reduces the risk of future similar damage, additional incremental funding of up to 15% of the original restoration costs may be available upon application and prior approval.

CPSP remains committed to assisting municipalities and is currently in discussion with the Federal Government to develop a long term national flood mitigation strategy, which would provide assistance to municipalities beyond 2012. Direct assistance and advice is also available from our Emergency Management and Fire Safety branch (EMFS) for municipalities that need guidance through flood preparation and mitigation prior to spring 2012.

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