The provincial government will put $20 million towards addressing issues of erosion that occurred at the end of June when communities across southwest Alberta experienced unprecedented flooding.
The provincial government will put $20 million towards addressing issues of erosion that occurred at the end of June when communities across southwest Alberta experienced unprecedented flooding.
Associate minister of recovery and reconstruction Kyle Fawcett was in Canmore Friday afternoon (Aug. 9) to make the funding announcement because erosion is not covered under the provincial and federal disaster recovery program.
"This week we made a decision at the flood recovery ministerial task force to put $20 million toward helping municipalities and communities deal with erosion," he said. "There are seven communities that we have identified in the southwest portion of the province.
"We will be working with the municipalities to determine the exact cost of each of the projects."
The funding is separate from the disaster recovery program, and Fawcett said the province expects communities to take the lead in identifying projects to address creek or river banks erosion from the flood and apply for funding.There is also an expectation the municipalities will take the lead on coordinating mitigation of the erosion of private land in their communities.
In Canmore, that includes work along the banks of Cougar Creek, while in the MD of Bighorn that includes Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw.
"The government of Alberta is going to be there to support rebuilding and work with municipalities to determine what is in the best interest and re-mediate areas that have been eroded," Fawcett said.
