PORT ALBERNI – BC NDP MLA Josie Osborne says new provincial funding for local projects means the mid island will be better able to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-caused disasters.
“These projects reflect a shared commitment to proactive, community-led emergency planning,” says Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island – Pacific Rim. “By funding projects like these, we’re building resilient communities that can withstand climate threats, protecting both our residents and ecosystems.”
The following first nations and local governments are receiving funding:
- Uchucklesaht Tribe Government: Shoreline protection analysis
- A shoreline protection analysis will examine nature-based and engineering approaches to shoreline protection that could result in new infrastructure that enhances resilience to coastal storms, flooding and tsunamis.
- Amount: $400,000
- Village of Cumberland: Perseverance watershed initiative
- This project provides hydrometric and soil data to improve understanding of water scarcity, drought and flood issues in the region.
- Amount: $75,000
Across B.C., 46 communities are receiving approximately $41 million for 61 projects. The projects will help reduce the impact of future climate disasters by addressing current vulnerabilities and by supporting informed planning and decision making.
The new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that will enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-caused disasters.
Since 2017, provincial funding programs have provided more than $540 million for about 2,660 disaster preparedness and mitigation projects.